Heated debate about VW Engines

[Maineiac]

Yesterday I had a heated disscussion with a friend at a bikers gathering.A fellow biker made the statement that I did not need a bigger VW engine than a 1600cc in a trike. Now he could be right. He said that a 1600cc and a 2330cc would turn 6,500 to 7,000 rpm at 75 miles MPH. I said how the heck can that be. The 2330cc will not be working as hard at 75mph than the 1600cc. So therefor my opnion is that the 2330cc will be turning at a lower RPM. Weight factors being the same and like trikes. Is there something I missed if so please someone correct me with an explanation.

[John Luciano]

Now I am confused CC has nothing to do with how many RPMs the engine turns at a given MPH. GEARing is what controls that . TRUE to your argument , you can gear a 2,330 motor higher because it has the HP to pull taller gears.The 1600 will bog down and will constantly have to be shifted to a lower gear. So if both motors have the same gearing are on a flat road doing 70 MPH they will be turning the same RPM.when they get to a steep hill the 1600 will slow down a require a down shift the 2330 wont.

[Baz]

Now I am confused CC has nothing to do with how many RPMs the engine turns at a given MPH. GEARing is what controls that . TRUE to your argument , you can gear a 2,330 motor higher because it has the HP to pull taller gears.The 1600 will bog down and will constantly have to be shifted to a lower gear. So if both motors have the same gearing are on a flat road doing 70 MPH they will be turning the same RPM.when they get to a steep hill the 1600 will slow down a require a down shift the 2330 wont.

Exactly ! But it is revolutions per minute ( RPM ) gentlemen not per minutes.(RPMs) :yes:

[champsman97045]

I believe you are wrong about the RPM at 75 , as mine only turns 3500 at 75 and is all stock vw rearend with IRS , also I have lots of power and only 1915cc.

[Maineiac]

Hi John: Thanks so much. Your one of the reasons why I love this forum so much. I don't know where my brain was. You are absolutly right. It is all in the gearing. I don't know why I didn't even think of the gears. Now with your explanation I fully understand. Thanks again John. Arnold

[Maineiac]

Hi Mr. Champsman: You are right. The VW's stocks only turns about 3500. I just threw that 7500 figure out there. It's been about 7 or 8 years since I've owned and road a trike. Boy do I ever miss it. Got to get back in it soon. Thanks for your input. Arnold

[Trikester11]

The volkswagon was between 25-2700 lbs and a trike between 850-1000, I personally don't think a 1600 engine would have any problem taking it to the higher speed. The 2300 may do that faster but what the heck. There'll be no bogging going up a hill!