Date: Tue, 12 Oct 2004 22:31:37 -0400
Reply-To: "P.Dooley" <pdooley@VERIZON.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: "P.Dooley" <pdooley@VERIZON.NET>
Subject: Re: 101 MPH Vanagon!
In-Reply-To: <vanagon%2004101219432655@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Do you live in Florida? Traveled on the interstates much there?
I-75 is a racetrack, especially going south towards Naples. 90mph is
common. It's even worse through alligator alley, I remember driving my
Audi at 100mph and having convoys of traffic pass me in the fast lane.
I understand that higher speeds are dangerous, but speed differences are
a lot more dangerous. I couldn't imagine driving my Vanagon through
there at 60-65mph and having people wiz past me with a 40mph
differential.
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
Of Bike Florida
Sent: Tuesday, October 12, 2004 7:43 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: 101 MPH Vanagon!
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