TheSamba.com :: View topic

Wed May 30, 2012 7:59 am

I finally got my new TB from Phil and the VSM from Chris hooked up, actually had it hooked up last week but couldn't 'find' the barrel bolt for the throttle cable. Took all of five minutes. After the new bolt arrived from VC, I ate the cookies, and connected the cable. The van caught on the second crank - laid up since November - and steadied right out on the idle - never did that before....

Took it for a drive and the idle is rock solid, very smooth response through acceleration. The two units are a match made in 'vanagon heaven'.. Thanks to both Chris and Phil for excellent work.. =D> =D> =D>

Wed May 30, 2012 4:03 pm

photogdave wrote: I suppose the real answer will be obtained by getting a mechanic to do a vacuum test but before I spends the $$$...
Why not buy a vacuum gauge? I've seen them for around $20 at Pep Boys or Napa. They are pretty important to have on hand.

They are really one of the easiest to use and most useful diagnostic tools.

Sun Jul 15, 2012 8:16 pm

I installed the VSM today. Got a bit of trouble hooking up the 12v wire to the power steering switch. There wasn't much room left in there between the switch and the runner so I had to bend the spade on the switch up a bit to make the connection, still tight. Not sure if I could rotate the switch so that the spades are oriented differently to gain more room against the runner. I had that power steering replaced about 6 months ago (had a leak at the switch) so maybe the new one is a bit bigger.

Would it be possible to feel improvement in the throtle response taking off from a stop after installing the VSM? Not a dramatic change but clearly a noticeable improvement. I have also changed to better narrower tires so I'm having a bit of trouble figuring out where the improvements I'm feeling come from. All other things equal and with a healthy throtle swith, what would be the most recognized improvement one should notice after installing the VSM?

Mon Jul 16, 2012 2:14 pm

Quote: All other things equal and with a healthy throtle swith, what would be the most recognized improvement one should notice after installing the VSM?

With a healthy throttle switch? Nothing, really, it can't fix something that wasn't broken. It provides the same binary signal as the stock switch: closed or open. All it provides is higher sensitivity to initial throttle movement, sensing manifold vacuum rather than throttle position for the hi-load enrichment program, and greater reliability by not being subject to mechanical wear.

Tue Jul 17, 2012 12:19 am

Thanks for the info Chris,

No worries, I never expected the VSM to be a miracle for anything or boost performance, I read the description on this product on your website before buying but I also have to say I'm not that mechanically inclined, I learn every day, this is almost a hobby and an addiction.

The reasons I bought the VSM are two: 1) I have a suspicion my throtle switch is a bit off but I have not been able to confirm it, I have had a short delay in the throtle response when taking off from a full stop, but never had time to figure it out and 2) I always try to do preventive maintenance so even if my delay issue is not coming from the throtle switch I figured your VSM is something I wanted to do anyways.

Back to your statement above, when you say that the VSM provides higher sensitivity to initial throttle movement, would that be something noticeable as you take off? I have only driven the van for 5 minutes after installing the VSM but it sure feels like the delay is greatly reduced or gone. Maybe a placebo effect, I sure need to do more driving...the new narrower tires also seem to make my van feel more light on her feet so maybe that is what I'm noticing...

Tue Jul 17, 2012 6:45 am

Maybe. It opens the TB switch circuit on a smaller amount of throttle movement than the mechanical switch could ever be set for.

However, placebo effect is felt nowhere in the world as strongly as on the surface of a driver's butt, an enormous market in hotrodding stuff is powered mainly by that phenomenon after all.

Tue Jul 17, 2012 6:49 am

Chris, ya mean it won't give me 100mpg and 0-60 in 8.5 seconds like that magnetic thingie you put on the fuel line? Jeez, your product is worthless.

Tue Jul 17, 2012 6:56 am

Ah...the super, top secret, little black box with the red LED. :lol:

My take from experience is that it provides smoother acceleration than the manual switch.
I have only used this switch with the billet TB available from Chris.

Smooth is the best way for me to describe how it felt.

Sat Jul 21, 2012 8:18 am

The Vanistan ad in the classifieds says......no longer available :?: :?: :?:

Oh no :!:

:cry:

Sat Jul 21, 2012 9:07 am

...until further notice, due to factors outside my control that are seemingly unamenable to any pressure or influence on my part, and I'm going to leave it at that.

Sat Jul 21, 2012 5:52 pm

tencentlife wrote: ...until further notice, due to factors outside my control that are seemingly unamenable to any pressure or influence on my part, and I'm going to leave it at that.

Super wack. Sorry to hear it.

Sun Jul 22, 2012 10:11 am

tencentlife wrote: ...until further notice, due to factors outside my control that are seemingly unamenable to any pressure or influence on my part, and I'm going to leave it at that.

Bummed, but ever hopeful.

Sun Jul 22, 2012 11:03 am

tencentlife wrote: ...until further notice, due to factors outside my control that are seemingly unamenable to any pressure or influence on my part, and I'm going to leave it at that.
Very sorry to learn of this; will stay positive regarding situation improving.

Sun Jul 22, 2012 11:17 am

Don't sweat it, folks, it's just temporary, I'm not pulling the product.

Sun Jul 22, 2012 11:29 am

tencentlife wrote: Don't sweat it, folks, it's just temporary, I'm not pulling the product. \:D/ =D>

Sun Jul 22, 2012 12:00 pm

tencentlife wrote: Don't sweat it, folks, it's just temporary, I'm not pulling the product.

Cool.
Let me know if you need help building future units.

D

Sun Jul 22, 2012 12:06 pm

Glad to hear the product is not pulled! I'm buying one soon!

Sun Jul 22, 2012 12:23 pm

Thanks for the expressions of support. I'll post on this thread and vanistan.com when I have news, but don't hold your breath, it's still going to be a while.

Fri Dec 07, 2012 6:17 pm

To my delight, I was able to by a VSM from Rocky Jennings! Just came today!

Fri Dec 07, 2012 6:40 pm

enjoy :D

i've been grinning all summer with a solid idle and smooooth throttle response 8) 8)