Date:         Tue, 12 Oct 2004 20:55:05 -0400
Reply-To:     GEORGE J GREEN <gjg9003@ESU.EDU>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         GEORGE J GREEN <gjg9003@ESU.EDU>
Subject:      Re: 101 MPH Vanagon!
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

 
Hell, the look on someone's face as an old VW cruises past them at 101mph is enough of a reason for me.  I saw a Vanagon Camper on the road a week ago and I had to go about 50mph just to get a nice look at it.
 

 
________________________________

From: Vanagon Mailing List on behalf of Bike Florida
Sent: Tue 10/12/2004 7:43 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: 101 MPH Vanagon!



Why do you need to go that fast? I sure am glad you aren't driving where my
family travels.

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Bruce Nadig
Sent: Tuesday, October 12, 2004 7:16 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: 101 MPH Vanagon!

Howdy All,

As of last Wednesday, I successfully completed my first 1,000 miles in
Project Vanagon (Vincent) since I installed the '87 Porsche 3.2 liter
Carrera engine and G50 transmission. Over the weekend my buddy, and Porsche
Master Technician, Steve came over, and we (mostly Steve) adjusted the
valves. I still need to do an oil and filter change, but that should happen
in the next couple of days.

Anyhow, today I had to drive down to San Antonio to take care of some
business. That gave me my first extended trip in the van, and it was on
fairly straight, although frequently congested, Interstate 35. On the way to
San Antonio I was able to achieve 101 MPH in 4th gear (the G50 'box is a
5-speed). I would have kept going, but I had to slow for traffic. For a
brick, 101 isn't too bad.

On the way home, I had a couple more opportunities to let Vincent stretch
his legs. Once again I got him up to 101 mph in 4th but had to slow for
traffic. The greatest achievement of this second top speed run is that it
was uphill, into the wind. Vincent was still pulling hard and accelerating
in 4th as I went uphill. Once again, I ultimately had to slow for traffic.

I have a set of South African Big Brakes, but I haven't installed them yet.
I did, however, realize one additional braking characteristic of the
Vanagon: if you lift off the throttle at 101, the van itself acts as its own
aerodynamic brake. Man, once you are off the gas things things slow down
FAST.

I wish that traffic had been a little bit lighter so that I could have gotten up a bit more steam and seen what Vincent would do in 5th. All in
all, I can't complain. 101mph in 4th, uphill, into the wind makes me happy
for now.

By the way, I feel very confident that the indicated speed was accurate. I
have had my speedometer calibrated. In addition, I went through a
construction zone that has one of those portable radar trailers that
displays your speed. At that time it displayed 73mph, exactly what was
showing on my speedo.

Once I got closer to Austin I did have one of my first stealth encounters. A
silver Honda with all sorts of decals and a huge can hanging off the back
passed me. Traffic was light enough at that point that I was able to thread
my way up to him and take hi by surprise. I don't know what was going
through his mind, but I'd like to know what he was thinking.

Now I need to make arrangements to get some dyno time.

Cheers,
motorbruce@hotmail.com


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