1.6 JX engine enhancments

[nordberg]

OK, well I guess the general theme is that of keeping the JX with a few bolt on parts to keep it cool but making sure the engine is not suffering from being out of tune in any way shape of form. I would like to keep the standard engine in it if I am honest but would like to have some confidence that spending £400 for an oil cooler and a similar price for an inter cooler would give me some benefits. When all said and done my van has done over 150k miles in it's 25 years, although I was told it had had an engine replacement in that time but yet to check the extensive reams of pre history in the paperwork I have to back that up. I guess it would be good news to find that its a relatively new unit which would give me a little more confidence that the money spent would be less likely to be in jeopardy of the engine blowing after a short period of time

[Titus A Duxass]

It might be worth checking the valve shims, they often get neglected.
They don't need doing very often but the exhaust valve clearances do change.

There is a good thread on the BY about tuning the JX. - http://www.brick-yard.co.uk/forum/the-d ... 33228.html

[nordberg]

Can you actually buy inter cooler kits for the JX engine or am I going mad?

[Titus A Duxass]

I know that Bernd Jaeger does one and Motorsport Notter does one.

The Notter one will give you 85ps but costs the best part of a 1000 glocken.

[lloydy]

Our JX is running very nicely at the moment and has had quite a bit of money spent on it to get it to that state, so we're not thinking about an upgrade for the foreseeable future. Our next steps are likely to be, as lloydy suggests, an oil cooler and then a charge cooler instead.

Don't know anything about the boost pin and pump mods mentioned so would be interested in finding out more about those if anyone has any links.

Pump mods....
The boost pin is from a rover. If you search Brickwerks for 'rover boost pin' you should find they sell it.
As for the pump itself, this was how it was explained to me... As rpm increases fuel delivery actually falls (in higher Rpms) the pump mod changes/removes the part of the pump that decreases this fuel delivery (regulator I think?) so you end up with lots of fuel delivered at the higher rpm = more power! You would obviously have to increase boost as well. I wouldn't do it without a intercooler to try and control Inlet temps as they will get hot.
Search for someone called regcheeseman, he will do all these mods for you, inc making the boost pin.

[lloydy]

Can you actually buy inter cooler kits for the JX engine or am I going mad?

Speak to mazz of mv engineering, he is selling a intercooler set up for the T3. Designed for the 1.9tdi, but should also fit the jx

[sternal]

...how many hills do you travel up to warrant the cost for not very much noticeable gain ?

*if you live in a hilly area then I take it all back

[nordberg]

...how many hills do you travel up to warrant the cost for not very much noticeable gain ?

*if you live in a hilly area then I take it all back

Well that's really the dilemma. How much do you spend before considering a different engine, but your right, if it's only an issue for 5% of a journey is it worth doing at all? I guess I am just not used to having my wings clipped on the performance side of things.

.
As for the pump itself, this was how it was explained to me... As rpm increases fuel delivery actually falls (in higher Rpms) the pump mod changes/removes the part of the pump that decreases this fuel delivery (regulator I think?) so you end up with lots of fuel delivered at the higher rpm = more power! You would obviously have to increase boost as well. I wouldn't do it without a intercooler to try and control Inlet temps as they will get hot.

Also, on the mod above, wouldn't that be detrimental to the mpg? I don't think these engines are renowned for being particularly amazing on the economy front as it is.

[sternal]

I have the same problem I just live with it...its 30years old weights the best part of 2 tons and I don't go up many hills and if I do then unlucky if you're behind me !

[keith]

if your van is a keeper then its very worthwhile.

It was my intention to drive the jx until it expired and then upgrade....but my theory then changed towards the idea of if I was going to spend the money why not spend it sooner and enjoy the benefits sooner.

it also massively future proofs your van.

[lloydy]

Yes it would effect mpg, esp when you put your foot down. Power isn't free.....
In reality you don't need to do anything, just drive it. If you want to treat it buy an oil cooler. All other stuff is performance related and will cost money and potentially make the engine more unreliable.
If you want power, save for a tdi. It's a different league

[Plasticman]

Can you actually buy inter cooler kits for the JX engine or am I going mad?

lloydy has one and it will work on the jx fine
mm

[lloydy]

Ah yes it works very fine..

[ajsimmo]

Btw the Rover boost pin upgrade is for the AAZ or GTD style pump, ie vertical lda. It is not applicable to the JX pump, which has a horizontally acting lda.

[lagerhead]

Make sure the diaphragm on the LDA wastegate is working - it makes a huge difference going up hills.

WHS

Broken LDA = no increase in fueling on boost. Mine was shot and replacing it made a dramatic change to how it drives.

The JX should be fine on hills; perhaps a bit slow but not painfully so. For example (once mine was sorted) on the drag back from Woolacombe coast to the M5 I had to sneak 4th gear only once and that was due to some Idiot cutting in front of me where there was no gap.