Don,

Some of our T3s came with a 1.6TD in the back … perhaps not a Big Torque Engine … but a little bigger than the WBX

> On 30-Dec-2016, at 23:11, Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
> 
> Good points.. If you install a big torque motor behind a factory Vanagon
> transmission, you are exceeding the design parameters of the transmission.
> You'll need to learn to drive differently, if you can, or plan on breaking
> things.
> Our Vanagons are pretty heavy and their WBX motors have a wide torque
> band, sure..117 ft/lbs?..that is not big torque, so we're not speedy, but
> you floor it, and go as fast as it'll take you.   Nice and simple...
> When you add a TDI, a Subaru, supercharged inline, or another big torque
> motor..and you use all it's torque, you're asking for breakage in the
> drive line... especially if you are banging low rpm short-shifts or driving
> hard on variable surfaces.
>  Vehicles are designed as complete systems.  The transmission was made to
> withstand what a WBX motor puts out, torque-wise, probably not much more.
>  I'm running an inline VW with a bit more Horsepower but only a little
> more torque... I have to run higher RPM to achieve better performance, but
> I don't stress the transmission that much more with larger turning force
> (torque)..  The trade-off is the ABA motor was designed as part of a
> passenger car, fairly light, so I've learned to NOT ask this light car
> motor to grunt at low rpms against the almost 5000lbs I usually weight in
> my Vanagon... It's not a lugging low rpm motor, especially in a Vanagon,
> but you probably could drive it that way in a stock sedan, (the car it was
> designed for)
>  I'd be diligent about keeping high quality lube in the transmission,
> maybe even add a temperature gauge, and apply all that big torque
> gently...Or spend more money and install a strong Porsche turbo tranny 😂
> 
> 
> On Dec 30, 2016 4:19 PM, "C. Abney" <tsudonimh@gmail.com> wrote:
> 
>> It appears that many who have swapped to higher powered motors, bigger
>> wheels, and or overloaded their vans with accessories have had to
>> rebuild their transmissions frequently.  That is becoming more clear
>> as time goes on.
>> 
>> Be modest about what you do change, and don't change your driving
>> habits from what you'd normally do given that you are driving a
>> vanagon. That's the take-home lesson I got based on my readings.
>> 
>> On 12/30/16, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com> wrote:
>>> In addition to the .73 fifth gear what final drive (ring/pinion) ratio
>> are
>>> you running and what size ties? All of this factors in.
>>> While it appears that reducing engine rpm is an ultimate goal there are
>>> disadvantages. It takes continuous horsepower to overcome wind
>> resistance.
>>> Horsepower is a function of torque and RPM. Reduce the RPM and torque
>> has to
>>> increase proportionally. Increased torque then becomes increased stress
>> on
>>> everything. So you save some fuel but decreased transmission and engine
>> life
>>> become victims. Keep in mind that the base of these transmissions were
>>> developed for engines less than 60 HP and vans somewhat lighter and with
>>> less frontal area than ours. These transmissions do not like torque over
>>> time. Also, keeping the engines running under load, pushing with more
>> boost
>>> to get the job dome makes for an NOx emissions issue.
>>> 
>>> Dennis
>>> 
>>> 
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
>> Of
>>> Darrell Boehler
>>> Sent: Friday, December 30, 2016 9:16 AM
>>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>>> Subject: Re: 094 5 Speed kit
>>> 
>>> Hi Jason,
>>>           I use a 0.73 ratio 5th gear from Weddle on my 86 vanagon 094
>>> transaxle and it works fine. I have a tdi ahu converted to a tdi afn. I
>> have
>>> 20k miles on it and am happy. If you are staying with the same size tires
>>> you might want to go to the 0.70 ratio.  I rarely need to down shift on
>> the
>>> highway.
>>> Midwesty
>>> 
>> 
>> 
>> --
>> It seems my TO-DO list is a FITO (faster-in-than-out)
>>