I have spent some time on the engine dyno and at the race track
in one instance I left a gas soaked rag on the intake manifold of a 40 hp FV
engine to collect the fuel as I change the main jet
with the rag in place the dyno readings jumped 3 HP
when the rag was removed the 3 HP disappeared
The how to hot Rod your VW  book told of blocking off the preheaters for the
intake to gain power

The other side of this is that to get the fuel to atomize in colder weather
you need to heat the incoming air or the manifold as is the case with the
European Carb set up on the vanagons the center section has a heater on the
bottom just below the carb

if you want to save gas slow down and max out your tire pressures

Bob Donalds
Boston Engine

----- Original Message -----
From: "Wesley Pegden" <wes@CS.UCHICAGO.EDU>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Wednesday, February 20, 2008 12:06 AM
Subject: Heated air intakes (was: misc mpg discussion)

>I remember a few weeks back somebody mentioned heated air intakes on the
> list, and I noticed this was on the page of fuel-saving tips someone
> posted a link too.  Anybody tried some kind of heated air intake in a
> vanagon?
>
> -Wes