At 10:03 AM 8/27/97 -0600, you wrote:
> SyncroBeast           Syncro Shocks, an update/long
><snip><snip><snip>   Date:    Tue, 26 Aug 1997 16:20:15 -0400
>From:    David Bartolini <davidb@SKYBEST.COM>
>Subject: HEAVY  Duty Shocks
>
>I've watched and waited but lately, no one has brought up shocks--So here
>goes.       My creame puff 84 Westy needs a more stable ride, she needs to

As an 84 is not a syncro it cannot use syncro shocks, particularly not the
front shocks.

>toughen up a bit!        I'm interested in the Readers experience on specific
>shocks.  I would like some very HD, non air shocks.  I am open to suggestions
>and have a frugal budget.
>
>********************
>I am somewhat remiss in updating the list so here goes.
>
>An update to the Bigger/Better shocks for the Syncro crowd.  Some traffic did
>cross the list a couple of weeks ago, heres a synopsis of that info and where
>I am with the search.
>
>Some good info has been gathered, and I remain commited to finding out WHO the
>OEM manufacturer of the "N" suffix part is, hopefully so that I can get it
>easier/less expensive from the manufacturer, rather than order from VW Germany
>or from Peter Seikel.  (Although Peter does come very highly recommended)
>
>The shock for the rear is the same as for the standarsd van.

This is not true.

The shock for
>the front of a SYNCRO has a spring perch on it, and is stiffer than stock non
>Syncro's.  I do know that Bilstein does not make for the SYNCRO front, KONI
>does not build a shock for the SYNCRO front, and Sachs/Boge builds only the
>"C" suffix which is the softest available from VW.  The "C" suffix is
>available from VW America, and better prices can be found with Ron Salmon at
>the Bus Depot.   <www.busdepot.com>

Boge says they make a heavy duty version of the C shock which is widely
available in Europe. Don't know if this is the N suffix or the M? suffix.

>1. Basically, of the three factory front shocks for Vanagon Syncro, all are
>identical in dimensions and are progressively stiffer from suffix C to
>suffix M to suffix N.
>
>>>>>>>>>>>
>front shock:   251 413 031 C   regular
>                          251 413 031 M        14'' HD package "Schlechtwegepaket"
>                          251 413 031 N        16''
>
>rear shock:    251 513 031 D   regular
>                        251 513 031 M  14'' HD package
>                        251 513 031 N  16''
>
>2. Peter Seikel is happy to sell these and says the N style was the factory
>option for the years 90 and 91 for 16" Transporters. Seikel says the springs
>he sells are much stiffer than the factory springs and are also progressive
>rate. He said the factory springs are 75 kios per 1cm spring rate whereas
>his springs are 140 kilos per 1 cm. He says his heavy duty springs can fit
>even a factory original C suffix shock absorber, so everthing fits together
>in any combination, with no compatibility problems.
>
>Peter Seikel in Freigericht near Frankfurt/Main recommends the "N" absorbers.
>Seikel used to develop racing and off-roading suspensions for all kinds of VW
>and Audi also the T3 syncros he is probably the most experienced person about
>these items. Give him a call or better a fax it is worth while. He also offers
>reinforced coil springs for the T3 syncro.
>
>Auto Seikel GmbH
>Herr Peter Seikel
>Industriestrasse 5
>D 63579 Freigericht
>Phone: +49 - 60 55 - 52 82
>Fax: +49 - 60 55 - 82 731
>
>Prices:
>        Front spring: DM243 each is $135 each @ 1.8 exchange = $270 the pair
>        Rear spring: DM315 each is $175 each @ 1.8 exchange = $350 the pair
>
>        Front shock DM315 each is $175 each @ 1.8 exchange = $350 the pair
>        Rear shock DM208 each is $115 each @ 1.8 exchange = $230 the pair
>
>        So you have a full setup of heavy duty springs and shocks for $1,200
>
>Another adress you could try is:
>projektzwo
>Herr Rissmann
>Saarburgstrasse 13
>D 86899 Landsberg
>Phone: + 49 - 81 91 - 92 77 - 0
>Fax: +49 - 81 91 - 92 77 - 99
>
>projektzwo sells mostly show stuff, but does have some rather nifty fender
>flairs and brush bars and a lift kit for Syncro's using the stock stiffer "N"
>shocks, and hey, it's a real flashy brochure.  You could drool over the thng
>for hours, and it's only 3 pages, double sided.
>
>A local contact for projektzwo is VW Sports - 703-451-5134  Springfield VA
>
>*************
>That's all I know now.  I continue to look for the OEM for the "N" suffix, and

I think, suspect that the OEM for N is Boge itself. I bet we could order Ns
through a European equivalent to FLAPS.

>will probably just break down and get from Seikel in the near future.  (that
>is if I can get ahold of Derek Drew and ask him how you order overseas.  I'm a
>bit nervous about that, never having done it before.)

I recomend you have the order sent government postal mail, ground surface on
a credit card. Otherwise, ask the party if they can cash a USA$$ check and
just sent them a check.

>Ch
>'89 Syncro Beast
>'87 GTI 16V
>'86 Scirocco (SO's)
>
>
>
>
___________________________________
Derek Drew                           New York, NY
drew@interport.net