Why'd the PO D&C the cat?  If it was falling apart, you might have bits of
cat material throughout your exhaust.  This would cause your top end
performance to go straight to he**.  It'd be a bit noisy, but you could try
what I did when a cat disintegrated on vacation a couple years ago.  Remove
the muffler and spin a nut onto each muffler bolt so that there is a quarter
inch space between the cat and the muffler.  Drive.  If the muffler is
clogged, you'll feel like you're going like a bat out of hell.  You'll sound
like it, too!

In answer to your question, "No, the holes in the muffler won't
significantly affect your performance".

Good luck,

Karl Wolz
----- Original Message -----
From: "gbasey" <gbasey@LINK2000.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Friday, March 10, 2000 2:07 PM
Subject: Re: Low Top Speed - Help! (revisited)

> First, thanks to those of you who offered suggestions for this problem.
>
> A couple of you suggested the the full throttle switch.  I tested it a few
> minutes ago and it responded as normal.  I was hoping that was it.  Also
> some suggested AFM, I tested all the resistences and adjusted the board a
> while back to no avail.  Finally, the PO gutted the cat (good or bad) so
I'm
> sure it isn't plugged.
>
> While doing the tests I got an idea and plugged the exhaust to see what
> would happen.  This might be a dumb idea but I wanted to see if the
exhaust
> had any leaks.  On other cars plugging the exhaust would cause it to die.
> Not on my van.  The exhaust just vented out the apparent leaks.  Mostly
the
> left side heater box.  the van didn't die, it just choked a little.
>
> Could these exhaust leaks be causing my problems?
> or
> have I been snuffing exhaust fumes to long?
>
> Gary
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM]On Behalf
> Of gbasey
> Sent: Friday, March 10, 2000 11:05 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Low Top Speed - Help!
>
>
> I've been having this recurring and now constant problem with my '80
vanagon
> (California emissions).
>
> At idle everything is fine. Even when I drive at low speeds there's no
> problem.  In fact since I've been working on this problem, I've got the
van
> running better then ever except at higher RPMs. When I depress the
throttle
> fully the van begins to sputter and lunge.  I can't get over 45 mph.
>
> Here's what I've done already:
>
> 1 changed the entire ignition system (coil, wires, plugs, cap, rotor, and
> distributor - was worn) properly set idle and timing.
>
> 2 changed the o2 sensor and the temp sensor (both needed replacement)
>
> 3 cleaned the AFM contact points and checked all ground wires, and ECU
> wiring as per Bentley
>
> 4 checked compression (105-120 all around)
>
> 5 changed the fuel filter, and replaced all vacuum lines
>
> What could be causing this problem?  I'm sure its probably in the fuel
> injection but am at a loss what to check.
>
> I'm located in western Indiana, does anyone know of a good mechanic in
> western/central Indiana?
>
>
> Thanks for you help
>
> Gary
> '80 westy (down but not out)