Date:         Sun, 1 Nov 1998 20:35:14 EST
Reply-To:     Modl6971@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Michael Modl <Modl6971@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Wheels, once and for all, Bill in Lake Tahoe.
Comments: To: davidson@SIERRA.NET, Vanagon@vanagon.com
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII

In a message dated 11/1/98 1:11:43 PM Pacific Standard Time,
davidson@SIERRA.NET writes:

<< One thing to consider if you have a Syncro and want to go off road with it:
 Larger wheels mean that your wheel rims will be closer to the rocks.
 You will have less air between the wheel and the rocks.
 I have a Syncro and I'm staying with stock 14" wheels.
 Bill
 90 Syncro Westy
 Lake Tahoe, CA >>

 Hi Bill, I have a syncro too. I have 16" wheels with 215-65-16 tires.  I have
more rubber between the rim and the pavement than stock setup with the 14"
rims.  Handling is great and the syncro looks like what it should look like.
It filled in the gap in the fenders. The van rides about 1.5 inches higher.
An indicated speed of 70 MPH really is 70 MPH now. Before and so are all other
vanagons, an indicated speed of 70 really is 66 MPH.  Top end speed increased
with the same RPM, acceleration is a little slower.  I plan on a set of new
tires with more rubber in future, they will be 215-70-16 or 225-70-16.  I will
loose takeoff torque the bigger the tires are, but give the syncro the look it
should have been given to begin with.  Kyle Wades $825 horse power kit will
compensate for the loss in torque, but really isn't necessary.  Anyhow, enjoy
beautiful Lake Tahoe, it's a great place.  See ya, Michael , North Bend, WA
(Looks like Lake Tahoe too )
 87 syncro
 87 quattro