Date:         Thu, 14 Oct 1999 14:24:55 -0400
Reply-To:     Bob Donalds <bostneng@FCL-US.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Bob Donalds <bostneng@FCL-US.NET>
Organization: Boston Engine Exchange
Subject:      Re: 85 Westy - need more POWER
Comments: To: KENWILFY@AOL.COM
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

KENWILFY@AOL.COM wrote:
>
> I had some interesting discussions with Bob at Boston Engine lately
> reguarding how to get more and power AND reliability out of the waterboxer.
> His answers were very interesting, rather cheap and basically fly in the face
> of conventional wisdom (bigger valves, more compression, etc) yet makes alot
> of sense.  If you are interested I would email Bob about it or maybe he could
> share his ideas with the list.
> Here is his email address: bostneng@fcl-us.net.
>
> Thanks,
>
 lets start with higher compression ratios there is aprox .04% power
increase with each point of increase in compression so thats what 3 hp
on a 1.9. I find this to be true at the same oil and head temps. the
problem with this is that higher compression ratios engines run hotter
Its a fact that hotter the heads the less power the engine makes and the
engine is much more likely to have abnormal combustion (ping)and thats a
very bad thing for any engine.heavy loads like climbing mountains is
severe duty more compression wont help. so do you want to make more heat
for your waterleaker? NO I have seen the head gaskets fail in 2 years if
the lower radiator fan speed is not working. so boosting the compression
ratio would have the same effect under load more heat and that is not a
good thing for power or engine life. I dont know what the fuel is like
in overseas but the gas in the states sucks and thats a problem for
extra loads of high speed or steep incline.
keep your rpms up thats where the power is and keep the engine as cool
as possible
I like stock there is no simple way to boost power without paying the
price of shorter engine life.
drive on
flame on
Bob Donalds