Last tranny rebuild about five years ago I had a .77 4th gear installle to
replace the stock .70 (or the other way around), giving me a 10% taller 4th.
With stock size tires, I am able to run about 78 mph @ 4K rpm (I do not go
over 4K).

'85 Westy with 2.1, 2.1 exhaust, and Digifant FI.

Appx 20 mpg highway, 19 city (I'm light on the accelerator).  Cruise @ about
75mph.  I have noticed little, if any, greater fuel economy by travelling
slower.

Emissions on a dyno have been no problem.

The only downside has been a bit of a gap between third and fourth gears,
only noticeable once in a great while on long gradual hills where I now have
to downshift.

Motto: "If I wanted to go faster, I'd have taken a different car."

Karl Wolz

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Dennis Haynes
Sent: Friday, December 25, 2009 9:01 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: VANAGON GEARING

I number us can do the re-gear. I do not recommend this with the stock
engine. Fuel economy may actually suffer. Performance will be worse and
engine strain will actually increase. This engine is a short stroke engine
that has to spin to make power. There is toll little torque to maintain
highway speeds at 3,000 rpm. If you live in an area with dyno emissions
testing you will have trouble passing the NOx part with a major gearing
change.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Jerry
Sent: Thursday, December 24, 2009 1:25 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: VANAGON GEARING

I own an 88 GL Vanagon.  I recently installed a

new Boston Engine 2.1L engine.

I want to upgrade the transmission.

Is there anyone who modifies late model

Vanagon transmissions to a 5 speed or

to a 4 speed with a taller 4th gear.

I'd like to maintain 3,000 engine RPM

with a road speed of 60 MPH.

My Vanagon currently runs around 50-52 MPH at

3,000 engine RPM.

Thanks

JB 88 GL Guido