The stringent 1980s smog laws of Europe - that's a laugh!  The catalytic
converter wasn't mandatory until 1991 or something crazy like that.  The
1.9L engine was designed for North America in mind.

I agree that there is something weird with the 5 ATDC - is should be about 4
BTDC according to other 8.0:1 cr engines.  It is interesting to note that a
lot of the automatic transmission Rabbits are ATDC for the timing.  My mum's
'78 Rabbit has a 1.8L GTI engine set to +5 and it purrs quite nice!

David Marshall

Fast Forward Autobahn Sport Tuning
4356 Quesnel Hixon Road
Quesnel BC Canada  V2J 6Z3
mailto:info@fastforward.ca      http://www.fastforward.ca
Phone: (250) 992 7775           FAX: (250) 992 1160

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-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On Behalf
Of Smola, Tony
Sent: April 9, 2001 7:00 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: VW EMISSIONS CONSPIRACY

I have noticed 2 things that bother me about the 1.9 liter wasserboxer.

1) the understatement by VW of displacement of the motor.....it's actually
somewhere around 1955 cc
2) the detuning of the motor......5 degrees ATDC vs what the motor really
performs at which is any where around 5 degrees +  - 1 degree

Did VW do these things so that the Vanagon would pass the stringent German
smog standards of the 80's?......the black forest dying?

I don"t know but it seems kind of wierd.......Any comments from the engine
gurus?......

Malibu Tony

85'  Westy.....
8 degrees   BTDC
 and 44 degrees (corrected!) full advance..
....Digitool Darrell confirms this is safe.... and I agree.......