Since the engine runs at 4,000 rpm or over in 4th gear, why do you feel
that you need to shift out of third at 3,000 rpm? You are doing engine
damage from lugging. This is the best way to destroy main and rod
bearings. The Vanagon engine is an under square engine. That is, the
stroke is less than the bore. As such, for its size, it is not a torque
producer. Power is developed at speed. When accelerating quickly, I
up-shift as the acceleration is dropping off. This is usually about
4,200 to 4,400 rpm. When taking hills, if needed I will hold ~ 4,500
rpm, backing off the gas if up shifting will then cause me to loose
speed. Going above that for short spurts is OK but extended open
throttle high speed operation will quickly heat the oil and as the
torque drops off, there is not much benefit.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
Of chris
Sent: Monday, April 10, 2006 6:12 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: redline (not the oil)

How high do you guys usually allow your motors to rev when trying to
pull up in 3rd and get going fast enough to continue on into 4th gear?

 From listening to the motor, I try to always keep it under 3k if I can,
but when fully loaded and on a trip (going uphills/etc) I find myself
often pushing the 4k mark.

At what point are you going too high and doing damage?

Thanks,
chris

(I did try searching archives, but there is just so much talk about
redline oil I couldnt find any decent previous topics)