Here on the Northcoast of California we've got 6,7,8 % roads. My '87
Westfalia is an AUTO which is wonderful in town drinking coffee or on the
flat interstate but a little more umph OR a 4 speed auto would be nice. The
3 speeds got such a huge  gap  between 2nd and 3rd on hills. Most of the
time I  I just sit back relax the Westfalia is what it is ... kind of like
with the '60 in a split window Westfalia  (on hills)  get that 40hp  going .
But the Vanagon is a lot different than the 40/50 hp Split window  Westfalia
on the flat.     Lloyd  -----Original Message-----
From: Kim Brennan <kimbrennan@MAC.COM>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Date: Monday, February 02, 2004 9:02 PM
Subject: Re: Anyone running a Oettinger powered Van( or completed van) ?

>The problem with the grades in Colorado is that they are so LONG. In
>WV, the grades are shorter, but can be equally steep. In the eastern
>section of the state, you have the problem that you keep encountering
>the grades, about every 10 miles (in the Ridge and Valley section of
>the Appalachian Mountains). In the western section of West Virginia,
>the grades are more or less continuous. First up then down. In the
>Eastern section if you are traveling in a northeast/southwest direction
>you can travel long distances on relatively flat terrain, but if you
>are traveling Northwest/Southeast, you hit those ridges every 10 miles.
>
>Unfortunately, US interstate highways use a lesser standard than the
>Autobahn in Germany. Grades are steeper (6% though waivers can make
>that higher, versus 3%) and the roads are straighter (and more boring).
>
>Vanagons hitting grades over 6% tend to not be able to maintain speed
>in 4th gear. At least with stock North American spec engines. Even on a
>6% grade, my syncros have trouble maintaining 70 with the stock engine.
>