Driven properly that 5.7 SAVANAgon should get 16-18 on the highway. The
Vortek is a great engine. The tranny can be a problem towing heavy loads.
If it starts gear hunting on hills, disable the overdrive. These engines
and trannies can be tough on oils.  Yes I am biases but synthetics help
these engines a lot.

Good luck,
Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
BenT Syncro
Sent: Friday, November 09, 2007 10:22 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: just got a V8 powered SA Vana

LOL... sorry for the Friday fib. I got a 1996 GMC SAVANA for towing
trailers
and such. I vanna call it a SAVANAgon. It's simply amazing how much more
comfy one of these vans are. It's got a 5.7 liter Vortec VW. Pulls like
gangbusters and just slightly longer than a Vanagon -- inside. Outside
it's
Mini Cooper longer than my Syncro. Gas mileage is great -- compared to the
Titanic. I think it gets about 10-12mpg in the City and really pushing it
at
14MPG highway. Since all that extra power is fun to drive compared to
my 88 Doka with a 2.1, I tend to be throttle happy. WIth the high price of
gas these days, I'm putting $20 everyday day vs. my Doka which drinks $30
a
week. No wonder the DPO sold her to me for the price of a major tune-up on
my Vanagon. I don't care. I love my new SavanaGon. I can use it to two my
trailer full of dead Vanagons. Hmmm... do you think it will make a good
candidate for a Subaru Diesel boxer engine? Nahhh.... I'll just wire the
ECU
into my ATM card.

Have a Happy Friday. Back at you guys Sunday after I've burned enough fuel
to launch the space shuttle.

--
BenT