Date:         Thu, 12 Dec 2002 17:38:32 -0800
Reply-To:     Paul Archibald <androbus@YAHOO.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Paul Archibald <androbus@YAHOO.COM>
Subject:      Re: air cooled engine alternatives
In-Reply-To:  <CAEOIPKOOCKNBBDDDMBPIEHLCGAA.jeff@tssgi.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

--- Jeffrey Schwaia <jeff@TSSGI.COM> wrote:
> I agree.  I'm not inclined to do much more than 75mph in
> a Vanagon either.
> It was more of a hypothetical question.
>
> How many RPMs does the engine have to turn to go 100mph
> in a Vanagon?  I'm
> guessing 6,500+.  That's hard on almost any motor.
depends on wheel size and gearing too! and also a 5-speed
has the same top end ratio doesn't it? or is there an
overdrive fifth?

not if the motor was designed for it....but you mean a
stock motor...I know.  ;-)
For example the motor in my '66 Land-Rover is a mercury
marine Mercruiser 140! Boat motors are designed for
sustained high rpm use. I never checked with the local
mercruiser dealer, but have been told the engine is good at
sustained 5000 rpm with no problem. Can you imagine me
cruising in an old land-rover at that rpm? I do not ahve a
tach right now, but have caught up to friends with new v-8
land-rovers with it not  much above 3500 from the sound,
and they were going 80!  ;-0  I really need to put in a
tach!  ;-) and a speedo, but the gps works in all my
vehicles as a speedo...
it does get kinda tweaky at those speeds, but has a bent
frame and.. so.... ;-) Anyay, what I am getting is I can
see a well set up engine being able to safely pull
5000-6000 rpm for a short duration, and keep a continuous
4500 for slogging it out on long trips....Guys prove me
wrong? I like to learn te limitations ov my vehicles
engines with a little work into them......on the other
hand, as soon as I finish re-doing the '80 westie and give
it back to Joe, I'll want to find a dead diesel or a blown
wasserboxer westie to use a hourded set of diesel engine
mounts/stuff for a jetta engine. ;-) not for the speed, but
to not slow down on the hills!

Paul


> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List
> [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM]On Behalf
> Of Paul Archibald
> Sent: Thursday, December 12, 2002 3:46 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: air cooled engine alternatives
>
>
> vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> --- Jeffrey Schwaia <jeff@TSSGI.COM> wrote:
> > How many RPMs is he pulling when he goes 100MPH?
> >
> > When I do 75MPH in any of my Vanagons, the engine is
> > turning over 4000RPMs.
> > Without a 5 speed, or a completely different tranny,
> > wouldn't your top speed
> > be limited by the number of RPMs the engine can turn?
> with the 5-speed too....but 4000 rpm? are you afraid to
> go
> above that? Why?  Or will teh wasserboxer nt give power
> above that? I have to admit I am not familiar with the
> power and torque curves on the wasserboxer engine, but it
> should pull on and on above 4000 rpm. the old aircooled
> 1600 was safe at 4500 from my recollection....of course
> we
> did modify them all teh time..  ;-)
> going above that in a vanagon for an extended time is
> stupid as their are not made for that kind of speed,
> brakes, suspension etc...I sure do not want to have to
> swerve at that speed!
>
> of course with the rpm issue, I had never worried about
> engine life as it gives ne a reason to re-build and make
> improvements.  ;-) ....but hae to admit I keep my
> Discovery
> below 3000rpm when I can, and only go above that for
> passing or up hill for a short time(besides with it's
> suspension it's scary  above 65!  ;-0
> ....the vanagon is always below 75 by choice as well but
> that is 'cause you are supposed to be taking it easy and
> relaxing when in a westie! Watza rush?  ;-)
>
> Paul
> '80 westie so not sure of limitations of a wasserboxer...
>
>
>
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Vanagon Mailing List
> > [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM]On Behalf
> > Of Justin M. Mayrand
> > Sent: Thursday, December 12, 2002 1:29 PM
> > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> > Subject: Re: air cooled engine alternatives
> >
> >
> > A friend of mine has a Corvair 6 in his bus - that
> thing
> > flies, and will top
> > 100MPH, though doing so will scare you half to death.
> > ...JMM


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