Eric, an unbalanced crank creates vibrations which suck power and hinder the
motor's ability to rev.

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On Behalf
> Of EMZ
> Sent: Tuesday, February 16, 1999 7:15 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: 2.1L Wasserboxer Power Rebuild
>
>
>     This thread could not be more off base. Sorry to any
> one I may offend ahead of time, but the higher RPM engine has
> little to do with the balancing of the crank. Making a motor
> rev. higher and faster, is a mater of the bore VS stroke, and
> the abliliy of the motor to breath.
>
>             Eric                   86-VW4x4
>             vw4x4@fyi.net          72-240z
>             Pittsburgh, PA USA     1936-Chrysler
>
>
> On Tue, 16 Feb 1999, harald_nancy wrote:
>
> > To Robert and the other volks following the
> > "power rebuild" thread:
> > I do find the idea of counter balancing the crankshaft
> > on the 2.1 l wasserboxer intriguing.
> > So maybe instead of changing gear ratios or wheel sizes,
> > one can make the engine more "rev happy".
> > On my 90 westy auto. 65 mph equals about 3800 rpm.
> > My vanagon will cruise at this speed without complaining
> > all day long, all the way from Oly. to LA and back.
> > But any higher and I definitely notice a sharp increase in
> > vibrations and noise emanating from the engine.
> > The thing is, there is lots of reserve power.
> > At 65 the accelerator is only about 1/2 way down.
> > (on level ground with no headwind and 48 psi in the tires)
> > If I floor it, the van can easily cruise at 85 mph,
> > but the complaining from the wasserboxer becomes
> > unbearable.
> > So if a counterbalanced crank reduces the vibrations
> > and noise from the engine at high rpm operation,
> > (3500 to 4500), it definitely would be worth it.
> > Especially if you don't want to reduce
> > the gear ratios or wheel size, since that would
> > compromise acceleration and climbing ability.  Imho
> >
> > Harald
> > 90 westy
> > Olympia WA
> >
> > Robert Lilley wrote:
> > >  It balances the mass from the pistons rotating. Smooths out
> the engine.
> > >  True the 2.1L does not move as much as the bug case, But I
> have heard of
> > > 2.1L cranks breaking in the center and for $150 extra the
> insurance and
> > > smoothing out of the engine was, IMHO worth it.  Plus with a
> stock four
> > > speed tranny turning at 4000 RPMS at 70 it will help.
> > >
> > > Plus, Why do High Performance engines have counterweight cranks?
> > >
> > >
> > > Robert
> >