Mark Stephens is a smart guy, selling decent products.

I would talk with him and find out exactly how many Vanagon customers using
the setup, how long they have used it, and whether they have any
complaints. Ask if you can speak to a couple of them.

The 96mm/six-stud setup seems great for a vehicle that needs more HP and is
shoving a light load, like a autocross 914 or a 411, or (especially) a
competition sandrail. It doesn't seem well suited (in my opinion) to the
needs of a Vanagon, where you need more torque, more than you need more HP.

Further, since you are pushing a heavy load, and the 96mm pistons and
un-shrouded heads are prolly going to build up a bunch of heat, and I am
not real clear on how MSHP dissipates that extra heat...I guess what I am
saying, since it is a new system, with prolly less than a hundred real life
tests, and far fewer on your particular vehicle, PROCEED WITH CAUTION.

G. Matthew Bulley
Bulley-Hewlett & Associates
www.bulley-hewlett.com
Cary, NC USA
888.468.4880 tollfree

-----Original Message-----
From:   Brian W. Block [SMTP:bwblock@xoommail.com]
Sent:   Tuesday, June 22, 1999 2:30 PM
To:     vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject:        Mark Stephens six-stud system

Hello VW fans:

I am new listmember, and owner of '83 vanagon (air cooled).  I am
experiencing
loss of compression from leakage around cylinder head.  Am considering
going
to the "six stud system" from Mark Stephens-- This includes oversize
pistons
and sleeves and two additional studs to bolt on cylinder heads for each
side.
I figure this should cure leaks and provide some additional hp as well.
Does anyone have experience with this setup?  How well does it work?

Regards,

BWB

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