[Vwdiesel] RE: Vwdiesel Digest, Vol 9, Issue 5

[LBaird119 at aol.com]

In a message dated 7/8/2004 8:40:23 AM Pacific Standard Time, 
greg4vwparts at hotmail.com writes:

> Wheel spin 
> is lost energy and torque steer means the chasis is overpowered. I don't see 
> 
> the point of extra power if it is always "in reserve". 

  Wheel spin???  I get WAY more wheel spin in my 48hp Rabbit than 
I could ever think of getting in Dad's 90hp Passat!  That has more to do with 

suspension and driving style/technique more than the power.  Reserve power 
means safety where I drive.  Get on a mountain pass and come up short of 
power when trying to get around one of these "75mph on the straight and 
35mph on the curves" people!  It can get you killed or you just go nuts 
stomping the brakes behind some of those people.
  Torque steer is an inheirent property of front wheel drive.  It doesn't 
mean the chassis is overpowered.  A LOT of engineering goes in to 
dampening torque steer, such as different length axles, different weights 
of axles, tube sizes, suspension geometry, alignment specs.  I read a  
pretty good article on it way back. Power just emphasises the existing 
problem.  It doesn't create it.


Matters well drive a 
> 
> car full out and not have any surprises when asking for more power (like 
> spinning out in snow) makes a better driver/safer one.


  Again I've not noticed the higher power making a problem in snow, 
which we get a good share of.  Has more to do with if the throttle is 
touchy, which the NA, TD nor TDI seem to be.

> I find the 1.6 runs a similar rpm as the tdi (or atleast I run it the same 
> manner-shift as early as possible) it just depends on your transmission, 
> most TDIs have lower gearing.

  The TDI's have MUCH higher gearing.  Dad's runs about 2,200 RPM 
where the Jetta (with the FF tranny, about as high as the 1.6 gets) 
is turning about 3,000.  Higher gearing wouldve been nice in those 
earlier trannies.  :-P

> My point is the TDI is really unnecessary for the size of our cars, give me 
> 
> an SDI (nonturbo) and I would be happy.

  Sounds like you are.  It doesn't mean it's unnecessary.  I'm plenty happy 
with my 1.5 but realize a TDI is a vastly different beast.  It's direct 
injected, 
bigger and electronically controlled.  I think we'd all like the first part, 
most 
wouldn't mind the second and a good share of us would be happy without 
the third.   ;-)
  I seriously doubt DOT would be suddenly allowing thinner glass, besides 
the quietness of the newer cars is one feature that would sway me toward 
one.  If yours was noisier something probably wasn't fitting right.  I sure 
never found a stock 1.6 to have quieter engine or exhaust sound than a 
TDI either.
  Dad consistently gets about 80 miles/tank so to never reach 600 sounds 
like something wasn't right. I can barely get over 400 miles/tank in my 85 
Jetta!
  Let me know if your dad ever wants to part with the Toyota.  I have a 
friend that's been passively looking for a Toyota 4X TD for a long time.  :)
     Loren