Date: Sat, 16 Oct 2004 22:38:25 +0200
Reply-To: Calle Fallberg <calle.fallberg@TELIA.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Calle Fallberg <calle.fallberg@TELIA.COM>
Subject: Re: aerodynamics, was: 101 MPH Vanagon!
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ProjectZwo had some bolt-on stuff that was supposed to help
Not sure if it was aerodynamic or just apperance help but anyway, a rear
wing, side skirts and a deeper air dam
But I guess the best thing to do to reduce drag would be shorter (lower)
coilspring, smaller mirrors and narrow rims and tyres :-)
And the Vanagon is not all bad, if you check Cw value and not bother about
front area (Cw x A) itīs actually supposed to be better than a Jaguar E-Type
!
Calle
----- Original Message -----
From: "Antaki" <wrack@COMCAST.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Saturday, October 16, 2004 7:22 PM
Subject: Re: 101 MPH Vanagon!
>I was being tongue-in-cheek with my comment about a rear wing.
>
> Sorry to say, I haven't heard of any aerodynamic fixes for any model of
> Vanagaon,
> with the exception of the air dam such as those that came stock on my '88
> Wolfsburg edition.
>
> At this point, the air dam had been knocked loose by too many meetings
> with
> ground objects, although that is exacerbated by the Wolfy's stance being
> lower than normal by more than an inch, a factory mod.
>
> My Syncro Westy, on the other hand, did not come with the air dam, nor
> would
> one survive very long at all on this beast. ;->
>
> Wait, I just found this page using Google, there must be more.
>
> good luck!
>
> Ron
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: tmiller [mailto:tmiller@vcmails.com]
> Sent: Saturday, October 16, 2004 8:17 AM
> To: Antaki
> Cc: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: 101 MPH Vanagon!
>
>
> Now that you mention it, what are the aerodynamic "fixes" for Vanagon
> campers? I suppose this is in the archives somewhere, but I'm just
> shooting from the hip at the moment. I know someone mentioned a
> deflector for the luggage area above the front seats. You mention an
> air deflector at the rear. What are the possible add-ons to reduce drag?
> Thanks! TEMiller
>
> Antaki wrote:
>
>>OK, so we;ve gone over the "why" factor and the "surprise the hot-rod"
>>factor. Now it's time for the "shock" factor - install a bloody big
>>wing on the back of that Vanagon!!
>>Bwahahahaaa...
>>Ron Antaki
>>
>>-----Original Message-----
>>From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
>>Of Bruce Nadig
>>Sent: Tuesday, October 12, 2004 4:16 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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