journeyjim wrote:
I also would like to let it run a lower rpms, but it's probably like the vw's, when I had a tdi asked about lower gearing for mileage, was told that the tdi had to run at the higher rpm for emission reasons, so I figure the crd is the same.
A two speed rear end would be just neat.

That sounds about right, considering the stupidity of the newest emission "reduction" ideas. Hmm, let's reduce emissions by burning even MORE of the stuff that produces the emissions in the first place. The regeneration systems inject raw fuel on the EXHAUST stroke (TOTALLY wasting all that fuel) as a means of raising the EGT.
Does this seem stupid to anyone else?
What that VW answer proves is not that the engine or transmission can't handle the lower RPM (which it OBVIOUSLY can, it does it from every single stoplight) but that the EPA doesn't WANT less fuel burned. Burning less fuel will INSTANTLY reduce the emissions by that same percentage, all the time and forever.
I'm hearing similar arguments from even the ultra-greenie crowd that wants to build electric vehicles. People have asked the question: "Why not power an electric car with a small or medium size generator, instead of dead-weight batteries?" "Because generators don't have any of the emissions control equipment of larger car engines" is the answer.
What I see as the hidden answer: "Because a generator that burns ONE gallon per HOUR all the time would mean a car getting 80 mpg at 80mph, 60mpg at 60mph... And it is completely impossible to develop ANY emission controls for a small engine that burns so little fuel. It really needs to burn 10 gallons per hour or more."
The fallacy there is that is is OF COURSE possible to develop emission controls for a small engine. I'm sure that a tiny catalytic converter could be developed with an ELECTRIC heater (instead of a raw fuel heater) just like have been used for 20 years on cars. But the emissions output of such a small engine... Do they REALLY compare with the likes of a Hummer or an Excursion?
The people who make those decisions have either had lobotomies, or been completely bought off. There isn't any other LOGICAL conclusion.