what is the torque of a Zetec engine, and at what rpm ?
I would expect good strong torque to not happen ( non-turbo) until perhaps
4,500 rpm.

I just drove one in an 85 westy with only slightly larger that stock tires.
That van  really need a *lower*  4th ( top ) gear.  And vanagons are not
that tall geared in 4th gear anyway.
If stock wbxr gearing ..
based on how the new engine I drove was ....you'd be in 3rd gear up to 70mph
if the tires are much taller than stock.
scott

----- Original Message -----
From: "Dennis Haynes" <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Wednesday, October 12, 2011 9:43 PM
Subject: Re: Tires- 16" recommendations?

> As vehicle speed increases more HP is needed to push through air in
> addition
> to just hills and rolling resistance. The larger tires increase the torque
> load at any given speed and since these transmissions often break before
> they wear that needs to be a consideration. The added torque from the
> Zetec
> will also add to the problem. For the stock engine this increased loading
> becomes a problem as the engine can't turn fast enough to give the HP
> needed. 26.5 to 27"  tires are really the limit for the stock drive line.
>
> Dennis
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
> craig cowan
> Sent: Wednesday, October 12, 2011 10:50 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: Tires- 16" recommendations?
>
> It's getting the zetec out of my '85 come early spring. It was already in
> the works and the syncro was coming off the road in 2 weeks anyway.
>
> Anyway... back to the thread.
> Bigger tires AFFECT gearing but don't really change it. They just change
> where you shift. Not that big a deal.
> I dig them, even with the stock WBXer.
>
> -Craig
>
>
> On Wed, Oct 12, 2011 at 10:42 PM, Alistair Bell <albell@shaw.ca> wrote:
>
>> Ouch, but now you get a new motor. Any hints on which way you want to go?
>>
>> alistair
>>
>>
>> On 2011-10-12, at 7:34 PM, craig cowan wrote:
>>
>> > Ya, i've been meaning to fix that post....
>> > Rod escaped.
>> >
>> > : )
>> >
>> > -Craig
>>
>>