Rodney,
    When I "souped up" my engine, I really only brought out the power that
was basically already there.  I added parts to reduce HP loss to unbalanced,
out of harmonic balance, restrictive intake and exhaust.  I did things to
improved the life of the engine not detract from it.  Yes, I applied
modifications that are done to racing engines and if I drove it like a race
car (RPMs top out 5000 to 10,000 RPMs) then I would not expect it to last,
BUT I do not drive that way.  I generally drive the speed limit.  I have been
doing testing at greater speeds, simply because my five speed tranny drops
the RPMs below that of a stock four speed.  I wanted to simulate the RPMs
that a four speed turns to try to give an expectation others can expect.

<<...You're not going to get excellent gas mileage in a Vanagon, but I'll bet
it
is better that what you'd get after all the conversions to "soup-up" the
engine.>>

The changes I have done have increased the mileage, the longevity and the
reliability of the engine along with the power.

The changes do not add much to the actual cost of a rebuild Vs the an engine
swap.
I could have done more changes to further improve the power, but chose not
too.

Robert