New van with cologne v6 engine

[Cableguy]

I've learned quite a bit already, never thought about tyre sizes and gearing before, big learning curve for me.
Van came from Germany with an enormous file.
Been trying to work out the history,
turns out the engine replacement in 93 was not the first.
The original cologne was put in may 1988.
A bit of a suprise.
It has a monster rad in it, running a standard looking thermo fan,
water pump is the normal cologne one. Looks like it's got an oil cooler too.
Van has been lowered so much that I can't see Underneath. Will need to stick it on some ramps to gave a
proper look.

[Aidan]

205/70/14 reinforced tyres are the standard option to 185R14C, they are slightly smaller and were fitted to Caravelles running the alloy wheels often, personally I couldn't stand them to drive on, much prefer proper full aspect commercial rubber with stiff sidewalls and decent air pressure in them and nice high load rating, you can't get 205s in anything more than 97 which is what VW fitted, Michelins mostly, though other quality tyres were offered as option.
Be interesting to figure out what really is in the gearbox if the rev counter is right then it's been modified, I guess you could do the turn the engine over tdc to tdc to figure out what the ratios are, but it would really depend on knowing the fd ratio

[Cableguy]

Just an update really with a few queries also!!
Have done about 500 miles so far and only problem has been my garage gave it a service with new plugs and filters etc. Shortly after this, it developed a bad misfire. Turned out the plugs were fecked! Put some new ones in with s wider heat range and sorted it.
It seems to tun quite hot and oil pressure falls from 45 psi down to 20psi,
I'm thinking of fitting an oil cooler to aid cooling.
I've found a good mocal kit and am thinking of tucking it behind the taillight where the right hand rear vent is.
The water cooling side looks ok with a massive rad up front.
The engine is really good and the flexibility of the v6 makes for really relaxed driving, overtaking is easy and I've even ventured into the outside lane on motorways.
Also found the exhaust manifold gaskets were blown apart and that's what made it so noisy. You can here the v6 rumble now, it's awesome:-)
enough rambling from me, do you think the oil cooler is a good idea?
It's about £135 for the whole kit.

[axeman]

i personaly think that an oil cooler will always be a good idea, but the location of it will make a difference to how it operates, most people in europe mount it in front of the rad up front, yet the yanks (acording to the samba.com) sceam to want to mount it in the engine compartment, the choose,

neil

[Cableguy]

Mounting it up front would mean miles of hose, but I suppose it would work better. Especially if it was mounted in front of the rad, the fan would then help cool it.
Have already got my air con rad bolted up front.
Although I'm sure there's space.

[Cableguy]

Ok, oil cooler fitted. Rad is mounted upfront.
I'm contemplating fitting some air vent/scoops in the rear panel to direct more air to the engine.
Need to find something that looks cool.
Should also help with getting fresh air to the air box. Current arrangement isn't great.

[Cableguy]

Coming back from a trip yesterday reached a ton on a slight uphill stretch, ran out of bottle and revs got a bit higher than I'd like, but was still pulling.
It's also a hightop, so a bit sketchy at times.
Should be interesting when the gearbox is sorted:-)

[dickspanner]

How do pal,

Sounds like your learning curve is getting less.

I am running my V6 on a 4 speed CU gearbox and it just pulls and pulls. Not sure how your power is but mine is a relentless pull and it sailed past the end of the speedo last time I give it some berries. I took a lad out in it the other night to help me sort out the smoking problem and he ended up grinning so much if he lent back I am sure the top of his head would of fell off. He was blown away with the power and the pull it had all the way through the rev range.

The sound of the V6 is unique and at Tatton park the other weekend, mine had a true mearcat effect in the paddock, when I fired it up and gave it a few revs it was a people magnet and they were all just drawn to it.

Enjoy the motor pal, enjoy the drive and just enjoy the looks.

Dickspanner

[Cableguy]

Man that sounds awesome:-)
mines a camper and is obviously carrying some baggage, but it's still pulls well.
Think the standard power is supposed to be something like 170bhp, but it's altered for unleaded. That knocks off a bit I guess.
May take it to a rolling road to find out for sure and get it set up perfect.
The lumps been in there a while and the wiring looks poor with lots of scotch connectors, so that's going to keep me busy for a while.

[Cableguy]

Had to have exhaust manifold on one side re-done, gasket had blown to bits again due to a broken stud.
Offending stud drilled out and replaced. Now all systems go.
Next job is going to be either new Bilstein shocks( when Brickwerks get them in)
or get some bigger tyres to help with the gearing.
Had a lengthy chat with Aiden about sorting out the gearbox properly. It's gonna be expensive I think.
Not sure whether to go for a whole new gearset or lengthen top gear.
Think it would be best to go for new gears as I can't use 1st due to the power. Changing from 4th to a long 5th might bring it's own problems,
better start saving!!
Going in the bodyshop next month as well.

[dickspanner]

Aiden is the man, if I had the cash and intended on keeping the crewcab she would have a box built by Aiden without a doubt and the 5th gear would be rude so she could cruise at 80 at some rediculous rpm then just take off again.

At the moment, each person taken out in the crewcab just are shocked by the continous power curve when you hit the loud pedal, it just goes on and on, the only the that gives you some indication is the light on the rev counter set at 6500rpm and my hair getting in my eyes. LOL. The current box is lasting well and the spare DK box is sat in reserve incase something goes wrong.

It has dusted soooo many cars and the best part is the look of disbelief on the other jockeys face as he realises his steed has just been well and truely cained. LOL.

It is so good having something different.

So wanted to get the crewcab to Vanfest.

Dickspanner

[Cableguy]

Got outbid on a tutbo technics kit I saw for the cologne, that wouldve put it in your sort of territory, just,
think it gives 200 bhp.
Might be a bit too much for the old girl though. Engine has done 80k since 93. Would probably kill it!!
Not sure if all the stuff would fit properly either.
Reminds me of a mate who had a lotus cortina and bolted a turbo on it.
Had a new head gasket several times and a couple of pistons and ring sets. But it was the fastest car I've ever been in, even by today's standards.
Look forward to seeing your beast sometime soon.

[dickspanner]

There are a few on here who have seen it and been out in it. I think there will be several on here who saw it limp on and off Tatton park and heard it fire up a few times.

The most annoying thing was the James Bond smoke did not alter the performance at all so when you revved it it sounded sweet, except you could not see it anymore. LOL.

Going to start working on it next week to get her upto her usuual A1 standard the tootle to a few meets in it with a casual for sale sticker in the rear window and see if it generates any interest.

Not in a real rush to sell it now, she is taxed for 6, MOT'd for 12 and insured for 12. So hey hoe, get it sorted and have a bit of fun me thinks.

Will keep an eye out for meets which we are both attaending, will be good to meet up.

Dickspanner

[Jim Hunter]

Any chance you can be able to post some pics

[Cableguy]

Thanks to matt for hosting my pics