Thanks Ben,
Yes, I noted the green pie shaped area on the tachometer and at 4300 RPM it
is on the cusp. Somehow the speed seems best at 4000 and also seems like a
holiday ride with no big hurry needed to get there. If I am in a hurry I can
always drive in my Mercedes which can cruise at 110 or more if needed and I
don't get caught by the john d'arms.

I did not know about the oil issue. Thanks for that tip.

William P.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Ben McCafferty" <ben@kbmc.net>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Monday, December 10, 2001 7:05 PM
Subject: Re: Tiico convert question

> Hey William,
> I bet you'll get widely varying opinions on this, but here's mine
> nonetheless.
> The syncro tach has a green pie-shaped piece to designate the "safe" range
> of RPMs.  The green area goes from 1500-4500 overall.  However, the edges
of
> the pie slice are hashed green and black, indicating you're getting near
the
> limits.  The hashed areas go from 1500-2000 and from 4100-4500 (solid
green
> from 2000 to 4100).  From 5200-5400 you have hashed orange and black, and
> from 5400 up you have solid orange.  When running at 4000, I am indicating
> about 71-72 mph.  At 4500, I'm indicating about 85 mph.
>
> I also have about 40K on a factory rebuild, and I found that on long trips
> (i.e. SFO to Albuquerque and back), running 85 I would use about 1/2-1 qt.
> of oil per 1000 miles.  When I dropped it back to about 70-75 mph, I
stopped
> using oil almost entirely.
>
> Being somewhat conservative about my cars, I decided that VW probably
didn't
> intend for the Wasserboxer to burn oil in addition to gasoline, and I
cooled
> my jets a bit.  I don't cruise in the left lane anymore, but I also don't
> have as much to worry about on the stopping end either (you're right about
> braking).  Getting bigger tires didn't hurt either--a natural way to slow
> yourself down <g>.
>
> I am sure the Tiico can easily hit 100mph in terms of power, but you
> couldn't pay me enough to drive a stock vanagon 100 mph.
>
> Like Karl, I no longer exceed 4000 unless passing or pulling a hill where
I
> need a little extra before shifting up.
> bmc  :)
>
> "Faith will move mountains, but you'd better bring a shovel...."
>
>
> > From: Karl Wolz <wolzphoto@WORLDNET.ATT.NET>
> > Reply-To: Karl Wolz <wolzphoto@WORLDNET.ATT.NET>
> > Date: Mon, 10 Dec 2001 19:47:18 -0700
> > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> > Subject: Re: Tiico convert question
> >
> > William,
> >
> > You need cruise control!  Set it to cruise at a speed you know the van
is
> > comfortable with and you won't creep up to a speed that you're
comfortable
> > with.
> >
> > I limit myself to 4K, BTW.
> >
> > Karl Wolz
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "developtrust" <developtrust@HOME.COM>
> > To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> > Sent: Monday, December 10, 2001 7:35 PM
> > Subject: Re: Tiico convert question
> >
> >
> >> I just have a regular 2.1 water cooled engine (factory rebuilt 35,000
> > miles
> >> ago) and find myself cruising at 80 MPH at about 4300 RPM. Going with
the
> >> flow of traffic. My concern is whether or not 4300 RPM is too much for
> > that
> >> engine at that speed. It sounds good. Handles well. Of course I keep
lots
> > of
> >> space between me and the cars in front as I notice I need some stopping
> >> distance with the Vanagon.
> >>
> >> I do try to stay at 75 MPH or less. It seems more comfortable but
everyone
> >> else on the freeway is going 75 to 80 or more so I tend to get up to
speed
> >> with the flow of traffic and hit the cruise control then lay back.
> >>
> >> Any comments?
> >>
> >> William P.
> >>
> >> ----- Original Message -----
> >> From: "Sean B." <vgonman@EARTHLINK.NET>
> >> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> >> Sent: Monday, December 10, 2001 6:29 PM
> >> Subject: Re: Tiico convert question
> >>
> >>
> >>> I was able to get to 90mph yesterday. IIRC it was only spinning at
> > around
> >>> 5k RPM (The motor is rev limited to 6300 RPM). I have an automatic
> > trans.
> >>>
> >>> Sean B.
> >>> '90 V'gon, "Happy Bus", pseudo Wolfy
> >>> Torrance, CA
> >>> Join the TiiCo registry at
> >>> HTTP://www.vgonman.com
> >>
> >
>