>I have a general question about diesel conversions:
>
>Given the fact that the vanagon transmissions are geared down such that
>you're only doing 65 mph at 4,000 rpm (automatic trans) it would seem that
>diesels which are known for low revs but lots of tourque would not enable
>you to go much faster in your vanagon.  Is this correct or can these turbo
>diesels run at 4500 rpm's all day to keep you movin at freeway speeds?  My
>vanagon does great on roads w/ 45 mph speed limits, its just when i get on
>the freeway that the lacking performance is really noticeable.
>
>Thanks,
>Andrew Fox...  member of Norther Colorado VW Club, if interested please
>pmail me.  Several upcoming shows and events this summer including one at
>the Budweiser brewery in Ft. Collins on June 6th!

If they are anything like Japanese diesels, they should have TALLER
diff ratios than gas engines. But the 1.6 probably just doesn't have
enough power OR torque to pull more than low gearing with the frontal
area it has to push through the air and lift up slopes.

Our 1.8, 2.0 and 2.2 Toyota car diesels are geared to do about 200kmh
(125mph) at their 5000rpm redlines, and they will happily cruise at
140 (or considerably more if conditions allow). The fastest i've done
is 170 in the NA 2.0 Corona, which it will wind up to on the flat;
the NA 1.8 Corollas will do about 140, though I booted one down a
hill to 185 anbd it held this when it reached the flat below. Our
turbo 2.2 Estima (=Previa) has either a fuel or a breathing problem
and doesn't perform so well, but one sales yard example I test-drove
hit 160 very quickly, still accelerating strongly, all on the flat.

I think however that sitting too close to the redline for extended
periods could cause heat problems?
--
Andrew Grebneff
165 Evans St, Dunedin 9001, New Zealand
<andrew.grebneff@stonebow.otago.ac.nz>
Seashell, Macintosh, VW/Toyota van nut