Date:         Mon, 2 Nov 1998 23:13:24 -0800
Reply-To:     Björn <bratjen@DIRECT.CA>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Björn <bratjen@DIRECT.CA>
Subject:      Re: TDI conversion
Comments: To: Vanagon@vanagon.com
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

At 11:21 AM 02/11/98 -0500, Michael Sullivan wrote:
>Dear Larry,
>
>I won't be "converting" until next spring/Summer -- I'm still in data
acquiring mode.
>
>One thing that is a MAJOR stumbling block is that the TDI redlines at
4400rpm while the Wasserboxer redlines at 5400. Thus, if you don't change
your gearing somehow, the max speed will be about 70mph at near redline!!!
Needless to say, this is unacceptable.
>
...
70 mph or 112 km/h will be at about 3600 rpm. There is room to go faster -
never mind the speed limits. If your only goal is to go fast get a gasoline
engine. If you want torque and fuel economy go Diesel. Longer gears increase
economy and decrease vibration which seem to peak at about 3800 rpm (120
km/h). You could also get larger rims and tires which further reduces the
rpm at comparative speed.

Björn Ratjen

Mill Bay, B.C. 

1987 Syncro Est Alia (self camperized)
1995 Passat TD
(1982 Vanagon Diesel)
1979 VW Bus (self- camperized)