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| ROADTESTS |
| SAC VolksWagen Combi 2,6 Conversion |
 | Magazine - July 2000 | | | - More power for your Combi - | | Many caravaners have found the trusty old Microbus to be exactly what the doctor ordered when it comes to caravaning holidays. | | The combination of good and accessible space and great towing characteristics make it ideally suited for families who caravan. | | Sometimes, however, the 2,6 motor is just not quite enough for comfortable touring with a larger caravan. | |  | |
| The problem with larger family vehicles is that they invariable hold larger families which in turn require larger caravans. |
| While the weight of the Microbus will allow towing of fairly large caravans, the motor can sometimes be limiting, especially at altitude. |
| While the standard bus bus is likely to be adequate in most situations it is sometimes useful to have a little bit of extra oomph for overtaking or holding that cruising speed up the hills. |
| Well, if this situation sounds familiar to you, then Steve's Auto Clinic (SAC) have the solution. | | They offer a standard conversion to the 2,6-litre Microbus which gives it that little bit of extra voomah you require. | | The conversion sees torque levels increase from 220 up to 265 Nm. | | This torque peak is raised dramatically in the rev range from the engine's peak at 2 713 rpm to the new peak at 4 383. | | This statistic is somewhat misleading, though, as torque is increased dramatically right accross the range, even at far lower revs. | |  | |
| These dramatic increases in power and torque are obtained by gasflowing the cylinder head, enlarging the inlet valves and gasflowing the inlet manifold. |
| The throttle body is also enlarged and an adjustable fuel pressure regulator is fitted. |
| The electronic control unit is then remapped making use of a UNICHIP piggyback computer system and the fuel injection system is optimised to ensure best performance. |
| Fitting a free flow exhaust system makes the most of all the work carried out. |
| We found the converted vehicle to be simply astounding in terms of pure brute power and it will keep any speed freak happy. |
| More importantly, though, hitching up even the largest of caravans can be done without undue concern. |
| This conversion means that one would be able to tow anything up to the legal weight limit with ease and still have sufficient power for overtaking manouvres and holding speed up steep hills. |
| If driven carefully the conversion can also help to keep consumption down by keeping gear changes to a minimum. |
| Of course all that goes out the window if you drive this vehicle with the passion it seems to call for ! |
| With any conversion such as this we feel it is necessary to voice our concerns that there may be just too much power on hand. |
| Caravans are not designed to be towed at high speeds and, while this sort of power will allow one to way exceed safe limits, we still recommend a towing speed of not more than 100 km/h. |
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| Click Here to get an SAC consultant to advise you! |
| Click here for more about our conversions |
| Performance / power conversions, modifications, engine upgrades available for Alfa, Audi, BMW, Chev, Chrysler, Colt, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Isuzu, Jeep, Kia, Mazda, Mercedes, Mini, Nissan, Opel, Toyota, VW and more... |
