----- Original Message -----
Subject: Re: Air Intake Project

> Gary--
>
> You have the Air Flow Meter pinned WFO, when it's on gasoline?
> Hmmmmm-----
> Interesting.

No, of course not. I only tried that while on propane.  Propane does not
need the AFM.  Gasoline of course does.

> So therefore, you are by-passing the computer when it is on gas.
> The computer thinks that the AFM is wide open all the time?
> More interesting------
> I have a hard time understanding how in the hell, the thing would even
> run at low speeds without blubbering, due to an over rich signal coming
> from the AFM, to the computer.
> I just can't see it functioning like that.
> And you can't realize any different fuel economy whether it's on propane
> or gas?

No, when on propane it uses about 15% more fuel.  Also proportionately more
air than with gasoline because propane can run 16:1 or higher.
I do not notice any difference in propane fuel consumption when the AFM is
blocked open, or is in the normal state with the spring loaded door in
place.  I guess maybe I cannot extend that observation to gasoline though.

> Propane delivers less MPG than dino fuel, so I would think that there
> would be a significant difference.
> And let me reiterate, the shortest distance between two points is a
> straight   unobstructed line, and you start adding flappers, elbows, and
> butterflies, the path become choked, regardless how you look at it.

Agreed.  But with the vanagon, it's not worth it.
Get the head to flow better first.

> So in theory, I ain't buying it.
> I believe that there is a way to cause the Vanagn to get more air, but I
> think it would be labor intensive, and monetarily cost prohibitive, for
> the small increase in overall performance gained.
Agreed.

I guess I did not explain what I was doing very well.  Trying to write to
fast.

Maybe I'm missing something here, but this is what I think:
Other than at WOT, the throttle butterfly is partially closed.  So you are
only asking the air intake system to deliver a small percentage of what it
was designed to deliver.  Even if it is undersized,  the intake system
should be good enough for 90% of all your driving.  Who drives around at
WOT -- at redline -- in a vanagon?

Gary