Date: Fri, 26 Sep 2008 21:18:17 -0700
Reply-To: Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Subject: Re: Why don't we have these kinds of Pop top here in the USA
"Atlantic "
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hmmm...........
can't say I have, but I also haven't had that van on a trip for about a year - just in-town use, and I don't usually check that kind of mileage.
when I did take that 85 Wolfsburg Weekender with 2.1 engine and auto trans on a trip a year ago.......it got a most disappointing and unacceptable 16 mpg.
Since then I have D load rated tires that I feel have less rolling resistance.........and that faired over top ..........
it might do 17 mpg.
What I find hard to do is not drive 'em too fast.
I'm driving an 83 Westy right now...........2.1 engine, 1.9 fuel system, manual trans.......
and it wants to go 70 or faster effortlessly. It just loves jamming along . Driven that way I got a 17.4 mpg.
Driven closer to 65ish I saw a 18.2 mpg I think.
I don't think a faired over westy roof rack would even get half an mpg more. more like a few tenths of an mpg more, if any.
----- Original Message -----
From: Jake de Villiers
To: Scott Daniel - Turbovans
Cc: vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com
Sent: Friday, September 26, 2008 9:00 PM
Subject: Re: Re: Why don't we have these kinds of Pop top here in the USA "Atlantic "
Did you notice a change in gas mileage Scott?
On Fri, Sep 26, 2008 at 8:44 PM, Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@turbovans.com> wrote:
I faired over the top of my Wolfsburg Weekender front roof rack.
I went low tech with fairly thin plywood, supported underneath, and put insulation in there too.
I put some of those bracket thingeys on so I could tie stuff on there if I want.
I'm pleased with it, though I would do it in place on the van next time I think.
I did it with the front roof rack on saw horses, and it's a bit floppy, and I didn't keep it exactly in the right plane while attaching the top plywood, so the fit going back on was not exactly correct on one side, but it doesn't whistle or leak or anything and doesn't seem to hurt anything .
I'd do it to any Westy front roof rack.
----- Original Message ----- From: "Jake de Villiers" <crescentbeachguitar@GMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Friday, September 26, 2008 8:31 PM
Subject: Re: Why don't we have these kinds of Pop top here in the USA "Atlantic "
Thanks for posting that again Chris - I'm always amazed at how well the
Dehler-Profi Hightop flows air and how pathetic the Westy luggage rack does.
Every time I see those pix (and I have them on my hard drive) I want to make
a Lexan luggage rack cover. Some day....
On Fri, Sep 26, 2008 at 7:04 PM, Chris S <szpejankowski@gmail.com> wrote:
The front luggage rack creates a LOT of turbulence and drag. Yes, frontal
area is the same but with the rack the drag is much higher.
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b7/misterpolak/Misc%20VW%20nuttiness/windtests.jpg
2008/9/26 Mike S <mikes@flatsurface.com>
> At 08:11 PM 9/26/2008, Michael Snow wrote...
>
>> I can't imagine that the aerodynamics are significantly different.
>>
>
> Ditto. The surface area is the same, and the area which has been moved
> back is a very small fraction of the total front end area.
>
> The V is a box on wheels, there's not a whole lot to be done to
> _significantly_ affect the aerodynamics. I suspect the single biggest
> difference would be from having the underbody panel with which AC gas
> heater models were equipped (cuts a lot of turbulence). I'm biased,
> I've got one. :-)
>
--
Chris S.
Disclaimer: "Death and serious injury may occur"
--
Jake
1984 Vanagon GL
1986 Westy Weekender "Dixie"
Crescent Beach, BC
www.crescentbeachguitar.com
http://subyjake.googlepages.com/mydixiedarlin%27
--
Jake
1984 Vanagon GL
1986 Westy Weekender "Dixie"
Crescent Beach, BC
www.crescentbeachguitar.com
http://subyjake.googlepages.com/mydixiedarlin%27
