If anyone wants some info from Vintage Vee Dubs I will go and have a talk with
them and get any further info.  Then I can email it to the list.  I don't live
very far from them.  Email me direct if you want further info.  Take advantage
of our low dollar value.

Ray

Lawrence Dongilli wrote:

> What a coincidence....just as I was finding out on my own about performance
> enhancing chips for the Vanagon, the topic happens to surface on the list.
> I don't know how much information on this topic has changed hands in the
> past, as I am new to the list.  I apologize if some of this is old news,
> but there seems to be little real data on the list right now....and quite a
> few questions.
>
> I have spoken several times over the past few days with a gentleman named
> Richard Holzl, of Vintage Vee Dubs in Australia about this chip that he and
> his cohorts have developed.  Richard passed a lot of data to me.  These
> folks sounded like they really did their homework.  Here are some important
> points to consider (while they are still fresh in my head):
>
> ****Your ECU module part number _must_ end in "022D".  The chip will not
> work otherwise.
>
> The chip can be run without rockers for about a 10% power boost, but they
> _strongly_ recommended against running rockers without the chip.  Yes, you
> get a larger power boost but you will end will end up with a _very_ rich
> exhaust mixture.  Apparently the airbox is 'overstimulated' with the ratio
> rockers, and the _stock_ ECU cannot accurately process/calculate the proper
> fuel ratios.  The engine with the new chip (with/without ratio rockers)
> should still pass the sniff test (!).  The chip should have sufficient
> capacity to handle additional headwork, cam changes and exhaust work (but
> to what degree I did not fully explore).  Even a three angle valve job
> would be a worthwhile improvement.  Richard did wisely recommend a valve
> spring upgrade if one departs from the profile of the stock cam.  They
> faxed me a dyno printout (actually, the exact same one scanned in at Kyle
> Wade's website) which shows an increase of rear wheel horsepower from about
> 58 horsepower (stock) to about 62 horsepower (new chip only).  The chip
> with ratio rockers (1.4:1 I believe) gives about 85 horsepower at the
> wheel.  This chip was originally designed to add to their Vanagon Truck
> used to tow their race car with tools, spares, etc, with their 'goal' being
> a total increase of 10-15%.  I guess they made it.
>
> It seems VW tended to make the Vanagon run _really_ lean......even to the
> detriment of power output.  Rather than starting out lean and enriching the
> mixture like the factory chip, the new chip starts out rich and leans the
> mixture out to the proper 15.2:1 stoichiometric ratio.  This ends the the
> overly lean running condition.  Their dyno tests showed a flat spot in the
> power curve at 2150 rpm which is also cured with the chip.
>
> Fuel curves were made by plotting points at 200-500 rpm intervals over top
> of a volumetric efficiency graph.  Curves are not necessarily a straight
> line.....they rise and dip as the rpm rises....reflecting 'sweet spots'
> based on volumetric efficiency.
>
> A 'thirty second' (!) delay to full power condition is
> eliminated.....giving instant full throttle response.
>
> Among the chip designers/programers were actually some insiders to the
> original design of the factory chips.
>
> Chip is socketed (not soldered), so swap should not be any problem.  Just
> make sure precautions are taken to guard against ESD (electrostatic
> discharge).  I think he mentioned there may be some sort of foil shielding
> to clip through to get to the chip.
>
> Additional benefits can be realized by adding an impedance transformer (a
> genuine VW part available from the dealer) between the ECU and airbox.
>
> With ratio rockers, I believe Richard said that the pushrods will need to
> be replaced with units shortened to 273mm (double check this
> number.......so much info....I couldn't write fast enough).
>
> He also recommended Bosch triple prong plugs, Magnacoil leads.
>
> Anyway, that is the bulk of the info he gave me.  It is as accurate as my
> frantic scribbles allow.  If you have more questions, you can make an
> expensive phone call to Australia and talk to Vintage Vee Dubs at
> (011.612.9.789.1777).  You can also correspond by FAX at
> (011.612.9.718.8704).
>
> Finally.....prices.  For folks like me who _will_ be buying onesies, the
> price is $425 (Aussie bucks).  This translates into approx. $260 US.  If
> you buy in quantity, the price takes a pretty good dive......so find some
> friends.
>
> By the way, check out < http://www.clubvw.org.au/index.html >.  There is
> info about a Race Bug that Richard built called 'Dak To The Future' as well
> as a bunch of cool links.
>
> Regards,
>
> Lawrence Dongilli