Tony,
You are right, increasing tire size will slow the engine down.  But most
people with automatics arn't interested in going much larger than say a
215/75R15 which is about the limit of what would fit in the stock spare tire
location.

        4.09     4.09      3.73   3.73
SPEED   185R14   215/75R15 185R14 215/75R15
 90km/h 3000     2780      2730   2530
100     3330     3080      3030   2810
110     3660     3400      3350   3100
120     4000     3700      3650   3380
130     4330     4000      3950   3650

So really, the 3.73 Ring and Pinion along with 27.5" tall tires would result
in a really nice setup with a TDI with comfy cruising at 110 to 120km/h
which works out to 70 to 75 mph which is perfect interstate cruising speeds.

I am about to put an order in for this early next week... anyone else
interested in some?

David Marshall

Fast Forward Automotive Inc.
4356 Quesnel-Hixon Road
Quesnel BC Canada  V2J 6Z3

http://www.fastforward.ca    mailto:sales@fastforward.ca
Phone: (250) 992 7775        FAX: (250) 992 1160

- Vanagon Accessories and Engine Conversions
- Vanagon, Transporter and Iltis Sales and Importation
- European Lighting for most Volkswagen models

Due to the large volume of email  we  receive,  PLEASE  include  previous
emails when responding.  This will allow us to read the complete dialogue
in one message and will result in quicker and more  accurate  responses.

-----Original Message-----
From: Tony Thompson [mailto:tonyt_eye@NS.SYMPATICO.CA]
Sent: October 18, 2005 4:52 PM
To: VANAGON@GERRY.VANAGON.COM; David Marshall
Subject: Re: Taller 3.73 R+P for automatic transmission found!

On Mon, 17 Oct 2005 13:35:08 -0700, David Marshall
<mailinglist@FASTFORWARD.CA> wrote:

>Volks,
>I have found a source for the taller 3.73 R+P for the automatic
>transmissions - stock is 4.09.  We're looking at about $1250 Canadian /
cira
>$1000 USD for a new set.  This price could come down a small bit if we can
>combine shipping on these.
>
>This would bring the highway RPMs down to the following with stock 25.5"
>tall tires
>
>SPEED           STOCK           3.73
>100km/h 3330            3030
>110km/h 3660            3350
>120km/h 4000            3650
>
>Basically these R+Ps will drop your 3rd gear speeds by 10% making the
engine
>more palatable for a TDI or Turbo Diesel conversion.
>
>Please pmail me if you are interested.
>
>Cheers!
>
>David Marshall
>
>Fast Forward Automotive Inc.
>4356 Quesnel-Hixon Road
>Quesnel BC Canada  V2J 6Z3
>
>http://www.fastforward.ca    mailto:sales@fastforward.ca
>Phone: (250) 992 7775        FAX: (250) 992 1160
>
>- Vanagon Accessories and Engine Conversions
>- Vanagon, Transporter and Iltis Sales and Importation
>- European Lighting for most Volkswagen models
>
>
>Due to the large volume of email  we  receive,  PLEASE  include  previous
>emails when responding.  This will allow us to read the complete dialogue
>in one message and will result in quicker and more  accurate  responses.

David could you not just put a 16"wheel and similar width and profile tire
on the rear to achieve the same effective gear ratio? ie a 195-75-16 or
similar. If that was combined with stock front wheels the speedo would be
correct and you'd get the same speed vs RPM. I've never done this though
so I can't comment on handling or ride but it looks like you've seen a lot
of variants through your shop.