Date:         Thu, 2 Sep 2004 13:32:31 -0700
Reply-To:     Alistair Bell <albell@UVIC.CA>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Alistair Bell <albell@UVIC.CA>
Subject:      vanagon top speed, was Re: Double cab for sale/engine longevity
In-Reply-To:  <200409021952.i82JqvDi004036@deimos.aros.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; delsp=yes; format=flowed

someone  stated that he had his vanagon up to 112 mph. To see what
power is required to overcome drag at that speed have a look at this
old posting by Martin Jagersand.

http://gerry.vanagon.com/cgi-bin/wa.exe?
A2=ind9812E&L=vanagon&P=R3587&m=75604


Remember, that would be power applied to the road, not some
manufacturer's or estimated engine output.


Martin calculated a drag curve from some data points:

  Speed (m/s)  Total drag (kW)
       ----------------------------
          15.00         -7.99
          20.00        -19.69
          25.00        -34.74
          30.00        -53.15


Last entry, 30m/s, -53.15 kW converts to 67.3 mph, 71.275 hp. I will
leave it up to the reader to calculate power required at wheels to
overcome drag at 112 mph (49.9 m/s). Leaving rolling resistance out, I
think I recall that wind resistance is a square function of speed and
power required is a cube function.


Alistair

'82 westy, diesel converted to gas in '94

http://www.members.shaw.ca/albell/

On 2-Sep-04, at 12:51 PM, Mark Edwards wrote:

>> I have to say congrats on your accomplishments. 112 mph is very
>> impressive I enjoy going very fast also but the forces that are put
>> on a
>> vanagon at this speed are unknown or at least only known by the guy
>> that
>> was operating the wind tunnel the day the vanagon rolled in. I would
>> say
>> 112 mph in a vanagon is not only dangerous for you but for any child
>> riding in a car on the same road as you.
>
>
> Child!!! Shoot,.... what if he hits TJ's RV and ruptures the diesel
> fuel
> tank!!!  :-)
>
>
> Mark
>
> (everyone sees its just sarcasm, right? <g>)
>