VW/skoda 1.4 16V engine - chipped back?

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Tue 15 Oct 2002 22:44
VW/skoda 1.4 16V engine - chipped back? - Big John

I run a skoda Octavia 1.4 16V (75bhp - engine also fitted to Polos, Golfs, Leons etc.. ) purchased to perform a high mileage
commute cheaply, safely and quietly (I thought the diesel was very noisy when at crawling pace in traffic). It was not purchased for performance.

The car has been superb with no problems at all , fuel economy is
superb usually 45mpg + . Only once has it ever dipped below 40 mpg and that was when I explored the pyrenees and it still averaged 38.

Performace has been the suprise, for its engine size it has amazing mid range tourqe, especially around 3000 rpm making motorway travel suprisingly easy as 70 mph puts you in its peak tourqe band figure. Overtaking? hills? - no problem!

The problem is that if you extend the engine beyond 4500 rpm you are wasting your time, indeed the rev cut off is a lowly 5700rpm
has the engine been deliberately chipped back to avoid the lowly
1.4 embarrasing the larger engines or has it got a different cam profile to maximise tourque???

(PS would I still get this fuel economy if I converted to gas?)


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Wed 16 Oct 2002 10:21
VW/skoda 1.4 16V engine - chipped back? - blank
(PS would I still get this fuel economy if I converted
to gas?)
Highly unlikey, probably 10-20% down. Even those who carry out the conversions admit this. There are up-sides too such as cleaner oil and smoother running. You also have a big tank in the boot or no spare wheel and a small gas tank. The final problem which put me off for good is that you're not allowed on the channel tunnel.


hth
Andy
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Wed 16 Oct 2002 11:15
VW/skoda 1.4 16V engine - chipped back? - TrevorP
"the rev cut off is a lowly 5700rpm"

Do you mean peak power, red line or rev limiter?

I would guess the peak power of the 16v engine is 5.7, with a red line of 6.2 and rev limiter set at about 6.5

16v engines are not normally noted for their torque,
indeed the current VW 16v has peak torque at 4000.

So, for decent acceleration, it need to be kept between 4 and 6.

What your are decribing sounds more like the 8v.

Neither "the engine been deliberately chipped back"
OR "a different cam profile to maximise tourque"

are at all likely.

When you say "amazing mid range tourqe",

what are you comparing it with?

Now the modern VW turbo diesels (PD)
DO have "amazing mid range tourqe"



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Wed 16 Oct 2002 12:15
VW/skoda 1.4 16V engine - chipped back? - Big John
No I really mean 5700 is the rev limiter/red line - it cuts out beyond that!

The Octavia 1.4 75 bhp has its peak tourque listed at 3200. The 16V engine that has peak tourque at 4000 is the 100 bhp version of the same 16V engine.

Yes it is a 16V!

When I said amazing tourque I meant the its mid range pull is much better than the badge on the boot suggests it should be.



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Wed 16 Oct 2002 14:57
VW/skoda 1.4 16V engine - chipped back? - TrevorP
Good - a satisfied customer!
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