Date:         Tue, 2 Mar 2004 21:16:10 -0800
Reply-To:     vanagon <vanagon@ASTOUND.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         vanagon <vanagon@ASTOUND.NET>
Subject:      Re: best mod for vanagon?
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

I have dreams about 5speed trannys in the Vanagon.
George, perhaps you can enlighten us about the gear ratios vs stock.
Its my understanding that 1st is a bit lower than stock and 4th and 5th
split where
4th is now.  What is the RPM drop in 5th over stock at a given speed like 60
or 70?

Any improvement in mileage?
What's the cost ?

Doug
----- Original Message -----
From: "George Mercer" <Gamercer@AOL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Tuesday, March 02, 2004 8:51 PM
Subject: Re: best mod for vanagon?


> Best mod is a 5-speed transmission.  I got mine from Weddle Industries,
Santa
> Barbara, California.  This gives the old Westy 4 gears with 5% more power
> (lower gearing) and 5% overdrive in 5th.
>
> Fourth (4th) gear goes out to 65 mph comfortably and can go to 70 mph.
> Without a loaded down Westy, I can go up the grapevine, California's
Interstate 5,
> in 4th gear slowing down to 60 at some places.
>
> Fifth gear (5th) gear allows cruising at 75 mph on I-5 and can go to up to
85
> mph at about 4500 rpm.  All this on the stock 2.1 liter engine.
>
> George
> '88 Westy