1.9DG Engine Tuning Options

[LeeME3]

And i don't mean for masses of power. She's in for a gasure LPG conversion in a couple weeks and I'm just wondering if there are other sensible tuning options basically just to make her run smooth and perhaps improve economy / power output. Thinking the carbs and stuff like that, few hundred £ stuff.

Ta!

[Ian Hulley]

You're already doing the best thing for economy and smoothness.

Ian

[California Dreamin]

Just making sure the engine is properly serviced ie: new plugs/leads/dizzy cap/rotor arm/air filter/oil & filter.....exhaust in good condition.
No need to setup anything as Steve's gas conversion will be setup initially and re-calibrated once it's settled in.

Martin

[Ian Hulley]

Thinking the carbs

CarbS ? You not got the standard Pierburg ?

Ian

[ajsimmo]

Just making sure the engine is properly serviced ie: new plugs/leads/dizzy cap/rotor arm/air filter/oil & filter.....exhaust in good condition.
No need to setup anything as Steve's gas conversion will be setup initially and re-calibrated once it's settled in.

What Martin says...Except it will be Andrew converting it

Looking forward to meeting you

Anna

[LeeME3]

Thinking the carbs

CarbS ? You not got the standard Pierburg ?

Ian

Oooops, typo!

Thanks all, I'll check those items which combined with the LPG sounds like it'll have the desired effect.

[Ian Hulley]

That makes life easier

Enjoy the smoooothness and extra scope to use the van freely

[Zebedee]

You'll be suprised at just how smooth a 1.9DG engine will run when its not running on liquid gold. The difference in mine between LPG and petrol is like night and day.

[LeeME3]

You'll be suprised at just how smooth a 1.9DG engine will run when its not running on liquid gold. The difference in mine between LPG and petrol is like night and day.

To be fair she runs nice at the moment, just keen to keep her that way seeing as I have accidentally bought a half decent one (fate tempted)

[kevtherev]

improve economy / power output.

Ah the holy grail...
often sought never found.

power and economy are not bedfellows.
LPG will not give you the power but will deliver economy by the bucketfull.

Power is easier, that's a set of Dells and a stainless early exhaust.
or have it Suberuined/ottingerbreaded or V8 3.9l Rovered.

[LeeME3]

Power is easier, that's a set of Dells and a stainless early exhaust.
or have it Suberuined/ottingerbreaded or V8 3.9l Rovered.

She's already got a custom ss exhaust that looks like a nice unit so that'll be staying. Quite tempted by twin carbs though just to help her out a little...

ETA: actually reading this https://club8090.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=37&t=63808" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; and other advice on here think I'll stick to the Pierburg. No doubt it'll be getting checked over as part of the imminent LPG install anyway.

[CovKid]

You can get a little increase in power with tuned carbs and a suitable exhaust but its a moderate increase and nearly always at the expense of economy and/or your bank balance. VW did these sums a long time ago and arrived at what they built - a general purpose machine in an era when fuel cost less than it does now. Beyond that you have to do some serious engine work and a lot of calculations and based around how you drive and even then there are always drawbacks somewhere. Many years ago I built a type1 engine for a crewcab that I wanted purely for hauling wood and climbing hills. It climbed no problem (would leave the stock 1.9DG standing) but it cost a fortune to build. I experimented with various cams and pushrod lengths to get it right.

The only real way I can see of improving both economy and power now is to fit a more modern engine but with that comes higher maintenance costs and almost certainly more expensive parts. It probably wouldn't last as long either.

I managed to get a mild increase in power without spoiling economy with the Kawasaki backbox mod (see WIKI) but I wouldn't push it beyond that. Once you go past a certain point with modifications, it will drink fuel. Plus you then have to consider insurance and whether you'd be covered following any changes. Believe me, insurance assessors look for that kind of thing - right down to wheels and tyres. If its not on the policy, its void.

[Ian Hulley]

With how you kept up with us on the motorway you have plenty of power in the old girl. If I were you I'd settle for the economy and smoothness the lpg will give you.

Ian

[LeeME3]

Ha ha a rare event...forum advice that has resulted in me doing FEWER mods (my other regular forum is BMW Z4...have to stop myself going on there too much or I end up broke!).

Still, I'm sure the 'van will find plenty of ways to empty my pocket soon enough (that obviously binding front brake springs to mind...!).