-----Original Message-----
  From: Michael Sullivan Subject: Re: Wankels
  
  
  
  Evidently you haven't driven in the mountains with your Vanagon! The stock engine is woefully inadequate for slowing our vans down on those long steep grades -- it will go past redline easily (no matter what gear you put it in), necessitating WAY TOO MUCH brake usage, resulting in RED HOT brake rotors in a matter of minutes. 
  Ditto!
  That's why they call them the Smokey Mountains on the East Coast.... at the bottom of the grade in Cherokee N.C. you'll see signs everywhere that say "We do Brake Jobs" all along the mountain roads are runaway truck Ramps.... basically soft sand pits to plant your non-stoppable vehicle into...if you are going to get a wankel and drive in the mountains... you might also want to upgrade to oversized ventilated disc brakes all around.... has anybody ever heard of water cooled brakes?...have you ever seen how the brakes GLOW at night on those 24hr Serbling races?...I've smoked more than my share:^)
  Rob
  87 Westy SyncroGL.....Cynosure (slip&drip)
  rountree@planeteer.com

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