TheSamba.com :: View topic

Tue Jan 21, 2003 6:13 pm

I just bought a 72 camper. It has a rebuilt engine but driving it home on the highway I only had an average speed of 60mph and maybe 65 if I was going down a hill. I will be using this van for long trips. How can I get more power from the engine to make the top speed a little faster. Thanks.
matt

Tue Jan 21, 2003 7:00 pm

If you don't want to pull the engine apart, you'll be stuck with very few options on a type 4 other than ratio rockers (albeit that's an expensive bolt on at $400). If you want to pull the engine apart, upgrading your displacement with 96mm cylinders is a viable option. You'll more than likely need to put on some larger carbs, say 40 IDFs.

Charles Navarro
LN Engineering
http://www.LNengineering.com
Aircooled Precision Performance

Tue Jan 21, 2003 7:56 pm

Sounds like the engine in there now needs some help. start with the basic tune-up what you have make sure it's still viable type of thing. 60 or 65 tops, she's gotta be suffering somewhere!

Tue Jan 21, 2003 8:09 pm

Yea, you should be able to do lots better than 60-65

Do you plan on doing your own wrenching, or will you pay someone else?

My advice depends on your answer....

Tue Jan 21, 2003 8:19 pm

Run a compression test on the engine. The gauge is cheap and will serve you well. Check the spark plugs to make sure they're not fouled while you're at it. Maybe replace the spark plug wires depending on how the compression numbers look. Also maybe the distributor cap and rotor and adjust the points. All that should cost you no more than $50 and an hour or two.