Ignition (Hot)

[Toby Erkson <Toby_Erkson@ccm2.hf.intel.com>]

Gas mileage: my engine went from stock FI 1600cc to 2003cc via bigger 
pistons, longer stroke, mild cam and 36mm carbs so I would expect lower gas 
mileage -- power vs. mileage, give and take.  However, the gains I have are 
real, not wishful, as I am keeping track.  The ignition came with a 30-day 
money back guarantee if improvements couldn't be made (Dr. Jacobs is the 
designer).  You better believe I was going to send it back if there was no 
improvement!  The only test that I could actually notice was a little more 
'omph' going up hills.  The time-trial and gas mileage testing are done 
through a stop watch and logging miles vs. gallons of gas -- not guess work 
or by what feels right.

I just got off the phone with Dave Kawell (901-677-2160), the builder of my 
engine, and he told me my mileage sounds about right for the hp it produces 
(which is dynoed at 122hp, by the way).  And he agrees that an improved 
ignition system will give better power/mileage.  He also said that "...the 
Bosch Blue Coil is the best damn coil for a VW."  He has used them on his 
racing engines with satisfactory results.  So what came stock is still very 
good and it definitely shouldn't be discounted.

I am passionate about my T3 and you're Goddamn right I will become 
defensive when someone doesn't believe me!  What's to gain by lying?  I try 
not to be careless since everything done to my baby has to come out of MY 
wallet.  Since I don't conform to stock I feel that I'm a testing platform 
for others who wish to do similar things to their T3, so I do have my share 
of mistakes and have shared them.  The computerized ignition, though, is a 
success that I am sharing.

The Defense rests.
     Toby Erkson
     air_cooled_nut@pobox.com
     modified '72 VW Squareback 2.0L
     stock '75 Porsche 914 1.8L


______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: Ignition
Author:  type-3-errors@umich.edu at SMTPGATE
Date:    1/2/97 5:38 PM

...
If this is the kind of gas mileage that you are getting then you have much
bigger problems to deal with first.  If you choose to live within the
emission limits that were in effect when your car was new then you should be
getting on the order of 20-22 mpg.  If you are willing to ignore the
emissions regs then 25-28 is attainable.  Of course your mileage will be
expected to suffer during competition.

I understand that you have invested a great deal of money in your ignition
system, and I also understand that it is human nature to defend and to come
to believe in that which we have purchased.  To do otherwise would be to
admit that we made a poor choice.  But you are treading here on the thin ice
of wishfull thinking.

Jim
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       Melissa Kepner                                    Jim Adney
       jadney@vwtype3.org              jadney@vwtype3.org
                             Laura Kepner-Adney
                             Madison, Wisconsin
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