Date: Tue, 12 Oct 2004 19:57:55 -0500
Reply-To: Bruce Nadig <motorbruce@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Bruce Nadig <motorbruce@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: 101 MPH Vanagon!
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed
Not to worry, I waited until the road was completely clear for a long
distance. The weather was clear and dry. Visibility was excellent. Myself, I
don't want to die. This was merely a test of performance. The only cars on
the road around me were well ahead of me (until I reached them, but I had
slowed by the time I got to them.
On the other hand, think of all the times you have seen people on the
Vanagon list saying that they cruise at 80+ consistently? An extra 20 isn't
that much, especially under these conditions. I don't make a habit of
driving like this, but I did want to see how it would do.
In addition, I have made a number of other modifications to the Vanagon. I
am running wider Porsche Boxster S wheels so that I have more rubber on the
road. I'm using sticky tires (to fit the Porsche wheels) for better control.
I've also modified the suspension for better control. The van has been
lowered with H&R lowering springs and I'm using Bilstein shocks all the way
around. This, combined with the tires/wheels has improved handling greatly.
There are several reasons I installed the Porsche engine. First was the
technical challenge. Second was improved performance. I think we can all
agree that 94 hp just doesn't cut it. I primarily use the extra power for
acceleration and not for speeding. Hey, I used to have a very hopped up VW
G60 Corrado. I had to sell it just to buy the motor for this van. Anyhow,
between the Corrado, my BMW R1100S motorcycle, and now the modified Vanagon,
I haven't received a speeding ticket in over 7½ years. I can't remember the
last ticket I got before that.
Cheers,
Bruce
motorbruce@hotmail.com
>From: Bike Florida <bikeflorida@EARTHLINK.NET>
>Reply-To: Bike Florida <bikeflorida@EARTHLINK.NET>
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>Subject: Re: 101 MPH Vanagon!
>Date: Tue, 12 Oct 2004 19:43:25 -0400
>
>Why do you need to go that fast? I sure am glad you aren't driving where my
>family travels.
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
>Bruce Nadig
>Sent: Tuesday, October 12, 2004 7:16 PM
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>Subject: 101 MPH Vanagon!
>
>Howdy All,
>
>As of last Wednesday, I successfully completed my first 1,000 miles in
>Project Vanagon (Vincent) since I installed the '87 Porsche 3.2 liter
>Carrera engine and G50 transmission. Over the weekend my buddy, and Porsche
>Master Technician, Steve came over, and we (mostly Steve) adjusted the
>valves. I still need to do an oil and filter change, but that should happen
>in the next couple of days.
>
>Anyhow, today I had to drive down to San Antonio to take care of some
>business. That gave me my first extended trip in the van, and it was on
>fairly straight, although frequently congested, Interstate 35. On the way
>to
>San Antonio I was able to achieve 101 MPH in 4th gear (the G50 'box is a
>5-speed). I would have kept going, but I had to slow for traffic. For a
>brick, 101 isn't too bad.
>
>On the way home, I had a couple more opportunities to let Vincent stretch
>his legs. Once again I got him up to 101 mph in 4th but had to slow for
>traffic. The greatest achievement of this second top speed run is that it
>was uphill, into the wind. Vincent was still pulling hard and accelerating
>in 4th as I went uphill. Once again, I ultimately had to slow for traffic.
>
>I have a set of South African Big Brakes, but I haven't installed them yet.
>I did, however, realize one additional braking characteristic of the
>Vanagon: if you lift off the throttle at 101, the van itself acts as its
>own
>aerodynamic brake. Man, once you are off the gas things things slow down
>FAST.
>
>I wish that traffic had been a little bit lighter so that I could have
>gotten up a bit more steam and seen what Vincent would do in 5th. All in
>all, I can't complain. 101mph in 4th, uphill, into the wind makes me happy
>for now.
>
>By the way, I feel very confident that the indicated speed was accurate. I
>have had my speedometer calibrated. In addition, I went through a
>construction zone that has one of those portable radar trailers that
>displays your speed. At that time it displayed 73mph, exactly what was
>showing on my speedo.
>
>Once I got closer to Austin I did have one of my first stealth encounters.
>A
>silver Honda with all sorts of decals and a huge can hanging off the back
>passed me. Traffic was light enough at that point that I was able to thread
>my way up to him and take him by surprise. I don't know what was going
>through his mind, but I'd like to know what he was thinking.
>
>Now I need to make arrangements to get some dyno time.
>
>Cheers,
>motorbruce@hotmail.com
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