Yeah, and on some of the steeper grades here in the Mountain West a wb-equipped vanagon is great because you can do things like have your spouse drive the van while you jog up ahead for exercise. And you notice things you never would have with a more powerful engine, like the subtle color variations in the road signs. Did you know that the text of a lot of those signs is composed of a series of reflective dots? 

I'm not looking for an "overpowered van", but if I didn't have to downshift so often I'd be satisfied. However, if I drove mostly on flat terrain I think my current engine would be fine.

Curtis Graham
85GL
Orem Utah

>>> Dave <dave@V-DUB.MUSA.COM> 02/09/99 11:31AM >>>
I don't see what the fuss is, my Vanagon has plenty of power for a VW
bus.  I think the wasserboxer is a great engine for the Vanagon, it
cruses fine all day near the redline and doesn't complain.  I drove mine
from Boulder, CO to St. Louis, MO only stopping for gas, that was about
13 hours at apx. 70 to 90mph.  I think it was about 940 miles, what ever
it was I had no problems what so ever, except I don't have cruse
control.  On the same note I drove my Fox on the same route at apx. the
same speed, maybe a little slower, with a lot less comfort, not to
mention the annoying buzz of an inline 4.  I'd never put an inline 4 in
my van, if anything an inline 5 at least has an interesting exhaust
note.  If you want an overpowered van why are you driving a Vanagon?
You'd get off a lot cheaper buying just about anything else.

David Filcoff            dave@v-dub.musa.com 
Volkswagens!            http://v-dub.musa.com 
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87 Vanagon, 88 Fox
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St. Louis / Columbia, MO
LiMBO - Gateway VW Club - VWoA VW Club -  Missouri Micros