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Date:         Mon, 23 Jun 2008 11:44:33 -0400
Reply-To:     Mike Collum <collum@VERIZON.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Mike Collum <collum@VERIZON.NET>
Subject:      25 MPG Wasserboxer!
Content-type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

Hi all,

I put a Boston Bob 2.1 engine into my '85 Westy and, after the initial break-in, drove it to Virginia, Tennessee, and North Carolina (I'm in Virginia now).

Anyway, because the engine was still fairly new, I kept the highway speed down to a max of 51 (under 3,000 RPM) and didn't run the air conditioner. I avoided any fast starts and didn't lug the engine and by doing so, I "Averaged" 24.92 miles per gallon (confirmed by GPS) from Thomaston, Maine to Abingdon, Virginia which was just over 1,000 miles with the route I took. The inside of the van was pretty well loaded, too.

For those interested in the configuration (I'll make a full report on that after I get back to Maine), I'm using the entire 2.1 intake system (snorkel and all) with stock 1.9 wiring. The 2.1 AFM works great with with the digijet harness. On the trip down, I used the stock 1.9 ECU with a 1.9 distributor set to TDC. The tires are 185 14 C2 Hakkapeliittas with 40 lbs in the fronts and 50 in the rears. The O2 sensor was disconnected.

I haven't accurately checked the gas mileage since getting here as I've been using the air conditioner, changed to the 2.1 "Digijet" ECU (performance ECU) and have been doing a lot of mixed driving ... mostly in town driving. It appears that I'm only getting about 18 mpg under such circumstances.

Where I'm staying, I don't have an internet connection so communication with you guys will be spotty at best. We'll be attending the West River Westies event in Vermont on the way home and won't be back in Houlton, Maine until mid July.

Mike '85 Westy 2.1


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