Date: Wed, 13 Dec 2006 12:27:59 -0800
Reply-To: Jon Tromp <tromper@COMCAST.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Jon Tromp <tromper@COMCAST.NET>
Subject: Re: I'll bite on the diesel---safety and getting flipped off
In-Reply-To: <C8F3F743-A296-4191-96E7-F387AC145F29@knology.net>
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I'll nibble on this one just a tetch,
Living in the aforementioned Washington (Pugetropolis area), & having owned
two different Diesels (not counting a parts van or two), with 4 different
engines, & three different transmissions I have a bit of a diverse opinion.
I never did use a TDI, I really don't think it's worth that kind of money,
but if I came accross a deal on one I'd probably do it.
First- Stock motor. Yup it's slow, both of my stock motors wore out while
I had 'em. The first one was kinda weak, even for a stock diesel, the
second was OK for stock diesel but still pretty slow from word go. You
learned patience, & planning for all things. They both got 25 to about 30.
I've heard of better but it's hilly country around here. I think I got 35
once in the first one (5 spd)when I was on the aforementioned WA Oregon
coast (no worries on the bridge, I crossed it about 6 times one day while my
lady used the camera, handling is an issue of how ya drive it if you respect
that you're in an underpowered brick, & don't feel the need to do 90 in high
winds you're fine.
First "safety" For the most part the tailgators, & others didn't bug me much
cuz though my motor was weak, it was in the back if they hit me,& my brakes
were fine if they tried to play moron games. I was generally going to slow
for them to want to play their little games. Being behind me they abhorred
& tailgating didn't make it any more pleasant. They'd rush past me, &
attempt to cut me off to prove themselves, but I was generally a bit sloweer
then they though so by the time they'd do that they'd be more then far 'nuff
ahead so I could react easily if necessary. Ergo no "safty" issues from
road ragers. Far as getting flipped off. Either ignore 'em if you see 'em,
or respond by nodding your head (accepting their invitation), or hold up
your hand with your forefinger, & thumb about an cm or two apart, & shake
your head no. ("sorry too small") It can be priceless if they figure out
what you mean.
Next "safety" issue. Lack of power up hills. I'm not sure which pass he
was doing. I was through the cascades on the backroads etc. Yup it was
slow. No worries, I was there for the scenery. Just stick it in the truck
lane, & away I go. I acknowledge I don' thave a westie so it wasn't the
slowest available but I could keep it over 25.
If Lance Armstrong wanted to pass me up the grade he could, but any cyclist
not in that league would be hard pressed. I salute your wife sir.
I upgraded the first one to a 1.8 gas digifant II setup, around 100 horse.
I kept the stock trannie, so it wasn't fast, but was a little quick. I will
admit to having a bit of fun at stop lights. It was drivable, quiet, & got
mileage in the mid 20's to about 30. Same as both stock diesels.
When, after many miles of reving cuz of the tranny I blew that up, I picked
up another body shell, cuz my old one was beat. That had a stock diesel
that went a bout year after straightening out issues from the moron who
owned it before me (I started using his list of things he'd done as a
checklist to repair)
A bit stronger then the other one, but eventually that motor died, & I
installed my current setup. 1.6 turbo diesel with intercooler. I've never
dyno'd it but the specs on those seem to run 'round a hundred horse.
roughly the same as the digifant II in that respect with a little better
torque. This time I swapped the trans for one that was out of an 84, non
westy. It's not quick since it really should have the aircooled tranny in
it ,but those are a bit tough to find. Nonetheless. Mileage varies from
about 23 if I live on the fuel, & keep it above 65 on the highway to 30 (my
lady pulled 32ish once) if I keep it mellow. It can do eighty something in
the flats, & keeps up fine in the passes (sorry Lance).
In conclusion.
Drivabilty. Doubling the HP works just fine, & the stock ones are drivable,
just a different kind of driving.
"Safety" - my fav 00's buzzword. Bad drivers are bad drivers whether it's
road rage (temporary bad driving) or a more permant condition. They're an
issue regardless of horse power. If you take the time to learn to deal with
the lower power motor it's not too bad, & actually kind of a relief since
you know you can't make up the lost time there's no point in trying (a
common cause of "road rage" is being behind & trying to make it up by
weaving in traffic).
Join the Dork Side!! Get a diesel!!
Tromper
82 Intercooled TD.
Seattleish, WA
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On Behalf
Of Jim Felder
Sent: Wednesday, December 13, 2006 6:48 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: I'll bite on the diesel---safety and getting flipped off
Seldom do I read a thread on diesel Vanagons that doesn't include
references to both safety
> We were being unsafely passed by double trailer gravel semis going
> up a long pass, Montezuma Grade, out of the So. Cal desert across
> the San Deigo mountains..We were even passed by my wife on her
> bicycle, going up a 9% climb..Slooow!
> So, even if you were to double the hp by all kinds of mods, it
> would still be dangerous to drive due to it being so slow as to
> cause a hazard and to cause other drivers to pass unsafely due to
> their frustration..
>
>
and references to the one-fingered salute that diesel Vanagons seem
to earn from other drivers.
> but, if you aren't in a hurry and don't mind a few One finger
> greetings as people speed past...we got dozens in the canadain van
> in just 2 hours...about 60 miles..Hee hee.
> Don Hanson
>
In respect to those issues, I have two comments.
I drive both a diesel and a gas Vanagon. I drive them in all kinds of
places and in all kinds of conditions. I have never been flipped off
by another driver that I am aware of. Maybe it's that my area of the
country (the south) is more laid back, though you wouldn't know it to
drive our Interstates. My point is that getting flipped off has as
much or more to do with the people of an area than what you happen to
be driving.
On the safety issue, can one EVER be passed safely by a double
trailer gravel semi? And does anyone on the list know of a driver
actually being rear-ended or otherwise harmed in a diesel vanagon by
driving it even among a bunch of impatient morons?
I've never heard of such an accident on the Yahoo! diesel vanagon
group (which is worth a visit if you're planning any kind of
conversion to diesel--there are several conversions that provide the
oomph you're looking for and match the diesel's slower RPM to the
gear ratios available for the Vanagon) but it is presumed so often
that I wanted to ask the question.
Sure, slow vehicles like diesel Vanagons bring out the worst in
impatient, dull-witted 24-year-olds who are late for work driving
cars with 280 horsepower and 0-to-60 times of under five seconds. But
guess what? So does just about everything else.
Jim