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yeoldeluke Samba Member
Joined: January 29, 2011 Posts: 38 Location: Orangevale, CA
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Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2012 10:11 pm Post subject: |
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Another great article thanks so much, it's given me some ideas on a couple mods I need to do on my own project. _________________ 1971 Karmann Ghia |
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EverettB  Administrator

Joined: April 11, 2000 Posts: 42214 Location: Phoenix, AZ
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Posted: Mon Apr 02, 2012 10:38 am Post subject: |
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Moderator note:
We don't allow political stuff on this site.
This is not the place to post political discussions about gas prices.
Some posts were removed. _________________ How to: Post Photos | Search
Everett Barnes - [email protected] | My VWs | My wanted ads
"Water is the only drink for a wise man" | "Communication prevents complaints" |
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torsionbar Samba Member

Joined: December 11, 2010 Posts: 2156 Location: earf
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Posted: Mon Apr 02, 2012 1:54 pm Post subject: |
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if you're going to build a fuel efficient engine, i recommend titanium gt3 connecting rods.
they're only $1700.
http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/ksearch/pel_se...9610301293
each.  _________________
| Max Welton wrote: |
[air cooled vw's] are no longer suitable for the general public. The owner has to be be able to maintain the car. And that is after fixing all the deferred maintenance items and ill-conceived modifications. If you can't do those things you are pretty much screwed. |
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spencerfvee Samba Member
Joined: August 19, 2004 Posts: 1292
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Posted: Mon Apr 02, 2012 1:57 pm Post subject: |
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when i started this forum on MPG 3 times i have asked people not to get into political discussions . because it does no one any good to get upset and no one wins.. and like i said it upsets everett. then everett has to come in and remove the posts and warn every one to clean it up . please do not post political coments thank you spencerfvee
| EverettB wrote: |
Moderator note:
We don't allow political stuff on this site.
This is not the place to post political discussions about gas prices.
Some posts were removed. |
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DarthWeber Samba Member

Joined: November 24, 2007 Posts: 7557 Location: Whittier,CA
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Posted: Mon Apr 02, 2012 2:32 pm Post subject: |
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Spencer for President 2012!!
Paid for by SpencerforPresidentInc2012
Seriously, I think I'll wait for the Chinese knock-off Titanium Con Rods. When they land on the Moon later this decade they will be bringing back large amounts of titanium for that very purpose. Anyway, John Karcey proved years ago that you don't need lightweight parts to achieve great fuel mileage. Almost all his engine parts were genuine stock VW. That said, I also don't buy into hanging several extra pounds of weight on the crank either. _________________
| Mitey62 wrote: |
| Swapped the Compufire for a Bosch blue and some points I had sitting around, started 1st crank. Took her out for a drive, pulls harder, more RPM, and runs smoother. I think I'll be sticking with points from now on. |
| RockCrusher wrote: |
JB weld the case halves....that'll keep the fretting to a minimum.  |
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spencerfvee Samba Member
Joined: August 19, 2004 Posts: 1292
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Posted: Mon Apr 02, 2012 3:14 pm Post subject: |
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lol lol lol no way lol lol getting back to MPG you think like i do darth . about MPG motors there are a lot of stock parts out there . why buy big buck rods for a motor thats never going to see over 4,000 rpm . i keep thinking back to my bugs i had over the years my 1970 bug did well on MPG but my 1968 and 1967 bug did better. and they both were 1500cc motors my 1967 bug had the best carb vw made. very simple . the single port motors got the best MPG. i am like you darth i keep thinking whats the best motor for MPG but to find a good set of 1500 cyls. is hard to do. in the shop there are a lot of single port heads . i was thinking of useing 1300 heads open them up for the 1500cc cyls because those heads have the smaller valves . i was thinking of doing a 40 hp motor but my super is heavy over 2,000 lbs i dont think the 40 hp motor would pull it very well lol on my race car i have used the berg 5 lbs pulley it helps the car leave hard off the line .but i kind of thought it slowed down the rpms . if it would help MPG i dont know something to think about. i am putting parts together for a MPG motor . i am waiting for the swap meets to start lol spencerfvee
| DarthWeber wrote: |
Spencer for President 2012!!
Paid for by SpencerforPresidentInc2012
Seriously, I think I'll wait for the Chinese knock-off Titanium Con Rods. When they land on the Moon later this decade they will be bringing back large amounts of titanium for that very purpose. Anyway, John Karcey proved years ago that you don't need lightweight parts to achieve great fuel mileage. Almost all his engine parts were genuine stock VW. That said, I also don't buy into hanging several extra pounds of weight on the crank either. |
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vwracerdave Samba Member

Joined: November 11, 2004 Posts: 8129 Location: OKLAHOMA
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Posted: Mon Apr 02, 2012 5:08 pm Post subject: |
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| spencerfvee wrote: |
| i keep thinking back to my bugs i had over the years my 1970 bug did well on MPG but my 1968 and 1967 bug did better. and they both were 1500cc motors my 1967 bug had the best carb vw made. very simple . the single port motors got the best MPG. |
Your 67 & 68 Bugs got better MPG then the 70 because they were lighter. Swingaxle cars are lighter then IRS cars. You're too hung up on the engine. You have to look at the whole complete vehicle including gearing and weight. You're driving habits are also critical to MPG, it's not just about the engine. _________________ 2010 Sportsman ET Champion - Mid-America Dragway - Arkansas City, KS
1997 Sportsman ET Champion - Thunder Valley Raceway Park - Noble ,OK
Featured in Dec. 2001 HOT VW's Magazine page 63
Watch my racing video's http://www.youtube.com/user/okvwracer/videos |
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spencerfvee Samba Member
Joined: August 19, 2004 Posts: 1292
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Posted: Mon Apr 02, 2012 6:17 pm Post subject: |
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hi dave i checked the weight of a 1967 bug 1,807 lbs 1968 bug 1,807 lbs 1971 standard bug 1,807 lbs a super 1971 1,918 lbs a differnts of 111 lbs from a standerd bug thats not that much weight differnts .i thought it would be more spencerfvee
| vwracerdave wrote: |
| spencerfvee wrote: |
| i keep thinking back to my bugs i had over the years my 1970 bug did well on MPG but my 1968 and 1967 bug did better. and they both were 1500cc motors my 1967 bug had the best carb vw made. very simple . the single port motors got the best MPG. |
Your 67 & 68 Bugs got better MPG then the 70 because they were lighter. Swingaxle cars are lighter then IRS cars. You're too hung up on the engine. You have to look at the whole complete vehicle including gearing and weight. You're driving habits are also critical to MPG, it's not just about the engine. |
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DarthWeber Samba Member

Joined: November 24, 2007 Posts: 7557 Location: Whittier,CA
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Posted: Mon Apr 02, 2012 7:53 pm Post subject: |
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According to my 1971 owners manual my Karmann Ghia weighs 1,918 lbs. Of course what it lacks in light weight it more than makes up for in classic sexy aerodynamic Italian designed curves.  _________________
| Mitey62 wrote: |
| Swapped the Compufire for a Bosch blue and some points I had sitting around, started 1st crank. Took her out for a drive, pulls harder, more RPM, and runs smoother. I think I'll be sticking with points from now on. |
| RockCrusher wrote: |
JB weld the case halves....that'll keep the fretting to a minimum.  |
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krusher Samba Member

Joined: September 24, 2002 Posts: 7618 Location: california
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Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 12:19 am Post subject: |
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| spencerfvee wrote: |
lol lol lol no way lol lol getting back to MPG you think like i do darth . about MPG motors there are a lot of stock parts out there . why buy big buck rods for a motor thats never going to see over 4,000 rpm . i keep thinking back to my bugs i had over the years my 1970 bug did well on MPG but my 1968 and 1967 bug did better. and they both were 1500cc motors my 1967 bug had the best carb vw made. very simple . the single port motors got the best MPG. i am like you darth i keep thinking whats the best motor for MPG but to find a good set of 1500 cyls. is hard to do. in the shop there are a lot of single port heads . i was thinking of useing 1300 heads open them up for the 1500cc cyls because those heads have the smaller valves . i was thinking of doing a 40 hp motor but my super is heavy over 2,000 lbs i dont think the 40 hp motor would pull it very well lol on my race car i have used the berg 5 lbs pulley it helps the car leave hard off the line .but i kind of thought it slowed down the rpms . if it would help MPG i dont know something to think about. i am putting parts together for a MPG motor . i am waiting for the swap meets to start lol spencerfvee
| DarthWeber wrote: |
Spencer for President 2012!!
Paid for by SpencerforPresidentInc2012
Seriously, I think I'll wait for the Chinese knock-off Titanium Con Rods. When they land on the Moon later this decade they will be bringing back large amounts of titanium for that very purpose. Anyway, John Karcey proved years ago that you don't need lightweight parts to achieve great fuel mileage. Almost all his engine parts were genuine stock VW. That said, I also don't buy into hanging several extra pounds of weight on the crank either. |
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I keep trying to drag you into the future but you wont have it
You just need to look at how modern engines get good mpg and use what of it you can afford, not dwell in what randomly got good mpg in a stock vw back in the 60's _________________ (06:31:07) RoachGhia: "i drink dick way too fast"
(06:54:29) BoomsVW: "i always feel free down there" |
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spencerfvee Samba Member
Joined: August 19, 2004 Posts: 1292
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Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 5:25 am Post subject: |
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hi krusher keep trying dont give up on me well i have two new mazdas is that getting me into the future my 2012 mazda 3 only gets 32 mpg my 2012 my mazda 5 van only gets 26mpg my 2180 bug got only 26 mpg i got to go down on the jetting its running rich gas hogs in the UK right lol lol spencerfvee
| krusher wrote: |
| spencerfvee wrote: |
lol lol lol no way lol lol getting back to MPG you think like i do darth . about MPG motors there are a lot of stock parts out there . why buy big buck rods for a motor thats never going to see over 4,000 rpm . i keep thinking back to my bugs i had over the years my 1970 bug did well on MPG but my 1968 and 1967 bug did better. and they both were 1500cc motors my 1967 bug had the best carb vw made. very simple . the single port motors got the best MPG. i am like you darth i keep thinking whats the best motor for MPG but to find a good set of 1500 cyls. is hard to do. in the shop there are a lot of single port heads . i was thinking of useing 1300 heads open them up for the 1500cc cyls because those heads have the smaller valves . i was thinking of doing a 40 hp motor but my super is heavy over 2,000 lbs i dont think the 40 hp motor would pull it very well lol on my race car i have used the berg 5 lbs pulley it helps the car leave hard off the line .but i kind of thought it slowed down the rpms . if it would help MPG i dont know something to think about. i am putting parts together for a MPG motor . i am waiting for the swap meets to start lol spencerfvee
| DarthWeber wrote: |
Spencer for President 2012!!
Paid for by SpencerforPresidentInc2012
Seriously, I think I'll wait for the Chinese knock-off Titanium Con Rods. When they land on the Moon later this decade they will be bringing back large amounts of titanium for that very purpose. Anyway, John Karcey proved years ago that you don't need lightweight parts to achieve great fuel mileage. Almost all his engine parts were genuine stock VW. That said, I also don't buy into hanging several extra pounds of weight on the crank either. |
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I keep trying to drag you into the future but you wont have it
You just need to look at how modern engines get good mpg and use what of it you can afford, not dwell in what randomly got good mpg in a stock vw back in the 60's |
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krusher Samba Member

Joined: September 24, 2002 Posts: 7618 Location: california
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Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 9:58 am Post subject: |
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| spencerfvee wrote: |
hi krusher keep trying dont give up on me well i have two new mazdas is that getting me into the future my 2012 mazda 3 only gets 32 mpg my 2012 my mazda 5 van only gets 26mpg my 2180 bug got only 26 mpg i got to go down on the jetting its running rich gas hogs in the UK right lol lol spencerfvee
| krusher wrote: |
| spencerfvee wrote: |
lol lol lol no way lol lol getting back to MPG you think like i do darth . about MPG motors there are a lot of stock parts out there . why buy big buck rods for a motor thats never going to see over 4,000 rpm . i keep thinking back to my bugs i had over the years my 1970 bug did well on MPG but my 1968 and 1967 bug did better. and they both were 1500cc motors my 1967 bug had the best carb vw made. very simple . the single port motors got the best MPG. i am like you darth i keep thinking whats the best motor for MPG but to find a good set of 1500 cyls. is hard to do. in the shop there are a lot of single port heads . i was thinking of useing 1300 heads open them up for the 1500cc cyls because those heads have the smaller valves . i was thinking of doing a 40 hp motor but my super is heavy over 2,000 lbs i dont think the 40 hp motor would pull it very well lol on my race car i have used the berg 5 lbs pulley it helps the car leave hard off the line .but i kind of thought it slowed down the rpms . if it would help MPG i dont know something to think about. i am putting parts together for a MPG motor . i am waiting for the swap meets to start lol spencerfvee
| DarthWeber wrote: |
Spencer for President 2012!!
Paid for by SpencerforPresidentInc2012
Seriously, I think I'll wait for the Chinese knock-off Titanium Con Rods. When they land on the Moon later this decade they will be bringing back large amounts of titanium for that very purpose. Anyway, John Karcey proved years ago that you don't need lightweight parts to achieve great fuel mileage. Almost all his engine parts were genuine stock VW. That said, I also don't buy into hanging several extra pounds of weight on the crank either. |
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I keep trying to drag you into the future but you wont have it
You just need to look at how modern engines get good mpg and use what of it you can afford, not dwell in what randomly got good mpg in a stock vw back in the 60's |
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As far as into the future, what did vw get out of the FI 1600 bugs mpg wise?
I would love to see a 1600 FI bug with a little better cam, some head work, better exhaust, crank fire ignition etc, bet that's an easy 75hp and 40mpg. _________________ (06:31:07) RoachGhia: "i drink dick way too fast"
(06:54:29) BoomsVW: "i always feel free down there" |
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AlteWagen Troll
Joined: February 23, 2007 Posts: 5407
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Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 1:57 pm Post subject: |
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After reading the last few thread replys I got to thinking about valve size a bit more.
The HVW mileage build used FI heads (32x30) with 9mm exhaust stems, the 1965 1200 square boss head also uses the same sized intake and exhaust valves.
In the past the best heads for street I used had 39x37.5 (041 casting with larger exhaust seat and valve installed) which are closer in size compared to stock.
Is there something about valve size ratio that also plays a huge roll in the mpg quest? |
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[email protected] Samba Member

Joined: August 03, 2002 Posts: 7126 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
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Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 3:49 pm Post subject: |
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bigger valves accomplish bigger flow. A MPG engine is optimizing dynamics at low throttle positions (low flows). Big valves are a waste of time for this, and actually hurt intake velocity, so it's bad for MPG. _________________ Please do NOT send me Private Messages through the Samba PM System (I will not see them). Send me an e-mail to john at aircooled dot net
"Like" our Facebook page at
http://www.facebook.com/vwpartsaircoolednet
and get a 5% off code for use on one order for VW Parts ON THE NEW WEBSITE, vwparts.aircooled.net |
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krusher Samba Member

Joined: September 24, 2002 Posts: 7618 Location: california
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Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 11:59 pm Post subject: |
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| derluftwagen wrote: |
After reading the last few thread replys I got to thinking about valve size a bit more.
The HVW mileage build used FI heads (32x30) with 9mm exhaust stems, the 1965 1200 square boss head also uses the same sized intake and exhaust valves.
In the past the best heads for street I used had 39x37.5 (041 casting with larger exhaust seat and valve installed) which are closer in size compared to stock.
Is there something about valve size ratio that also plays a huge roll in the mpg quest? |
The mistake you making is thinking of a head flow as the sum of its valve sizes. A head is the sum of its air flow, a combination of valve and port. Most stock vw heads ports dont flow 100% of the potential of the valve size, this is how we get HP gains from sinple inlet port porting. _________________ (06:31:07) RoachGhia: "i drink dick way too fast"
(06:54:29) BoomsVW: "i always feel free down there" |
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krusher Samba Member

Joined: September 24, 2002 Posts: 7618 Location: california
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Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2012 4:10 am Post subject: |
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I was watching Formula 1 today and found some interesting info.
In the 2014 season they will be moving from a 2.4L v8 to a 1.6 V6 with turbo.
The real interesting bit:
"To push the engineers to develop engine efficiency, the technical regulation imposes a fuel-flow control."
So with a limited fuel flow to find extra power they will have to work on my efficient burn.
This type of technology trickles down, so looking like F1 will be giving birth to some ideas that will help us with MPG in the future.
They do 4.7mpg right now  _________________ (06:31:07) RoachGhia: "i drink dick way too fast"
(06:54:29) BoomsVW: "i always feel free down there" |
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spencerfvee Samba Member
Joined: August 19, 2004 Posts: 1292
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Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2012 7:19 am Post subject: |
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hi krusher . turbos the way to go . now adays . i used to race a turbo mazda speed M5 (miata) and i drove it on the street . i was shocked to see that it got from 22MPG to 31 MPG ..the 31 MPG was on a trips . i got 22MPG when i drove it hard lol it got 26MPG most of the time city highway . fords new truck v6 has twin turbos and gets 22MPG most pick up trucks only get 16MPG. ford must feal that a turbo is the best way to go. for MPG on there trucks . i feal we are going to see more cars and trucks with small turbos getting better MPG .as i have said befor on this forum i think tubos are going to be be used for better milage and power . i allways thought. that a small turbo on a 1600cc motor with a single solex 34 carb could get great MPG . every one talks about heating the fuel up for better MPG what a better way to heat the fuel up . by useing a turbo.befor the fuel gets to the heads . some thing to think about. i am sure theres going to be guys saying . a turbo is not the way to go for MPG . from what i see now adays every one wants a 4 CYL motor . i can only say this from seeing mazda selling more 4 cyl. cars. than V 6 cars .today gas went back up to $3.85 it was $3.59.. in CAL. my friend says gas is $4.50 gal. there now saying gas could go as high as $6.00 gal. by summer and now there saying the EPA wants to go from 10% alcohol in gas to 15% alcohol in gas. thats going to kill MPG for sure . and how well are air cooled vws going to run .useing 15% alcohol in the gas. time will tell lol just my two cents spencerfvee
| krusher wrote: |
I was watching Formula 1 today and found some interesting info.
In the 2014 season they will be moving from a 2.4L v8 to a 1.6 V6 with turbo.
The real interesting bit:
"To push the engineers to develop engine efficiency, the technical regulation imposes a fuel-flow control."
So with a limited fuel flow to find extra power they will have to work on my efficient burn.
This type of technology trickles down, so looking like F1 will be giving birth to some ideas that will help us with MPG in the future.
They do 4.7mpg right now  |
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Cal Bug Samba Member
Joined: December 22, 2011 Posts: 13 Location: Utah
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Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2012 2:35 pm Post subject: |
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Hey Krusher and vwracerdave, sorry it took so long to get back, had to go down to San Diego.
On the subject of 1200/1300, I worry about the availability of parts. 1600 jugs are just cheap and available. I found porting kills some of the low end, maybe just a polish. SVDA has more torque, but I like the curve of the 009, I also got much better mpg with the 009.
Back to my Zippo lighter principle, I prefer thicker oil, for longevity. I'll give up an mpg for longer engine life. The 205/75/15 is my answer to a poor mans overdrive.
I have been mixing my oil since 2002, when I read the FAA report about synthetics. They recommend 45% multi grade, 45% synth, and 10% 30 weight to cover bearings when the oil is hot. They found synthetics build up carbon behind the rings and wear them out quicker.
1700 bucks for rods!!!??? That's over 400 gallons of gas, how many years would it take to make it back, before the next rebuild?
That's why I like points. My experience with Yamaha and Toyota, have left me stranded when the magic dies inside the little black box. 400 for toyota and 600 to replace the CDI box, in a Yamaha. That's a lot of gas. I'd rather loose an mpg for reliability, with old bone-headed points.
Now the deal with just buy a more efficient modern car, why do we love old VW's, because they're not like all the other belly-buttons going down the highway. They were meant to be worked on, they idle weird, they look different. They have that great smell. They do everything right, for me.
Plus, new cars are disposable, "Hey babe, lets go cruise in my classic 92 Mercury Topaz." " My car parks itselft." "I just paid 17 grand for a car that will be worth 3 grand in 5 years." I can sync my Bluetooth, with my laptop, iPad, and search for a restaurant, or buy clothes, all from my car." That's not gonna happen. Driving a VW is a mechanical experince, something new cars have lost. I like old cars and old bikes with points and kick starters, but that's a rant for another time.
I'd put an Emoticon on the end, but that's too technical. |
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Boolean Samba Member

Joined: January 19, 2012 Posts: 577 Location: Stockholm
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Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2012 2:42 pm Post subject: |
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| I'd be interested in that FAA report. Do you have a link? |
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spencerfvee Samba Member
Joined: August 19, 2004 Posts: 1292
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Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2012 5:24 pm Post subject: |
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me too on the FAA report . i would like to see it . it sounds funny to me that a lot of cars are comming from dealers with full synth oil in the motors . my friends Z01 vet for one .i have been useing full synth for years in all my vw motors . when i tore my motor down after 20,000 miles every thing looked clean as the day i put the motor together . i tore the motor down because i wanted to see how the cam looked and to check every thing out.and install a bigger cam in the motor . i am kind of shocked .at the FAA report . hay i learn something new every day . spencerfvee
| Cal Bug wrote: |
Hey Krusher and vwracerdave, sorry it took so long to get back, had to go down to San Diego.
On the subject of 1200/1300, I worry about the availability of parts. 1600 jugs are just cheap and available. I found porting kills some of the low end, maybe just a polish. SVDA has more torque, but I like the curve of the 009, I also got much better mpg with the 009.
Back to my Zippo lighter principle, I prefer thicker oil, for longevity. I'll give up an mpg for longer engine life. The 205/75/15 is my answer to a poor mans overdrive.
I have been mixing my oil since 2002, when I read the FAA report about synthetics. They recommend 45% multi grade, 45% synth, and 10% 30 weight to cover bearings when the oil is hot. They found synthetics build up carbon behind the rings and wear them out quicker.
1700 bucks for rods!!!??? That's over 400 gallons of gas, how many years would it take to make it back, before the next rebuild?
That's why I like points. My experience with Yamaha and Toyota, have left me stranded when the magic dies inside the little black box. 400 for toyota and 600 to replace the CDI box, in a Yamaha. That's a lot of gas. I'd rather loose an mpg for reliability, with old bone-headed points.
Now the deal with just buy a more efficient modern car, why do we love old VW's, because they're not like all the other belly-buttons going down the highway. They were meant to be worked on, they idle weird, they look different. They have that great smell. They do everything right, for me.
Plus, new cars are disposable, "Hey babe, lets go cruise in my classic 92 Mercury Topaz." " My car parks itselft." "I just paid 17 grand for a car that will be worth 3 grand in 5 years." I can sync my Bluetooth, with my laptop, iPad, and search for a restaurant, or buy clothes, all from my car." That's not gonna happen. Driving a VW is a mechanical experince, something new cars have lost. I like old cars and old bikes with points and kick starters, but that's a rant for another time.
I'd put an Emoticon on the end, but that's too technical. |
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