ZX Performance....

rossnunn · Unread post by **rossnunn** » 17 Mar 2004, 22:05

My 1.4i seems a bit sluggish in the mid to high range 40 - 60+mph compared to my old 1.4carb. I know it will naturally be abit slower bit is there anything people can recomend to upgrade the performance?
My Turbo idea was shot down before I even lifted a spanner!
R

CITMAN · Unread post by **CITMAN** » 18 Mar 2004, 00:39

yeah mine is too. I have to make use of the gears to make reasonable progress. Mine seems to pull better at about 3500 onwards.

CITMAN · Unread post by **CITMAN** » 18 Mar 2004, 02:49

Forgot to say, I was talking to a citroen mechanic a while ago. And he said that the 1.4 carb was the smoother and quicker engine when compared to the 1.4i, he said that this was due to the fact that the later 1.4i had mods carried out to the cylinder head to meet emissions requirements, and the fact that the cat convertor strangled the engine. Therefore it felt more sluggish.
Having heard a zx 1.4 carb engine, I can defo say that it seems smoother and more free revving than my 1.4i.

goose · Unread post by **goose** » 18 Mar 2004, 03:31

induction kit!!
polish and ported head!!
de-cat!!

arry_b · Unread post by **arry_b** » 18 Mar 2004, 16:47

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by goose

induction kit!!
polish and ported head!!
de-cat!!
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Err... It's a 1.4, sell it and buy a bigger engined one if you want to go faster. The minimal gains it will make on an injected motor aren't worth the bother. You'll need to spend vast sums of money (relative to what the car is worth) to actually measure any real difference on the road.
Then you'll have hassle with insurance, which is nice of them.
All of the above is IMO of course, in the end you do what you want!

tomsheppard · Unread post by **tomsheppard** » 18 Mar 2004, 18:08

You may well not be allowed to decat it if it is a newer model. Engine mods cost too much to make it worthwhile.

Stuart McB · Unread post by **Stuart McB** » 18 Mar 2004, 23:28

1.9 diesel turbo of course. Thats what you need to go faster. good MPG, cheaper insurance and they're rapid as far as old diesels go. Every morning on my way to work some d**head is left standing as he thinks "old manky motor I'll blow that a way in my new Astra" or such like company car. Good for 80 and like's to cruise at 65 to 70mph.

gjb02 · Unread post by **gjb02** » 19 Mar 2004, 08:48

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Stuart McB
Every morning on my way to work some d**head is left standing as he thinks "old manky motor I'll blow that a way in my new Astra" or such like company car. <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Yes, the old ZX 16v seems to put a look of amazement and disgust on these 'new car' types. It's not the fastest car out there but on most occassions it certainly feels like it is!![:D][:p][}:)]
I'm still amazed at the speed of the new generation of TDCi, DTi, TDi...whatever. Common rail direct injection diesels. Mostly the german ones, normally reps driving. You know the ones I mean.
Still original thread...1.4i! Turbo? Supercharger? Filter? Exhaust, cams, headwork, or remapped ecu perhaps? DON'T BOTHER![:)] Unless of course you want to turn your 1.4i into a geezer mobile. Ok they would be amazed at the lovely note from the exhaust, the roar of the induction....the plumes of smoke as the engine blows!!
It would just end up constant speed / variable noise vehicle, save your money and consider opting for a larger engine... the 1.8i Furio is a nice start, working up to the 2.0 8v Volcane, then to the mighty 2.0 16v...but I'm biased...and slightly mad, not to mention a borderline insomniac.[:D]

rossnunn · Unread post by **rossnunn** » 20 Mar 2004, 23:11

Yeh I was looking at a TD but is down to costs - insurance for a start then the tax! Maybe in a few years I'll leave the French clan in the vain of finding something sutiablely quick.......R32 Golf anyone......