Date: Sat, 30 Jun 2012 13:59:54 +0430
Reply-To: TJ Hemrick <x53gunner@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: TJ Hemrick <x53gunner@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: vanagon Digest - 29 Jun 2012 - Special issue (#2012-424)
In-Reply-To: <4fee58d0.4187e50a.0d79.15c0SMTPIN_ADDED@mx.google.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
Scott,
Good day. Long time since our last quick chat on Vanagon's. I looked at
your website but did not find what I was hoping to see so I'll reference
your post from the Vanagon list (below)
Are you entertaining offers for the 87 double cab syncro? If so, I'd
like to start some dialogue with you about the vehicle.
I agree, the sportomatic was not only innovative (but only to appease US
drivers, it was amazingly efficient for a "slushbox" (and I use the term
hesitantly). It was either 93 or maybe even as high as 96% efficient but
my memory is not what it used to be.
One of the guys on the list (Bruce) built a 3.2 liter Carerra Vanagon with
a G50 transmission (hyd clutch and great syncros) but he sold it and I
believe he's off the list now. It was VERY fast and he caught a lot of
flak from the list for showing pix of his speedo at 120 mph!
BTW, I know you moved some time ago. How is that new location and place
working out for you?
Have a great day,
TJ
87 Syncro
87 Wolfsburg
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Scott Daniel - Turbovans
Sent: Friday, June 29, 2012 3:27 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Short shift for 5 speed
Hi ..
yes Don, in practice it is a 4 speed with 'half a granny' fist gear. ..
however..
VW did not intend for people to start out from a rest in 2nd on that trans
really.
If they did, the shift knob would have 2nd marked 1st, and 1st marked "L" or
"G".
fwiw - there are two turbodiesel syncro vans in my yard right now. One is an
87 Canadian model Double Cab Syncro.
It has "L" for the granny gear.
The other one is a 91 factory europen turbo diesel syncro vanagon ..it has
"G" there on its shift knob for granny gear.
Where reverse is it not 'the big deal' about 2WD vangaon 5 speed
transmissions.
It's where first is.
ALL 'normal' gear shift patterns have 1st forward and left.
And when people hear that a 5 speed came in some vanagons, until they know
otherwise, probably think it's a close-ratio 5 speed with first forward and
left , as is normal.
At least the put reverse near 1st where you'd want it.
But to have the 1st gear lower than you need it to be really normally..
plus back, down and left ..that is just awkard as could be.
Durn shame.
and now there is a close-ratio 'normal' 5 speed that can be installed into
vangans, particularily with a subaru engine.
That's a 5 speed, ( or even 6 speed ) subaru transaxle with a reversed Ring
& Pinion installed in it.
There are a few vanagons with Porsche 911 transaxles installed. I have never
seen or driven one personally, and don't know if they are 4 speeds or 5
speeds...but by golly ..first is where it belongs !
We know darn well that a 'driver's car' like a Porsche would not have
first gear in a odd place like back and left .
Besides..
the 1-2 gear shift is almost ALWAYS in one plane, on any real driver's car.
Trucks, not so much, I'm sure , but any real 'driver's car' will have that
shift arrangement.
'One of these days' - if I ever get to it. I have plan for a 4 speed Porsche
'Sportmatic' trans .
it's a 4 speed manual trans, no clutch pedal ....instead a micro switch ( VW
Squareback has this too, but only in a 3 speed version ) on the shifter
disengages a conventional clutch using vacuum ( I have the control valve and
VW Bug vacuum large canister already ) ..
plus there is a small torque converter too ..
Works quite well, is still a manual trans, and no clutch pedal. And VW
and Porsche did that decades before the electronically controlled
semi-automatic trans, or automated manual of today's crazy modern cars.
Scott
turbovans
