Date:         Sun, 6 May 2007 22:08:35 -0700
Reply-To:     Don Hanson <dhanson@GORGE.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Don Hanson <dhanson@GORGE.NET>
Subject:      New camshaft in an Inline four Vanagon
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="Windows-1252"

Hi, not on topic, but since I had to remove the head from my Cabriolet 1.8 liter motor(in an 84 van), I went with a different cam.  The VW car guys all like this cam as a street cam, and I gather that some of the forced induction cars use it, too.  It came from Auto Tech at just $129 and shipping.  The rap on the VW tuner sites is that it gives about 10-15 hp, mainly at mid range, shaded up the rpm scale.  With a mild duration of 270 degrees, it is not very radical and has just a little increase in valve lift, which made special springs optional...

  So, I can't tell the difference in the way the car idles.  Starts just a little different..maybe half a rotation more before it fires.  Has more power.  I now have just enough...rather than just almost enough...I get up hills that used to cause a backshift from 5th to 4th...without dropping below about 65..For the money, a great improvement.  Could have done the whole cam swap in probably 2-3 hours..

  Now I am thinking...Subie..or maybe just a supercharger or a used turbo for this little 4 banger..If I get the urge to keep tinkering on this van...of course, I should probably have two, right?  One of em a Syncro...?

  Don Hanson