I just repaired a 2.3 engine for a customer it threw a rod at 8k the top
compression ring had .004th wear something I had never seen.
When I test assembled the engine after the crank hand been repaired I
discovered that the compression ratio was 10.5 to 1
this explained the top ring wear HEAT.
I spent many hours trimming the combustion chamber and measuring the CC's of
the heads and pistons to get the engine down to a 9.20 to 1 ratio

There is no simple way to reduce the compression ratio of the larger piston
longer stroke engines and the higher compression ratios are not a good thing
for the vanagon engines longevity
whats your compression ratio?

good luck
Boston Bob

----- Original Message -----
From: "Jim Davis" <SyncroHead@AOL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Monday, September 06, 2004 12:34 PM
Subject: Re: [Syncro] 10K update-2.3 H.O. WBX from Unique Imports

> In a message dated 9/5/2004 9:41:46 PM Pacific Standard Time,
> jahsurf@aol.com
> writes:
> Ok so here's the lowdown on my 2.3L Waterboxer from Unique Imports in
> Mission
> Viejo Calif. I had it put into Veronica Fraga's badass Syncro that I
> bought
> this summer and drove across the US with.
> <snip>
> The motor thus far has moved my 87 Adventurewagen hi-topped Syncro Westy
> about 10K miles. Westy has custom gears and 15 inch wheels with TAKO'
> BFG's.
> Runs around 3600 RPMS at 72 MPH.
> <snip>
> It got only around 17-18 mpg. This was cured by advancing the timing.
> <snip>
> Now 19-21 easy.
>
> Power: Exceptional. Gobs at mid range RPMs. Pulled my heavily laden, bull
> bumpered AW Westy with 15 inch wheels up every CA, Oregon, Utah and
> Wyoming
> interstate grade at no less than 50-55 MPH in 3rd gear. Pulled many in
> 4th.
> Even with AC on, I was able to motor with traffic   along i-10from Phoenix
> to OC
> in 100 degree weather without worry generally at 70 to 75MPH. That is
> UNTIL I
> hit Palm Springs at 105 degrees with a 30 MPH headwind going up the rise
> out
> of
> Palm Sprs with AC, it sunk down to 55-60 MPH. As another example for
> SoCalifornians: there is a rise on 1-5 south in San Clemente from Pico to
> Palizada. In my previous 86 stock, poptop Syncro Westy, if I floored it
> coming
> into this
> hill, I could maintain 55-60. With this motor, if I do the same thing, I
> can
> maintain 70-73--easy.
>
> <snip>
>
> Oil Consumption. Around 1/4 to 1/3 a quart every 3K miles.
>
>
>
> Chris,
> I'm glad to hear your success with your new engine.  For all your speed,
> distance,and mileage figures above did you correct for the larger size of
> your 15"
> tires?  If so what correction factor did you use between stock tires and
> your
> new size?
>
> Regards,
> Jim Davis