Frank sez:

> As far as I am concerned, the best engine for the Vanagon is a
diesel and a
> TDi at that. Unfortunately the 1.6 N/A is too underpowered for a
5300 pound
> vehicle. Of course, after I got started with the RV engine I
wanted more
> power and better mountain performance. The SVX and the 2.5 are
interesting,
> but not enough to deal with Kennedy. I had looked into other
conversions when
> I did the RV engine including Audi, Porsche (924 and 944), Volvo
and Isuzu.
> Tried to talk to the Kennedy group. Always brushed off. Tried
calling back
> over their clutch and pressure plate capability. Eleven tries in
12 months.
> Say Vanagon Diesel and you are in the round file. Certainly
agree about the
> drive and test approach. Best I've driven is the 1.9 TD IDI with
a 4.83 rear.
>

Frank, I enjoy but barely understand your posts.

If one was to put a TDI (150ft/lbs or so @ 1900 rpm) into the
vanagon, how does one, in your opinion, go about determining
proper gearing of the transmission. I am mainly interested in a
nice drivable, fuel efficient, Vanagon. The regular WB motors have
generally been "peppy" enough for me, I am not after particularly
fast acceleration or racing from stoplight to stoplight. What do I
miss in overall drivability as I consider mainly 65-70mph road
speed. I seems that to match the TDI motor to the vanagon and to
still go upwards of 70 mph I should consider a five speed. Why is
the diesel less tolerant of high revving than the similar built
gasoline engines? Or, why would I want to drive it over 3500-4000
rpm where both the torque and the hp drop rapidly?

Mostly just curious

Myron Lind
81 Westy