PERKY ACTIVA WHEN TEMPERATURE PLUMMETED.

[chrisjvm]

Was I imagining that the throttle response was markedly quicker when I drove the Activa early on Sunday morning? ( o/s temp 0 degrees)
It definitely felt quicker....
If so, is there anyway of replicating the extra oomph when its
Not freezing outside...
A charge cooler maybe ?

Regards
Chris

[Northern_Mike]

Was I imagining that the throttle response was markedly quicker when I drove the Activa early on Sunday morning? ( o/s temp 0 degrees)
It definitely felt quicker....
If so, is there anyway of replicating the extra oomph when its
Not freezing outside...
A charge cooler maybe ?

Regards
Chris

"A charge cooler maybe"..

That's pretty much it. Colder air temps = higher oxygen density in the air = better burn = more power.

There are plenty of people here who know how to get more power out of an Activa with an manual boost controller and a bit of tweaking. I've never done it on an Activa, but I've done 5 or 6 Saab 900 Turbos.

[Citroenmad]

I have never noticed any dramatic difference when driving my Activa in cold weather. There might be a small difference due to the slightly better burn with cold temperatures.

My Activa has the manaual boost controller and it does make a huge difference. I bought my Activa with it on and Gareth, the previous owner, had set it up just right. It pulls like a train but most impressive of all is the amount of low down pull it has. having driven a standard Activa this mod really does make the cars worlds apart.

[Northern_Mike]

I have never noticed any dramatic difference when driving my Activa in cold weather. There might be a small difference due to the slightly better burn with cold temperatures.

My Activa has the manaual boost controller and it does make a huge difference. I bought my Activa with it on and Gareth, the previous owner, had set it up just right. It pulls like a train but most impressive of all is the amount of low down pull it has. having driven a standard Activa this mod really does make the cars worlds apart.

it was quite obvious on the Saab 900T16, but, it did depend if you were caning it or not. Normal driving, you didn't really notice it as you wouldn't be using all the boost. The boost gauge would go up to near the line between "orange and red". In cold weather, it would go up higher and pull harder. In basic terms, the APC (Automatic Boost controller) picked up signals from the knock sensor and backed the boost off until it stopped knocking. The colder the weather, the less knock. Once I'd modified the APC - so simple even I could do it with 4 10p resistors from Maplins, and a small screwdriver, it was easy to adjust the 3 parameters it controlled - boost pressure, boost rise rate and fuelling, to get around 200bhp out it on the standard engine

[chrisjvm]

Thanks Chaps...
I was sort of imagining it then !?
The Charge cooler suggestion was because enthusiasts started
Fitting them to VW T25's, the 1.6td engine ... I think it gave them a bit more power... Only a bit mind!!

Regards
Chris

[Citroenmad]

Yes, it will have an effect but im not sure as to how noticeable it would be. You can see the need for it in a 1.6TD T25 though

Has yours got a manual boost controller?

[Northern_Mike]

Thanks Chaps...
I was sort of imagining it then !?

In my experience, no you weren't imagining it. It's only really noticeable if you are really hammering it though.

Mine was really nice when it was -12 back on xmas day 2010 when I was driving up North. I have a picture somewhere with the temp readout on the dash showing -13c as I drove up the M40.

[chrisjvm]

Indeed Chris...
70 wild horses and all that Campervan gear does not make for a fast getaway vehicle...
But plenty of Nooks and crannies to hide the loot though!
Right,gone a bit off subject!
No boost valve yet... It's on the list after brakes and suspension!

Regards
Chris

[chrisjvm]

"In my experience, no you weren't imagining it. It's only really noticeable if you are really hammering it though"

Thanks Mike...
I was beginning to doubt myself....
Bring on the winter and sub zero temperatures!

How are you getting on with the V6?
I was definitely tempted despite the autobox( Activa's so thirsy)
Then came to my senses and remembered I've got
Nowhere to park it and still one to sell.

Regards
Chris

[Citroenmad]

I can say that an Activa is no worse on fuel, better if you use the V6 to its full

Very different cars though, the V6 Exclusive and the TCT Activa. The V6 is a cruiser which has the pace when you need it and the noise too. Activa is a much more nimble car which feels lighter and its hugely chuckable.

Im intrigued now, I'll have to wait for a cold day and take my Activa out for a blast

[chrisjvm]

" I can say that an Activa is no worse on fuel, better if you use the V6 to its full"

Oh, I thought the V6 was better on fuel than an Activa...
In the end I might have to sell it for an HDI as due to
Family issues I'm having to do a fair bit of private mileage now...
Something that was unforseen when i bought the Activa....
Hope you notice and enjoy the extra oomph the next time its sub zero!

Regards
Chris

[Citroenmad]

For me, the V6 made me a more laid back driver - possibly because of its autobox, so I got decent (fora V6) economy. With the Activa it encourages me and so my foot is always down, so the economy is not great. However, I would say with the same use, they would be very similar on fuel, certainly no match for a HDi

[chrisjvm]

I'm the same,
I do exploit the Activa's abilities ... They're a hoot!
I did try something sensible and staid, the XM TCT AUTO,but I hankered after something that handled... Having previously
Owned an M3 EVO

Regards
Chris

[Northern_Mike]

"In my experience, no you weren't imagining it. It's only really noticeable if you are really hammering it though"

Thanks Mike...
I was beginning to doubt myself....
Bring on the winter and sub zero temperatures!

How are you getting on with the V6?
I was definitely tempted despite the autobox( Activa's so thirsy)
Then came to my senses and remembered I've got
Nowhere to park it and still one to sell.

The V6 is excellent. The autobox is pretty good actually, it's one of the best I've used. It's got that auto-adaptive tech on it, which works well, and if you want to go faster, stick it in sport mode and it changes down instead of freewheels on bends. It's really rather good. It also sounds fantastic.

Having had a good Activa and a good V6, I'd have a V6 every time. Ok, it doesn't corner as well, but it's considerably quicker in a straight line, so I don't think that it makes any difference overall. I had a blast in it today. There's a particular hill I like to see how fast cars will go up it. The V6 wins by a considerable margin.. I can live with a little roll.

[chrisjvm]

Sounds great Mike...
It's another one on my list then...
Will definitely own one before i get my ultimate Citroen ...
An SM!

Regards
Chris