Syncro Caravelle to Camper Project

[Peninsulakid]

Filled up again after pretty much driving at least half of the tank at 50mph on A roads from Swansea to Telford and back, (dropping Lees van off).
Mario gave his installation a check over and was happy with everything. Got 32.4 mpg with what I would describe as mainly hard driving.
Lots of talk with Lee on the way back about what to put in my 1.9DG panel van. Octavia 1.8 Turbo 20 valve with 180 horse (AUQ) or AFN. Costs for both installation are roughly the same.
Lee and I keep coming back to the AFN as we both know how good the camper pulls and better to have low revs for the off road stuff. Only down side that we can think of is the diesel vibe.
If anyone has any experience of a 1.8T 20 valve engine swop I would be very interested to hear any comments.
Cheers Rich

[Peninsulakid]

Well another few ticks in the box competed.



Power steering by Roger Hicks, a mark 2 version of Lee's system.

Spare wheel holder from syncronutz.

Gear box back from Aidan with longer 3rd and 4th. With many thanks to Lee for putting back in van.

So Power steering is superb, steering was really heavy compared to any other van I have driven but is now just spot on. Can turn sensitivity up or down or even off if want. If your interested Both Lee and I can vouch for the system and put you in touch with Roger.

At last the spare wheel is out of the high top. A quality item from syncronutz that is really easy to fit. Even if you think your not practical I would say you could fit the carrier.

Gear box with thanks to Aidan and Lee. Wow, no more jumping out of 1st or grinding going into 3rd. The box is the 486 out of the Doka, Aidan has put 1.14 3rd and .73 4th in.

Rev counter is now saying 2900 at 60mph. Lee tells me that this is wrong and doing the math it should read 2581 revs at 60mph. Really smooth and quiet at this speed. Haven't been on motorway yet so will let you know how it is at 80mph in a few days.

Still pulls like a train from 25/30 mph in 3rd and 30/35mph in 4th.

I'm smiling all over.

Thanks to everyone involved for all their help.

Webasto night heater is next.

Cheers Rich

[ninja.turtle007]

I will be interested to see how it effects MPG.

How is it on hills now you have the longer gears?

[Peninsulakid]

Hardly any difference. There is loads of power on tap. Don't need to change down, just push the right foot a little harder.

Not sure what the van weighs but must be more than a panel van. If this set up was in a panel van, it wouldn't be far off being called a sports car!!!!!

[jed the spread]

Webasto night heater is next.

Wheres it going? remember where your charge cooler is and your snorkel is going

Really chuffed your Project is going great and the Syncro-nutz wheel carrier is awesome isnt it? I carry three bikes off mine Cant wait to get mine back now, bought some new much bigger and better rubber as well as the other zillion and one things that have been flying round my head the last few weeks. I have actually been kept awake with excitement a few nights all ready
jed

[ninja.turtle007]

With the Reimo interior you must be of a similar weight to a Westy.

You've got to stop posting positive comments as I'm getting too excited!! I can't wait to get mine back!

Has Lee got his back?

[jed the spread]

Has Lee got his back?

I spoke to him yesterday and he hasnt.

Just on a little MPG point Tom when I fitted a hightop to my old pop top I was getting 20 miles less per 200 miles. If you reverse that on Rich's mpg (his is a hightop) I recon we will be rocking (my old van was a petrol)


jed

[Peninsulakid]

Tom
I can only post positive stuff coz there is nothing to worry about. I'm sure you'll be exactly the same.

Jed
You'll be in exactly the same place. Power and economy in the best van ever made.

Thinking of putting webasto in bottom of wardrobe with a false floor. Not really sure though as not done any research. Any ideas would be very welcome.

Not going to wish you both luck. When you get your vans back you will know exactly why. Smiling from ear to ear!!

Cheers Rich

[jed the spread]

Thinking of putting webasto in bottom of wardrobe with a false floor. Not really sure though as not done any research

I could get D2 near new ebbers with the 7 day timer for £300 last year. Wanna see if I can still get them or do you specifically want a coolant heater?

jed

[ninja.turtle007]

Thinking of putting webasto in bottom of wardrobe with a false floor. Not really sure though as not done any research

I could get D2 near new ebbers with the 7 day timer for £300 last year. Wanna see if I can still get them or do you specifically want a coolant heater?

jed

I'll have one for that money, please. I have one in the caravelle and wouldn't have anything else.

[Peninsulakid]

Only reason I was going webasto was coz I had one out of a Merc Vito 07 plate that I had for work. Previous owner used to keep stuff in van overnight that didn't like condensation!!! From memory its an S2000 (will check tomorrow as its in my unit) Its free so why should I buy anything else?

Of course if the tech boys on here can tell me its cr.. and I should sell it and get an Eber then I'll take the advice.

Cheers Rich

[jed the spread]

Only reason I was going webasto was coz I had one out of a Merc Vito 07 plate that I had for work. Previous owner used to keep stuff in van overnight that didn't like condensation!!! From memory its an S2000 (will check tomorrow as its in my unit) Its free so why should I buy anything else?

Of course if the tech boys on here can tell me its cr.. and I should sell it and get an Eber then I'll take the advice.

Cheers Rich

Give us a ring tomorrow and I will explain how they work. I did start to type it out but I realized it would take for ages

jed

[dirty-syncro-lover]

if you want to sell the webasto heater pm me!

[v-lux]

Some more mpg info....

I cant be bothered to type all the figures out but ive been keeping a close eye on things and working out each tank on my drive from UK to Innsbruck.

Fully loaded van - approx 2.5t, massive Thule top box, another less aerodynamic box, and jerry cans waffle boards etc up on the roof.
Standard 5.43 final drive with standard diesel ratios.
Getting consistent 27-28mpg (100km/10l) at mostly 100kmh on motorways.

(fyi - ive taken into account speedo inaccuracies and worked it out with satnav speeds and actual distances traveled)

All pretty much as i expected, given the extra wind resistance of all the junk up top.

[..lee..]

best with my mtdi 34mpg empty van including all day offroading worst 25mpg loaded dover to home 75mph all the way.