Maybe it is my lighter bike..only 16lbs..grin!  Actually, my 1.8liter is
no powerhouse either.  But with the slightly enhanced cam, the performance
muffler and the 5sp. manual gears, it will do as I said in my original
post.   If one wanted a powerful van capable of passing in short distances
or going round that jerk that goes along at 50, then speeds up to 75 when
the road goes "Passing lane, slower traffic keep right" I guess the Subie,
or something other than a WBX motor might be a better choice.  My
little "Mouse-motor" 1.8 liter inline isn't much better uphill than a WBX
motor...but it must be a little better.  Next time for mine, I will add a
turbo to the 1.8 inline..that should take me into "subie-land" power-wise.
  Don Hanson

On Tue, 25 Sep 2007 20:14:56 -0700, Walter Houle <whoule@ECSCONTROLS.COM>
wrote:

>That 65-70 mph uphill sure sounds tantalizing. With a 1.9L engine, a 225
>pound cyclist, his wife, two 18 pound bikes, a cooler, and nothing much
>else, the best we can hope for is 55 mph uphill. If I have to lift off
>the gas for any reason on a climb, it drops to 45-50 mph until the top.
>I've been driving this van for 22 years and 2 engines and this has never
>changed. Maybe I'll go big when the 1.9 finally goes South .....
>
>On another note, I have a brand new set of M195/14 Michelin LTXs. They
>were positively awful at the door sticker's 39/48 PSI F/R. Much better
>at 46/46, but still a slight wobble in a crosswind or semi truck pass.
>Still fishing for the optimum combination. Van's interior is bare bones,
>no center seat, so it's as light weight as possible.
>
>Walter
>85 Vanagon 1.9
>