Vanagon EuroVan
Previous messageNext messagePrevious in topicNext in topicPrevious by same authorNext by same authorPrevious page (June 1999, week 1)Back to main VANAGON pageJoin or leave VANAGON (or change settings)ReplyPost a new messageSearchProportional fontNon-proportional font
Date:         Fri, 4 Jun 1999 10:53:32 PDT
Reply-To:     Mike Finkbiner <mike_l_f@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Mike Finkbiner <mike_l_f@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Speed and RPM (was 4spd to 5spd conversion)
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed

Volks -

I imagine that this discussion has run thru the list several times in the past? The important thing to remember when you are comparing speeds is that speedometer accuracy isn't guaranteed. Even if it is right on factory spec, different circumference tires will change the indicated speed at a particular engine RPM.

When I drove across country in my '87 Westy, with 185R-14 Michelins on the front and no-name 195-14 6-ply snows on the rear, my indicated speed was 70 at 4100 RPM. As far as I know it's a stock 4-speed manual. A couple of times I tried running at a steady 60 while timing myself aginst the mile markers and found that it was taking a little bit less than a minute to go a mile, so my ground speed was faster than my indicated speed.

If I understand it correctly, the speedo reads a front wheel. The tach reads engine speed, so larger rear tire circumference will reduce the RPMs needed to go a particular speed. If you put different circumference tires on the front and rear, that will change the ratio of indicated speed to RPM as well.

So - if you want to talk about how fast you can travel at a particular engine RPM, it might be best to check your speedometer so you can adjust what it is showing to actual ground speed.

- Mike Finkbiner '87 Westy

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Date: Fri, 4 Jun 1999 08:11:09 -0700 From: Karl Wolz <wolzphoto@WORLDNET.ATT.NET> Subject: Re: 4spd to 5spd conversion

Not sure where you guys are coming from on this. My 1.9 will cruise all day @4000 (my personal red line). That's around 75 mph.

Karl Wolz

----- Original Message ----- From: Robert Lilley <vwvanman@EXCITE.COM> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM> Sent: Friday, June 04, 1999 5:59 AM Subject: Re: 4spd to 5spd conversion

>There is one incorrect assumptions here. > > > re: "I don't like to be going 65 and feel that I am > > overworking my little engine." > > > > There are two incorrect assumptions here. > > > > 1. "Little engine" will pull Vanagon at 65mph at lower > > rpms. > > > >The 2.1L Wassserboxer CAN pull the vanagon at 65 with a .70 fifth gear RPMs >@3100 with some simple "bolt on" performance parts, because mine does. > >Robert

_______________________________________________________________ Get Free Email and Do More On The Web. Visit http://www.msn.com


Back to: Top of message | Previous page | Main VANAGON page

Please note - During the past 17 years of operation, several gigabytes of Vanagon mail messages have been archived. Searching the entire collection will take up to five minutes to complete. Please be patient!


Return to the archives @ gerry.vanagon.com


The vanagon mailing list archives are copyright (c) 1994-2011, and may not be reproduced without the express written permission of the list administrators. Posting messages to this mailing list grants a license to the mailing list administrators to reproduce the message in a compilation, either printed or electronic. All compilations will be not-for-profit, with any excess proceeds going to the Vanagon mailing list.

Any profits from list compilations go exclusively towards the management and operation of the Vanagon mailing list and vanagon mailing list web site.