Re: 50 mm vs 40 mm intake

[VWMikeLVW@aol.com]

In a message dated 2/21/01 6:06:13 AM Pacific Standard Time, 
jorel140@yahoo.com writes:


> When I wrote about my upcoming trip for Holland, I
> received a request to bring home a 50 mm intake
> manifold. I was ignorant of the specific advantages
> this would give to Americanized VWs. Then I remembered
> reading somthing about this in Greg Raven's book. This
> version was written when the 16v motor was just
> getting here. Raven writes about how VW sent examples
> of the 16v motor to VOA. VOA noticed that peak
> horsepower was somewhere between 6500 to 7000 rpm. VOA
> opined this was next to useless in the US, where we
> have some great  highways, but are discouraged from
> Autobahn type speeds. The result was that VW switched
> to the 40 mm intake, which simultaneously increased
> low-end torque, and decreased top-end horsepower. 
>
> This makes sense, which leads me to the question: is
> switching to the 50 mm intake really worth it for
> American drivers?  I rarely get over 80 mph, not
> because I like it that way, but because there are too
> many people in the way, and some of them might have
> badges. My driving life consists mostly of trying to
> get out of crowds into clean air. Agility and torque
> seem important in getting away from those clumped
> platoons of cars.
>
> Perhaps with the less constricted exhaust system I
> will soon install the 50 mm intake will be more
> viable? Also I saw somthng about European exhaust
> camshafts. Here I am ignorant as well. TIA for your input.


It isn't just high speed, but high RPM's. Meaning, when you're at higher RPM 
at lower speeds that you would notice a difference. 

Mike
http://www.geocities.com/vwmikel - trust me, a replacement is on the way!
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