Date:         Wed, 23 Nov 2005 23:20:51 -0500
Reply-To:     Kim Brennan <kimbrennan@MAC.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Kim Brennan <kimbrennan@MAC.COM>
Subject:      Power and brute force
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed

So, I recently drove from DC to Chicago in my Westy (with the 6
cylinder Subaru engine) towing a 1500 pound enclosed trailer. I took
the turnpikes, and we fought a 30 mph headwind. We had difficulty
maintaining 65 in Ohio (when the wind was the worst). We got about 9
mpg.  (typical for me when NOT towing a trailer is about 15 mpg). On
the way back (a slight tailwind), we got over 11 mpg with a higher
average speed.

230hp, for me, is just about enough. For others, who don't have to tow
a trailer, it's probably way more than you need.

Oh, yeah, here in WV we're getting the 2nd dusting of snow. The SVX
engine weighs a lot more than the stock engine. A couple of times
coming down Shenandoah Mountain, my tail end tried to swing around and
go first. Good thing I have a syncro. A little gas, and we corrected
that issue each time it occurred. Still an invigorating experience.



Kim Brennan
86 Syncro. 91 Westy Syncro. 90 Tristar
Vienna VA. Sugar Grove WV.