Date: Fri, 30 Dec 2016 19:11:40 -0800
Reply-To: Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: 094 5 Speed kit
In-Reply-To: <CALsWj8mq7jy5pCJB+QSCKf1vdBQ_gomc7bXDdrxBrQP9YSxTFg@mail.gmail.com>
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Good points.. If you install a big torque motor behind a factory Vanagon
transmission, you are exceeding the design parameters of the transmission.
You'll need to learn to drive differently, if you can, or plan on breaking
things.
Our Vanagons are pretty heavy and their WBX motors have a wide torque
band, sure..117 ft/lbs?..that is not big torque, so we're not speedy, but
you floor it, and go as fast as it'll take you. Nice and simple...
When you add a TDI, a Subaru, supercharged inline, or another big torque
motor..and you use all it's torque, you're asking for breakage in the
drive line... especially if you are banging low rpm short-shifts or driving
hard on variable surfaces.
Vehicles are designed as complete systems. The transmission was made to
withstand what a WBX motor puts out, torque-wise, probably not much more.
I'm running an inline VW with a bit more Horsepower but only a little
more torque... I have to run higher RPM to achieve better performance, but
I don't stress the transmission that much more with larger turning force
(torque).. The trade-off is the ABA motor was designed as part of a
passenger car, fairly light, so I've learned to NOT ask this light car
motor to grunt at low rpms against the almost 5000lbs I usually weight in
my Vanagon... It's not a lugging low rpm motor, especially in a Vanagon,
but you probably could drive it that way in a stock sedan, (the car it was
designed for)
I'd be diligent about keeping high quality lube in the transmission,
maybe even add a temperature gauge, and apply all that big torque
gently...Or spend more money and install a strong Porsche turbo tranny 😂
On Dec 30, 2016 4:19 PM, "C. Abney" <tsudonimh@gmail.com> wrote:
> It appears that many who have swapped to higher powered motors, bigger
> wheels, and or overloaded their vans with accessories have had to
> rebuild their transmissions frequently. That is becoming more clear
> as time goes on.
>
> Be modest about what you do change, and don't change your driving
> habits from what you'd normally do given that you are driving a
> vanagon. That's the take-home lesson I got based on my readings.
>
> On 12/30/16, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com> wrote:
> > In addition to the .73 fifth gear what final drive (ring/pinion) ratio
> are
> > you running and what size ties? All of this factors in.
> > While it appears that reducing engine rpm is an ultimate goal there are
> > disadvantages. It takes continuous horsepower to overcome wind
> resistance.
> > Horsepower is a function of torque and RPM. Reduce the RPM and torque
> has to
> > increase proportionally. Increased torque then becomes increased stress
> on
> > everything. So you save some fuel but decreased transmission and engine
> life
> > become victims. Keep in mind that the base of these transmissions were
> > developed for engines less than 60 HP and vans somewhat lighter and with
> > less frontal area than ours. These transmissions do not like torque over
> > time. Also, keeping the engines running under load, pushing with more
> boost
> > to get the job dome makes for an NOx emissions issue.
> >
> > Dennis
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
> Of
> > Darrell Boehler
> > Sent: Friday, December 30, 2016 9:16 AM
> > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> > Subject: Re: 094 5 Speed kit
> >
> > Hi Jason,
> > I use a 0.73 ratio 5th gear from Weddle on my 86 vanagon 094
> > transaxle and it works fine. I have a tdi ahu converted to a tdi afn. I
> have
> > 20k miles on it and am happy. If you are staying with the same size tires
> > you might want to go to the 0.70 ratio. I rarely need to down shift on
> the
> > highway.
> > Midwesty
> >
>
>
> --
> It seems my TO-DO list is a FITO (faster-in-than-out)
>
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