Volks,
Wanted to report some good results with my auto tranny on the 87GL. I
changed the ATF and screen about 4 weeks ago and installed Royal Purple
fully synthetic ATF with a touch of Prolong additive as well. Restarted
and noticed that the Vanagon did shift a little more crisp. I did not
drain the torque converter (how can you?) so much old ATF remained and I
could tell the dilution old to new was severe as the old was gold, and
the new purple, the mixture looking mostly gold.
Yesterday, 4 weeks after the screen changeout, ATF refill, I took my Mr.
Goodpump and pumped out 2 qts of the "blend" of old and new and dropped
in 2 new qts. Royal Purple syn ATF again w/Prolong, now the dipstick has
the fully purple shine of the much thicker concentration of the new RP
ATF.
My 87GL now shifts so much more positive than before that it is truly
amazing. I cannot be truly scientific except to say that now when
floored in hard accelerating, the shifts "snap" much faster. The shift
point seems to be running around 100 rpm -over- the old shift point on a
"hammer down" acceleration.
Semi-Scientifically, when I pull the Van in the garage I have to hop
over the 1.5 inch rise on the garage floor and have always had to add
considerable throttle, especially if up against this rise. Now, when up
against the rise, the clutches engage at a lower RPM and very
positively. It was just like a little pop on the gas and a much
smoother, firmer engaging of the clutches.
I can't wait to get this box on a Houston freeway on ramp!
I recommend a switch to synthetic ATF of your choice. This Royal Purple
works well and I recommend it. If you want to give it a try, you will
have to find a race shop in your area that carries it, or a WWW
provider. It is expensive, but I feel, (literally), it is worth  it.
BTW, This is the 4th vehicle I have used RP syn ATF, all with similar
good results.

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Shalom                                                    87 GL
"Snap-Shifter" Otto
Mark Magee                                            91 Westy
Kemah TX USA                                      96 Suzuki 4WD Sport
John 14:6