<VV> Are Turbo Vairs worth having? (Off list)
Eric S. Eberhard
flash@vicspdi.com
Sun, 21 Nov 2004 16:58:30 -0700
Thanks ... I really enjoy my vairs and drive them a lot. I just don't try
to pretend it is because they are fast ... I lost interest in fast cars 10
years ago when I bought a Cadillac Eldorado with the Northstar. It ran up
to just over 155 here in the desert and was boring to do so. It was so
well mannered, still had a/c on, quiet, etc. I could even set the cruise
control up to 155! 0-60 was in the 6 second range without any talent (push
pedal and let the electronics handle the wheel spin). My diesel
Powerstroke pickup would out drag most any vair (350+ hp and 700 lb/feet
torque). At maximum boost it puts out 28-30 lbs! Yikes! The problem is
that modern fast cars are too fast to actually drive at speed on public
roads. And, with the computers doing all the thinking for the brakes and
wheel spin and handling (stability control is cool), the excitement is gone
from fast. My Corvair at 80 with the top down is MUCH more exciting and
just about as fast as I would ever want to go in the old car. And since
the speed limit is 75 here, I won't land in jail :-)
At 01:49 PM 11/21/2004, you wrote:
>Hi Eric,
>
>That's definitely putting it in perspective - I hadn't thought of it that
>way (subconsciously, I suppose I did, but chose to ignore it ;) I did the
>Ignitor II and Coil, did the wires (Seth's), did the Otto pan and
>stopped. I still use the AC44FF plugs (might try the NGK), but I got gun
>shy and wasn't sure how much I would gain by putting in a lot of time and
>money.
>
>I don't drag anyone (well, one or two times ;) And most of the times I
>take the car in nice weather (convertible) and take the kids out for ice
>cream or miniature golfing. I'm probably not a good candidate for all of
>the turbo mods.
>
>Thanks again,
>
>Lou
>
>On Nov 21, 2004, at 3:27 PM, Eric S. Eberhard wrote:
>
>>Seriously -- just do a few ignition upgrades and call it done. Save a
>>lot of money and heartache (unless of course the mission is to tinker
>>with it!).
>>
>>A turbo vair from contemporary road tests did zero - 60 in the 11+ second
>>range. If by some miracle you improved that by 20 percent (and that
>>would be a LOT for a street car) you would still be in the 9 second
>>range. This means that most mini-vans and economy cars will blow you in
>>to the weeds. I love my turbo, but I don't drag race anything because I
>>loose. The fun is in driving some thing unusual, something that gets a
>>lot of people to stop and say hi whenever you park, something that looks
>>and sounds cool, and is engaging to drive.
>>
>>PS -- yes you can get even more ... but the cost would be high,
>>reliability low, and it would not be very streetable. A stock Mustang
>>will do 0-60 in under 6 seconds for under 25 grand ... I cannot imagine
>>anything you could do to compete with that at any price ... but even if
>>you did it would not be reliable as the Mustang get the mileage, have
>>A/C, etc ...
>>
>>At 09:21 AM 11/18/2004, you wrote:
>>>I just like showing off all of the shiny parts ;)
>>>
>>>Seriously though, is there a middle ground on upgrades to a stock turbo
>>>setup to get a little more oommph? I noticed all of the coatings and
>>>head changes, but does anyone have a recommendation on what to do to
>>>just get the most out of what's already there?
>>>
>>>
>>>I also noticed that (or didn't see) any suggestions on the cam if you're
>>>doing a rebuild of a turbo engine.
>>>
>>>Regards,
>>>
>>>Lou
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>>
>>Eric S. Eberhard
>>(928) 567-3727 Voice
>>(928) 567-6122 Fax
>>(800) 569-1122 Denver Office (I am never there, you can leave a
>>message)
>>
>>928-301-7537 -- you may call any time day or night, I turn it off when I
>>sleep :-) Please try to use a land line first (reception often poor).
>>
>>
>>
>>http://www.vicspdi.com
>>
>>Completely updated web site of personal pictures with many new
>>pictures! Includes horses, dogs, Corvairs, and more.
>>
>>http://www.vicspdi.com/ourpics/index.html
>>
>>NEW Corvair pictures including the Judson setup on our 62 Sedan and lots
>>of pictures of Cheryl's 62 Monza Wagon (with Kelsey-Hayes wire wheels).
>>
>>http://www.vicspdi.com/ourpics/corvairs.html
>
>Eric S. Eberhard
>(928) 567-3727 Voice
>(928) 567-6122 Fax
>(800) 569-1122 Denver Office (I am never there, you can leave a
>message)
>
>928-301-7537 -- you may call any time day or night, I turn it off when I
>sleep :-) Please try to use a land line first (reception often poor).
>
>
>
>http://www.vicspdi.com
>
>Completely updated web site of personal pictures with many new
>pictures! Includes horses, dogs, Corvairs, and more.
>
>http://www.vicspdi.com/ourpics/index.html
>
>NEW Corvair pictures including the Judson setup on our 62 Sedan and lots
>of pictures of Cheryl's 62 Monza Wagon (with Kelsey-Hayes wire wheels).
>
>http://www.vicspdi.com/ourpics/corvairs.html