Sensible Mods to Increase Performance

[ridders]

Had a readup on old threads etc.
Its a 1984 1.9cc watercooled Holdsworth Hightop.
Took the van out on Saturday for its longest journey since owning it...a whopping 15 miles!!
While i appreciate it old technology lugging around a 2 1/2 tonne brick, is there any sensible changes i can make to improve its performance? keeping up with servicing and using decent parts i know is a must as too is daft things like tyre pressures etc. Don't want to change the engine or anyhing drastic like that. Also don't want to make the 22mpg any worse than already.
What have you all done to improve things?

[R0B]

it would help to tell us what engine you have.if its a 1.6 oil burner then the answer is.sorry no theres nowt you can do.

[Flibbertigibbet]

I need mods to slow my down

[The Reverend Pimp Daddy]

I need mods to slow my down

Middle pedal......BRAKE.......or was that an optional on yours......

[jason k]

as they saying goes "speed costs, how fast do you want to go??"

first thing i would look at would be carbs , slap on a set of dells and get them jetted, should make a hooooge difference!!

[Fritz]

The simplest 'Hop up' parts you can use are slightly bigger tyres fitted to the rear wheels.....Or fitting a Nitros Oxide kit to give you some added boost when overtaking milkfloats,,,,


Regards


Fritz,,,,,,,,,,,,

[maxstu]

Hi ridders,

If you've only driven 15 miles since buying her then it's only cost you three quid so far Well cheap!

Seriously, either come to terms with duff economy or start spending mucho dinero getting her gassed for LPG. Considering it's carrying your home on it's back I think fuel economy is quite reasonable. Besides, it didn't stop you from buying one, did it?

Performance wise.... a 1900 wasser should hold 65mph on motorway with ease. That's a decently average roadtrip speed in my eyes. Decent plugs, leads, dizzy all help. Get her carb tuned, serviced or overhauled by competent tuner. I use Sanspeed in Bexleyheath, Kent. Top geezer. Also buy a can of carb cleaner and with the help of an assistant behind the wheel, rev her up and spray away. Worked a treat with mine.

On motorways, I get about 24mpg from my pop top. Initially I started driving at 55mph for maximum MPG. However, I found it was counterproductive (boring too) in many ways.

Firstly, at 55mph the five speed gearbox places the revs under max torque of engine. So even the slightest incline needed fourth and more revs and so dented the hopes of added economy.

Furthermore, I personally believe 55mph is a dangerous speed. Too many big fecking lorries trying to squeeze 57mph from their limiters & constantly on your tail waiting for the exact spot to overtake. This leaves you forever monitoring your mirrors plus taking in road ahead. Which you should do of course. But being boxed in by three lorries is NOT fun. Stay away from them or pass them with haste is my advise.

Another thing I have found since increasing my overall motorway speeds, is my engine runs so much better nowadays. It's feels strong, flexible and revs perfectly. I don't thrash her. But I do hold each gear longer than before. Probably to 3/4 max revs. I think it does her good to stretch her legs so to speak. I also renew filters (oil & fuel) at 5K intervals. And the air filter when it looks unclean, or about 10k.

I should point out my engine's a recon with 15k to date since fitting in sept 1997.

Sod the economy...put yer foot down and blow out some cobwebs. It'll do her good.

Cheers

[oldiguana]

this place is jus fulla comedians....ah conna wait for bustypes!!!

[Pootle]

is there any sensible changes i can make to improve its performance... Also don't want to make the 22mpg any worse than already.

My 2 pence worth...

Anything you do to improve the speed will involved dumping more petrol into the engine so the 22mpg will get worse. By the way, 22mpg is average for the 1.9 - some get a lot less. My 1989 1.9 wasserboxer will hit 80 on the flat, but is struggling and at that speed I find the wind noise stressful. It will happily burble along at 65 all day.

I found that changing the carb for a Weber improved the acceleration but the petrol consumption shot up. If I drive with a light foot, the consumption is about the same as the old Pierburg. It's not a mod I'd recommend, because Webers can be unreliable.

Lowering the suspension will give a much more stable ride on the motorway, the van wanders a bit on the stock suspension especially in a crosswind. I dropped 30mm, which I think is the minimum. The down side is that the ride then becomes harsher and you will feel the bumps on rougher roads (most of Bristol...)

If the battery is a more than few years old you will find that a new one will really spin the starter much better. Also, I've completely renewed all the HT electrics (leads and components) and the van is very reliable.

Road noise 1 - when I had a respray a couple of years ago I fitted a complete new set of door and window rubbers all round. Driving the van was MUCH quieter after that. Old, hard rubber really lets the wind whistle in on the motorway and the new rubber sealed the gaps a lot better.

Road noise 2 - because you are sitting right above the road wheels, you will really hear a "noisy" tyre. I ran Camacs a while ago (Czech tyres with the stopping characteristics of oily glass), they "howled" at motrway speeds. I'm running Firestones now, they are much quieter.

Hope this helps,

[kev706]

Get some club 80-90 stickers made mine much faster.