It is a common misconception that lowering the engine RPM will increase
top speed, fuel economy or make the engine last longer. The easiest way
to drop the RPM is to change the 4th gear from the stock .85 to a .77.
These are readily available. Larger tires are also an option. Dropping
the RPM more than a few hundred will result in your needing more
throttles to overcome wind resistance and climbing ant hills. The
Vanagon engine is short stroke (Under Square) that does not make torque
at low RPMs. I've had a number of people go the low gear route and they
are either disappointed or ready for an engine upgrade. BTW, IF you live
in an are that requires the IM 240 dyno test, the lower gears increase
the NOX and make the hill climb part of test almost impossible to pass.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
Of Jonce Fancher
Sent: Wednesday, November 12, 2003 8:08 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: ring and pinion question

hi all
is there a better ring and pinion to put into a 85 vanagon? the vanagon
trans and the late 2s have the same ring and pinion? i know there is no
access on the side of the trans. is there a way to drop the rpm from 4k
to 3k and still cruise at 70-75 mph?? i have a spare trans that is good
and im considering some mods to it before is swap it into the 85.
thanks c-ya Jonce