Date: Thu, 29 Mar 2012 17:51:57 -0400
Reply-To: Jim Akiba <syncrolist@BOSTIG.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Jim Akiba <syncrolist@BOSTIG.COM>
Subject: Re: towing capacity with big brakes and turbo zetec engine
In-Reply-To: <8CEDB6D64FE2A85-219C-1EDF@webmail-m148.sysops.aol.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
Hey David,
By "zetec conversion site" is the Bostig site? You shouldn't have seen
300 BHP for a trans torque limit on it, we use torque, and we put it
around 220 ft lbs or so as a good guesstimate based on watching people
actively retire their transmissions early on the various lists over
the years. Maybe you saw another site with a listing for the stock
focus trans?
Anyhow in an effort to frustrate all of us, it's not really as simple
as a single number anyhow as it'll vary by both gear, rpm, temp, the
integrity of the case, how much wear/slop... and how fast you're
bringing the torque on (shock loading vs, smoothly bring it up) but
for practical rule of thumb style understanding of it, I think 220 is
safe, we've gone well above that without problem (288 ft/lbs when we
were running 18 psi on the turbo) , but I wouldn't suggest this for a
daily driver. I think Daryl has the best line on it all as he's seen
more of these broken failures than anyone around.
Jim Akiba
On Wed, Mar 28, 2012 at 10:47 PM, David Clarkson <dvdclarksn@aol.com> wrote:
> Sorry, it is a 2WD. Trailer brakes would make good sense to me. Seems that I saw on the Zetec conversion site that the limit of the stock tranny is 300 BHP? That seems a bit high to me and maybe I could see 225 BHP and no more than 175 ft./lbs. torque as being the limit that it might take and then only with synthetic and a heavy duty clutch. Any thoughts on that?
>
> David Clarkson
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> -----Original Message-----
> From: Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
> To: vanagon <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Wed, Mar 28, 2012 5:22 pm
> Subject: Re: towing capacity with big brakes and turbo zetec engine
>
>
>
>
> Don's right ..
> trailer brakes would make the whole affair about 75 % better and safer,
> over no trailer brakes. ..
> in terms of braking and braking while cornering.
>
> stress on the trans under load ..
> if you're real nice to it , it might be all right.
> A trans speicialist might chime in.
>
> I don't think it says if this is a 2WD vanagon or a Syncro AWD one.
> some factor there on the trans I'd think.
>
>
>
> On 3/25/2012 6:34 PM, Don Hanson wrote:
> > On Sun, Mar 25, 2012 at 5:44 PM, David Clarkson<dvdclarksn@aol.com> wrote:
> >
> >> Does anyone out there know what the towing capacity is for a turbo zetec
> >> engine(I think about 180 BHP/ not sure of torque but probably slightly
> >> less) westy outfitted with bigger front disc and rear disc brakes assuming
> >> suspension is in good shape (I have HD Bilstein and getting new progressive
> >> springs). Just thinking about future plans that might involve towing. Could
> >> this setup tow 1500-1800 lbs( Harley on a light trailer or two medium size
> >> 4 wheelers) assuming safe speeds and braking and no extreme hills? Is this
> >> only possible with a Subi 3.3 and upgraded trans/axles? Thanks list.
> >>
> >> David Clarkson
> >>
> > I think you might want brakes on the trailer, too. I've towed all kinds
> > of loads with various rigs and once the towed load gets up there in
> > comparison to the weight of the tow vehicle...the load really 'pushes' the
> > tow vehicle during slow down maneuvers. With some simple electric brakes
> > and the controller properly adjusted, you'd be much happier and safer. I
> > recently pulled a 10' Wells Cargo utility trailer with my wife's Subaru
> > Forester...While the load was OK (about 1200lbs, I guestimate) with the
> > power, under braking, especially when cornering, it was pretty
> > sketchy...brakes on the trailer would have eliminated the tendency of the
> > load to push the rear end around...
> >
> > Somebody will certainly chime in on the reasons you can't do it, I bet.
> > I guess you could, the key word is guess, if you drove with care.
> > Don Hanson
> >
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