Now that you mention it, what are the aerodynamic "fixes" for Vanagon
campers?  I suppose this is in the archives somewhere, but I'm just
shooting from the hip at the moment.  I know someone mentioned a
deflector for the luggage area above the front seats.  You mention an
air deflector at the rear.  What are the possible add-ons to reduce drag?
Thanks!
TEMiller

Antaki wrote:

>OK, so we;ve gone over the "why" factor and the "surprise the hot-rod"
>factor.
>Now it's time for the "shock" factor - install a bloody big wing on the back
>of that Vanagon!!
>Bwahahahaaa...
>Ron Antaki
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
>Bruce Nadig
>Sent: Tuesday, October 12, 2004 4:16 PM
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>Subject: 101 MPH Vanagon!
>
>
>Howdy All,
>
>As of last Wednesday, I successfully completed my first 1,000 miles in
>Project Vanagon (Vincent) since I installed the '87 Porsche 3.2 liter
>Carrera engine and G50 transmission. Over the weekend my buddy, and Porsche
>Master Technician, Steve came over, and we (mostly Steve) adjusted the
>valves. I still need to do an oil and filter change, but that should happen
>in the next couple of days.
>
>Anyhow, today I had to drive down to San Antonio to take care of some
>business. That gave me my first extended trip in the van, and it was on
>fairly straight, although frequently congested, Interstate 35. On the way to
>San Antonio I was able to achieve 101 MPH in 4th gear (the G50 'box is a
>5-speed). I would have kept going, but I had to slow for traffic. For a
>brick, 101 isn't too bad.
>
>On the way home, I had a couple more opportunities to let Vincent stretch
>his legs. Once again I got him up to 101 mph in 4th but had to slow for
>traffic. The greatest achievement of this second top speed run is that it
>was uphill, into the wind. Vincent was still pulling hard and accelerating
>in 4th as I went uphill. Once again, I ultimately had to slow for traffic.
>
>I have a set of South African Big Brakes, but I haven't installed them yet.
>I did, however, realize one additional braking characteristic of the
>Vanagon: if you lift off the throttle at 101, the van itself acts as its own
>aerodynamic brake. Man, once you are off the gas things things slow down
>FAST.
>
>I wish that traffic had been a little bit lighter so that I could have
>gotten up a bit more steam and seen what Vincent would do in 5th. All in
>all, I can't complain. 101mph in 4th, uphill, into the wind makes me happy
>for now.
>
>By the way, I feel very confident that the indicated speed was accurate. I
>have had my speedometer calibrated. In addition, I went through a
>construction zone that has one of those portable radar trailers that
>displays your speed. At that time it displayed 73mph, exactly what was
>showing on my speedo.
>
>Once I got closer to Austin I did have one of my first stealth encounters. A
>silver Honda with all sorts of decals and a huge can hanging off the back
>passed me. Traffic was light enough at that point that I was able to thread
>my way up to him and take him by surprise. I don't know what was going
>through his mind, but I'd like to know what he was thinking.
>
>Now I need to make arrangements to get some dyno time.
>
>Cheers,
>motorbruce@hotmail.com
>
>
>
>