Date: Fri, 20 Nov 1998 10:34:38 -0500
Reply-To: James Wagner <wagner01@EROLS.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From: James Wagner <wagner01@EROLS.COM>
Subject: Re: simple engine RPM question--need shifting advice
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
I generally try to keep it in the 2K - 3K range and just don't force the
engine. There is some power down as low as 1500 but if I am down there, I try
to hardly open the throttle at all. It's just a case of matching performance to
needs. Hardly ever do I need to do a jack-rabbit start or hard acceleration in
any gear. I just open the throttle a bit a wait. And I've reached my
destination every time.
I think the danger with lugging the engine is simply pushing it beyond it's
capability...allowing too much pressure in the cylinder, which is easily avoided
with good throttle control.
I've noticed on numerous other cars I have driven lately (Honda Civic, Ford
Tempo, Ford Mustang LX) that they tend to be geared and most easily used with
engine operating at speeds that would stall my Vanagon in a second. Really low
rpm, but smooth, quiet, and enough power to full up into the meat of the power
band. The engines actually feel really rough operating any higher than 2.5K or
so. Interesting.
"Pollard, Matthew" wrote:
> When shifting and accelerating, i try to keep it below 4K. At about 4K i
> seem to feel my rig's power lower off and i just feel bad when i push beyond
> that! When cruising freeway speed, again below 4k, more like 3.3K.
> later
> matthew
> 84 rig
> 67 bug
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Phillip Bouton [SMTP:pbouton@NACCHO.ORG]
> > Sent: Friday, November 20, 1998 6:46 AM
> > To: vanagon@VANAGON.COM
> > Subject: Re: simple engine RPM question--need shifting advice
> >
> > I also have been perplexed by the same issue. The manual says to stay in
> > the green. On my 87 Westy that is between 2 and 4k rpm. Europeans would
> > rather sacrifice an engine to save gas in the long run because gas is so
> > expensive. In my van it seems that in order for the next higher gear to
> > start around 2k, you definitely need to be shifting around 3500 or higher.
> > Otherwise the next higher gear will be between 1.5 and 2k. However, I
> > can't say that I do this consistently because it is so hard to let myself
> > rev the engine that high in the lower gears. Does anyone have any
> > reassurances or other comments?
> >
> > ><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>:-)
> > Phillip Bouton
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Jarod Bishop [ <mailto:jbishop01@FOXINTERNET.NET>]
> > Sent: Thursday, November 19, 1998 7:38 PM
> > To: vanagon@VANAGON.COM
> > Subject: simple engine RPM question
> >
> > I recently bought an '87 Syncro. Having never owned a VW, I'm not used to
> >
> > running the engine at a higher RPM rate like people have told me.
> >
> > The speed seems to max out at around 3500 but I give some more gas and get
> >
> > it past 4k before shifting, but I've heard you should go atleast 4.5k or
> > 5k. I was hoping to get input on what others typically run their vans at
> > before shifting up.
> >
> > Thanks
> >
--
James Wagner
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