Rob,

I used to have a Jetta GLI with the 1.8 L 16V motor.  It was a little low on
low-end grunt but pulled like mad above 3000 RPM.  How is your experience
with the 2.0 motor in the heavier Vanagon?

----- Original Message -----
From: Rob & Lrae Winterkorn <volksman@enteract.com>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Monday, July 24, 2000 12:09 AM
Subject: Re: Engine Conversion and MPG

> My 2.0 16V Passat powered Vanagon has been getting at the lowest pulling
my
> 1983 Starcraft pop-up at an avg. speed of 70 mph: 18 mpg.
> When my wife drives it around town she gets 21-24 mpg.
> I tend to enjoy going fast so I get between 20-23. Was pulled over for
going
> 80 mph pulling the camper last month. He let me go with a warning. He was
a
> nice Illinois state trooper.
> This is based on using the stock transmission, 93 octane gas, stock size
> tires and using the trip meter.
> I will be making a 600 mile road trip this week I will try the mile
markers,
> and an average over the entire trip and post the accuracy.
> I plan on porting the heads and installing a chip in the near future with
> the hope of increasing the gas mileage.
>
> This van (Lord willing) will be at Busses by the arch in September. I will
> be glad to take list members on a ride possibly even drive it for those
> interested.
> Lee & Tom, two list members have had this opportunity. I know it was the
> deciding fact for Tom to convert his Westie and for his brother. I have
not
> heard from Lee yet since he and his wife took it for a little spin.
>
> I have been enjoying the discussion on conversions and have held back on
> several occasions to jump in.
> I think Ken said it all with doing what ever it takes to keep our beloved
> Vanagons on the road, and out of the yard.
>
> Rob
>
> from the words of sam-i-am: don't knock it till you try it.
>
> David Ricketts wrote:
>
> > I was a little surprised to hear some of the MPG quoted with engine mods
> > and conversions.  I believe one person said he had 30mpg with a Bus and
> > someone else had 25mpg with increased horse power.
> >
> > Can anyone comment on MPG above 22mpg.  Are you getting it with a
> > conversion or modifications or stock.  I am dripping along at 16 mpg,
> > with a motor that doesn't have a lot of power.
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > David