VW TDi Tech
Dear Editor,

I love this magazine. I don't have one of the Big Three turbodiesel trucks, but your magazine has a lot of good information on diesels that I can drool over.

I own an '02 TDi Beetle with bigger injector nozzle tips and a chip by Upsolute. My factory horsepower and torque readings are 90 hp and 150 lb-ft, but with my mods it's jumped to about 110 hp and 250 lb-ft. For a four-banger that's pretty damn good for only spending $600 bucks. And when I drive like a granny does, I still get 43mpg on the highway!

There are some companies out there that can do a lot more to a VW TDi than what I've got. So I'm asking if you could possibly do an article or two on hot rodding a VW TDi?

P.S. Do you know of anyone that can modify a VW torque converter for high-performance?

Thanks,
Isaac

We'd love to find someone to do an article or two on the VW TDi-know anyone?

Unfortunately, we were able to find out that the standard VW transmission was never designed to survive the kind of torque you are now generating. However, John at IPT Performance Transmission (1105 Rt. 23 South, Wayne, NJ, 07470; 806-828-7267) advises that they can beef a torque converter to live behind your torque output quite readily. They do it by putting in a better clutch pack, among other things.  The valve bodies are another weak point so they re-bore them and install oversize pieces. The end result is an automatic with more definite shift points and much improved reliability.

Perhaps our readers know of other sources to address transmission reliability issues-ed.

Mercedes' Future in Diesels
Hello,

Congratulations on your new magazine. I notice you seem to be willing to pay attention to any kind of diesel, not just the "Big Three" motors. I have been a Mercedes owner for years, so I am looking forward to their next generation diesels. Is there any word on what Mercedes might do next?

George,
Irvine, CA

Since you bring up Mercedes, we hear that they will be introducing a 50-state legal E-class CDI car as a 2008 model. The car will be the first "bluetec" car to employ urea after-treatment in the North American market. With a seven-speed automatic, we should expect performance comparable to the current E320, which has a top speed of 155 and can do 0-60 in 6.8 seconds.

Meanwhile, BMW is working on a diesel with two-stage turbocharging that would also be available in the U.S. as a 2008 model-ed.

B20 or B100?
Dear Editor,

I have a source of biodiesel near where I live that will supply any mix, from B100 to B20. I have been using B20 and wonder if there is any reason I could not run B100 in my 2001 Cummins?

Jeff
Martinez, CA

With B20 now available at many pumps--and more every day--we get inquiries like yours more often. We have heard of very few problems-most of our readers seem to be enthusiastic about the opportunity to use renewable fuel. However, there are some characteristics of B100 that make it a little different from B20.  For one thing, pure biodiesel has a solvent effect on all the gum and petroleum crud that may have accumulated in your fuel tank or fuel system. Therefore, you should check your filters until the old buildup is eliminated.

Some say that B100 has a shorter shelf life than regular fuels. Six months is the longest most petroleum companies recommend storing regular #2 diesel; with B100, the ideal length of time could be somewhat less. There are, however, a number of commercial fuel stabilizer additives that would extend that length of time. -ed

Our Calculators Work Fine
Hey Guys,

Loved your second issue! But what you said on the cover, "9800 pounds of torque and 5200 turbo-spooling ponies inside!". Now, isn't that a bit of an exaggeration?

I still think you have the best magazine out there. And when can I subscribe?

Ramone
Via e-mail

Aw come on Ramone, it's all in there! Actually, we counted up all the torque and horsepower of all the different trucks in the mag, added it together, and came up with the number. OK, so it's not on one truck, but all the ponies are accounted for if you'd like to do your own math...

Our next issue will include a sub offer...hope you can hang on that long-ed.

No Spacer, No Problem
Dear Diesel World,

Where can I get better wheels for my dually?  Ideally, I'd like wheels that do not require spacers to fit.

Alex

Via E-mail

We're aware that Alcoa manufactures replacement wheels, but we're not sure what sizes are available. Another source would be Budnik (714-892-1932; www.budnik.com). We have 19.5-inch Brentz Wheels on our project dually. They are pricy, but we love the look, and no spacers were required. We believe Brentz (972-241-7373) now makes billet wheels up to 22 inches for dually use-check the website (www.brentzwheels.com) for the latest sizes.

Don't forget you'll need compatible tires, depending on the loads you carry. If you just go with passenger-car tires for the sake of fitment, you will compromise the hauling capacity. We're running 225x70 Toyo Hyparadials, which may be stiff when the bed is empty, but can definitely handle the weight.

Where Was the Sprinter?
DW Editors,

Although I realize this may have been intentional, you left one vehicle out of your history of truck maker's diesels:

In 2001, I believe, a new and somewhat different type truck came to America with only one engine/transmission option.  Built by Mercedes with the Dodge nameplate, Daimler Chrysler chose to get rid of the fledgling Dodge Ram and replace it with the world-renowned Sprinter.

One may say this is not a "truck" or "full-size", but we could say it is near full-size with its 75.7-inch width and heavy-duty ratings in payload, up to 10-passenger seating and a host of configurations that include a cab-chassis that can be mated to a utility or drop-side body, which makes it very much like a pickup truck.

This vehicle, which is available in three wheelbases of a passenger van, and cargo van, and two wheelbases in the cab-chassis, gained very limited market share for the first few years, but look out, I'm starting to see them everywhere now.

Some claim this vehicle is only used in fleets or for commercial use, but this is not true.  Many consumers make full-size vans and conversion vans out of these puppies. DC claims up to 25 mpg with this unusual vehicle.  It can tow only 5,000 lbs, but has a payload up to 4,000 lbs or more.

The power plant is the 2.7-liter I5 MB common rail with a five-speed auto transmission with manual mode shifting.  Available in passenger/cargo van 2500 (3/4-ton) and 3500 (1-ton dually) 118-inch, 140-inch, 158-inch wheelbases (1-ton only in 140-inch and 158-inch) All van configurations available in regular and high cab.  High cab is 72 inches inside from floor to ceiling.  Through 2003, the cab-chassis could be had in all configurations.  In 2004, the cab chassis was limited to the 140-inch and 158-inch configurations only.  For 2005 and up, the cab-chassis is only available in the 1-ton.

The reason I mention the Sprinter is due to its immediate future.  I would venture to say that 2007 will bring the third generation 3.0 liter V6 MB engine with performance numbers over 200 horsepower, torque near 400 lb-ft and fuel economy, possibly, in the mid-20s.   This will be quite an improvement over the 2.7 I5 that lists 154 and 243 horsepower/torque respectively.

This is because the 2.7 I5 and the 3.2 I6 are being replaced by this MB V6 across the spectrum, and, from what I hear will include the Sprinter.  I also hear and see on European websites that there is an all-new Sprinter coming to the world. Should be more capable and will remain practical. This may give the Ram, Super Duty, and Chevy/GMC Heavy Duty something to worry about if more consumers find out about the tremendous versatility and fuel economy of the Dodge Sprinter.  This will be especially true if DC finds a way to substantially bring up the towing capacity.  I don't guess Dodge Ram people would be too worried since DC will get our money either way, but it could cannibalize some of their sales.

Greg Faulkner
Owner of a 2006 Volkswagen Jetta TDi

P.S.  I'm still not a great fan of your magazine, because-as is the case with most automotive magazines-it idolizes unnecessary size and power for American transportation needs.  However, you continue to have some articles praising the worthiness of diesels for improving fuel economy in America.

Moreover, you continue to talk about biofuels that can be naturally blended to compression-ignition engines with little or no modifications to help America secure herself.  For these reasons, I will continue to purchase your magazine, until something that bucks the trend even more comes out.

Thanks for the info, Greg, and for the benefit of the doubt. FYI, we recently tested a Winnebago View based on the Sprinter, 5-cylinder CDI and all, and found it to an extremely efficient, satisfactory open-road cruiser...at 20 mpg. We think you're right-we'll be seeing more of these in the near future-ed.