Date:         Wed, 16 Mar 2005 21:04:45 -0600
Reply-To:     wlail@OU.EDU
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Warren Lail <wlail@OU.EDU>
Subject:      2400 miles in 5 days (and conversion diversion)
Content-type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Just returned to Oklahoma from my trip to NC.  With my driving around while there, I drove about 2400 miles in five days,
and 1055 of that was today!  Yep, 19 hours on the road and I'm still awake (credit good coffee).  No problems at all,
and thank goodness for that.  Average gas mileage was 20.1 for the entire trip.

I talked to a friend for a good long while the other night and we agreed that for us, at least, the ultimate Vanagon
engine conversion would be to install a Porsche engine and tranny in a late model Vanagon.  Dump the radiator
and hoses and all of that stuff, and install a good propane furnace for heat.  This would provide all of the power
one could possibly want, no water leaks ever, and heat on demand.  The only thing we could not agree on was
which Porsche engine to install.  My vote was for one of those 100 HP 4-cylinder models.  My buddy voted
for a 6-cylinder model.

My WBX is running great and I'm satisfied with 95 HP, but the conversion diversion came up while discussing the merits
of VW buses over a round or two of Highland Brewing Company ales at a little pub in Asheville, NC.

Warren Lail
88 Westy "Billy Bones"