Xr4i tune up /power up/restore bhp? Help!
16-12-2012, 10:29 PM
#1
Too many posts.. I need a life!!
Thread Starter
Xr4i tune up /power up/restore bhp? Help!
Hi all
Im new here and this is my 1st thread so any help would be gratefully recieved!
Just bought a XR4i 2.8 RWD B-Reg
The body work is in brilliand condition no rust dents etc
But im thinking the engine needs a little TLC
Its completley standard car apart from being lowered a little and being poly bushed
I know these cars wasnt the fasted things on the road but having bags of tourque from owning a couple many many years back
But this one seem svery sluggish making more noise than miles?
Obviously im going to start with a service but would like to know what else is best for the old girl next?
Be it tune up? Chip? Remapping of ecu?
I dont want to go crazy on the old girl just want to restore bit of the old bite she should have?
Im down in kent
Any info or suguestions will be grate fully recieved
Many thanks guys
THE DOG!
Im new here and this is my 1st thread so any help would be gratefully recieved!
Just bought a XR4i 2.8 RWD B-Reg
The body work is in brilliand condition no rust dents etc
But im thinking the engine needs a little TLC
Its completley standard car apart from being lowered a little and being poly bushed
I know these cars wasnt the fasted things on the road but having bags of tourque from owning a couple many many years back
But this one seem svery sluggish making more noise than miles?
Obviously im going to start with a service but would like to know what else is best for the old girl next?
Be it tune up? Chip? Remapping of ecu?
I dont want to go crazy on the old girl just want to restore bit of the old bite she should have?
Im down in kent
Any info or suguestions will be grate fully recieved
Many thanks guys
THE DOG!
17-12-2012, 04:22 AM
#3
Too many posts.. I need a life!!
Thread Starter
Not yet mate! Just making a list of things to service eg: air/fuel/oil filters, spark plugs n leads, fan belts, oil change, adjust tappets slightly, check water n brake fluid etc
And apart from new brake disc's and pads think that's as far as I've got!
And apart from new brake disc's and pads think that's as far as I've got!
17-12-2012, 06:59 AM
#7
a standard 2.8 can be a pretty quick car, depends what you want. 24v is the best option but if you want to keep it standard 170bhp is reasonably acheivable without throwing loads of cash at it. kn air filter, high flow exhaust possibly a cam are the places to start.
ive got a standard 4i that is pretty good, bear in mind its only done 37k so the engine is pretty new. dont bother paying for expensive tune ups find someone that can set it up by ear. it took me a few hours doing this and the car is much better.my co is quite high at idle but clears up when under load. pulls like a train on the road.
the cams wear on these engines as i have found to my cost so if its got 100k+ miles on it look into a new one and have the valves and heads cleaned up while they are off. if its been set up wrong the valves clog up with carbon quickly.
i prefer the 2.8 to the 2.9 i feel it pulls better at low rpm but doesnt do alot over 4500rpm. as a tourer the xr4 is great. it will never be a cossie though.
ive got a standard 4i that is pretty good, bear in mind its only done 37k so the engine is pretty new. dont bother paying for expensive tune ups find someone that can set it up by ear. it took me a few hours doing this and the car is much better.my co is quite high at idle but clears up when under load. pulls like a train on the road.
the cams wear on these engines as i have found to my cost so if its got 100k+ miles on it look into a new one and have the valves and heads cleaned up while they are off. if its been set up wrong the valves clog up with carbon quickly.
i prefer the 2.8 to the 2.9 i feel it pulls better at low rpm but doesnt do alot over 4500rpm. as a tourer the xr4 is great. it will never be a cossie though.
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17-12-2012, 08:00 AM
#8
PassionFord Post Troll
I had one of these - a black B-reg - unless I've forgotten, mine worked on Bosch K-jetronic which doesn't have an ECU.
It relies on the fuel pump providing a pressure and then the injectors are told to open by a rotating arrangement which opens the injectors (rather than an electrical signal ) . Unless you have sufficient fuel pressure the injectors won't spray properly. I had mine tested on a rig and ( can't remember if this is true or not but the guy said if they are too far gone in terms of being gunged up, ultrasonic cleaning won't help ) ended up having to replace 2 to get a good match in terms of spray pattern/leakage.
If the injectors dribble when shut you can lose all residual fuel pressure in the system which mans it won't fire up on all 6 immediately when you restart the car.
I also replaced the one way valve in the fuel line ( only about Ł10 from a Bosch agent ) which maintains the fuel pressure from the pump. Unless you have good fuel pressure constantly you will have cold start problems or problems when you leave the car for a while and come to restart.
A guy called Mick Mobberley from Hi-tech in Dudley set up the flap in the injection system which made the car idle and run much better. Basically it is quite a simple injection system but if it has been fiddled with in the past it can take a little tweaking to get it set up right.
I also adjusted the tappets and put the Janspeed manifolds and system on it - the Janspeeds made a great improvement to the sound so I'd recommend them - I think they gave a 4 or 5bhp improvement as well as Janspeed did actually do quite a bit of work on the siamesed Cologne heads to see what worked. Forced induction, both turbo and supercharging both seem to work quite well on the engine. Janspeed and Turbo Technics did turbo kits and Sprintex/Power Engineering did a supercharger ( FTD ) kit. Power Engineering also did the Ultimax 3.7 litre conversions. In power terms, if you want it to be really fast I'd say you have to go for forced induction or a different engine. The old 'Performance Car' mag ran one as a project car back in 84 ( just after it was renamed from Hot Car ). They fitted the Arizona ( 3-port ) heads, did some exhaust and other work and got up to about 181bhp. More teliing was the fact they timed the car round a test track. All the engine mods took about 2 or 3 seconds off the lap time ....but a few suspension mods ( much cheaper and quicker ) took another 4 or 5 seconds off.
To start with I'd check all the fuel system/injection out, then check compression/valve clearances, put in new plugs and filters and see where you are then.
Mine felt a bit sluggish at first and was only doing about 135bhp. By the time I'd got it all sorted, it was about 163bhp on the same RR. Not a massive amount of improvement but it truly felt a different car. Standard they should do mid 7s to 60 and about 21/22 seconds to a 100 with a 130 top end ( as per the original road tests )
If it's a fun car to enjoy, I'd recommend a XR4x4 rear end which will give you a VLSD rear diff and discs as well
It relies on the fuel pump providing a pressure and then the injectors are told to open by a rotating arrangement which opens the injectors (rather than an electrical signal ) . Unless you have sufficient fuel pressure the injectors won't spray properly. I had mine tested on a rig and ( can't remember if this is true or not but the guy said if they are too far gone in terms of being gunged up, ultrasonic cleaning won't help ) ended up having to replace 2 to get a good match in terms of spray pattern/leakage.
If the injectors dribble when shut you can lose all residual fuel pressure in the system which mans it won't fire up on all 6 immediately when you restart the car.
I also replaced the one way valve in the fuel line ( only about Ł10 from a Bosch agent ) which maintains the fuel pressure from the pump. Unless you have good fuel pressure constantly you will have cold start problems or problems when you leave the car for a while and come to restart.
A guy called Mick Mobberley from Hi-tech in Dudley set up the flap in the injection system which made the car idle and run much better. Basically it is quite a simple injection system but if it has been fiddled with in the past it can take a little tweaking to get it set up right.
I also adjusted the tappets and put the Janspeed manifolds and system on it - the Janspeeds made a great improvement to the sound so I'd recommend them - I think they gave a 4 or 5bhp improvement as well as Janspeed did actually do quite a bit of work on the siamesed Cologne heads to see what worked. Forced induction, both turbo and supercharging both seem to work quite well on the engine. Janspeed and Turbo Technics did turbo kits and Sprintex/Power Engineering did a supercharger ( FTD ) kit. Power Engineering also did the Ultimax 3.7 litre conversions. In power terms, if you want it to be really fast I'd say you have to go for forced induction or a different engine. The old 'Performance Car' mag ran one as a project car back in 84 ( just after it was renamed from Hot Car ). They fitted the Arizona ( 3-port ) heads, did some exhaust and other work and got up to about 181bhp. More teliing was the fact they timed the car round a test track. All the engine mods took about 2 or 3 seconds off the lap time ....but a few suspension mods ( much cheaper and quicker ) took another 4 or 5 seconds off.
To start with I'd check all the fuel system/injection out, then check compression/valve clearances, put in new plugs and filters and see where you are then.
Mine felt a bit sluggish at first and was only doing about 135bhp. By the time I'd got it all sorted, it was about 163bhp on the same RR. Not a massive amount of improvement but it truly felt a different car. Standard they should do mid 7s to 60 and about 21/22 seconds to a 100 with a 130 top end ( as per the original road tests )
If it's a fun car to enjoy, I'd recommend a XR4x4 rear end which will give you a VLSD rear diff and discs as well
Last edited by Mike1; 17-12-2012 at 08:16 AM. Reason: Add more info
17-12-2012, 10:02 AM
#9
Too many posts.. I need a life!!
Thread Starter
Thanks guys
Mine has only covered 81,000
Il start with the service and see how it goes!
Il keep this up dated
Cheers again
I'm in Herne Bay Area
Havent worked out how to up load pix to thead yet any help?
I got pic of my baby on my profile!
Cheers again guys
Oh and without sounding too thick what's "Boa"
Cheers
Mine has only covered 81,000
Il start with the service and see how it goes!
Il keep this up dated
Cheers again
I'm in Herne Bay Area
Havent worked out how to up load pix to thead yet any help?
I got pic of my baby on my profile!
Cheers again guys
Oh and without sounding too thick what's "Boa"
Cheers
17-12-2012, 09:50 PM
#19
I had one of these - a black B-reg - unless I've forgotten, mine worked on Bosch K-jetronic which doesn't have an ECU.
It relies on the fuel pump providing a pressure and then the injectors are told to open by a rotating arrangement which opens the injectors (rather than an electrical signal ) . Unless you have sufficient fuel pressure the injectors won't spray properly. I had mine tested on a rig and ( can't remember if this is true or not but the guy said if they are too far gone in terms of being gunged up, ultrasonic cleaning won't help ) ended up having to replace 2 to get a good match in terms of spray pattern/leakage.
If the injectors dribble when shut you can lose all residual fuel pressure in the system which mans it won't fire up on all 6 immediately when you restart the car.
I also replaced the one way valve in the fuel line ( only about Ł10 from a Bosch agent ) which maintains the fuel pressure from the pump. Unless you have good fuel pressure constantly you will have cold start problems or problems when you leave the car for a while and come to restart.
A guy called Mick Mobberley from Hi-tech in Dudley set up the flap in the injection system which made the car idle and run much better. Basically it is quite a simple injection system but if it has been fiddled with in the past it can take a little tweaking to get it set up right.
I also adjusted the tappets and put the Janspeed manifolds and system on it - the Janspeeds made a great improvement to the sound so I'd recommend them - I think they gave a 4 or 5bhp improvement as well as Janspeed did actually do quite a bit of work on the siamesed Cologne heads to see what worked. Forced induction, both turbo and supercharging both seem to work quite well on the engine. Janspeed and Turbo Technics did turbo kits and Sprintex/Power Engineering did a supercharger ( FTD ) kit. Power Engineering also did the Ultimax 3.7 litre conversions. In power terms, if you want it to be really fast I'd say you have to go for forced induction or a different engine. The old 'Performance Car' mag ran one as a project car back in 84 ( just after it was renamed from Hot Car ). They fitted the Arizona ( 3-port ) heads, did some exhaust and other work and got up to about 181bhp. More teliing was the fact they timed the car round a test track. All the engine mods took about 2 or 3 seconds off the lap time ....but a few suspension mods ( much cheaper and quicker ) took another 4 or 5 seconds off.
To start with I'd check all the fuel system/injection out, then check compression/valve clearances, put in new plugs and filters and see where you are then.
Mine felt a bit sluggish at first and was only doing about 135bhp. By the time I'd got it all sorted, it was about 163bhp on the same RR. Not a massive amount of improvement but it truly felt a different car. Standard they should do mid 7s to 60 and about 21/22 seconds to a 100 with a 130 top end ( as per the original road tests )
If it's a fun car to enjoy, I'd recommend a XR4x4 rear end which will give you a VLSD rear diff and discs as well
It relies on the fuel pump providing a pressure and then the injectors are told to open by a rotating arrangement which opens the injectors (rather than an electrical signal ) . Unless you have sufficient fuel pressure the injectors won't spray properly. I had mine tested on a rig and ( can't remember if this is true or not but the guy said if they are too far gone in terms of being gunged up, ultrasonic cleaning won't help ) ended up having to replace 2 to get a good match in terms of spray pattern/leakage.
If the injectors dribble when shut you can lose all residual fuel pressure in the system which mans it won't fire up on all 6 immediately when you restart the car.
I also replaced the one way valve in the fuel line ( only about Ł10 from a Bosch agent ) which maintains the fuel pressure from the pump. Unless you have good fuel pressure constantly you will have cold start problems or problems when you leave the car for a while and come to restart.
A guy called Mick Mobberley from Hi-tech in Dudley set up the flap in the injection system which made the car idle and run much better. Basically it is quite a simple injection system but if it has been fiddled with in the past it can take a little tweaking to get it set up right.
I also adjusted the tappets and put the Janspeed manifolds and system on it - the Janspeeds made a great improvement to the sound so I'd recommend them - I think they gave a 4 or 5bhp improvement as well as Janspeed did actually do quite a bit of work on the siamesed Cologne heads to see what worked. Forced induction, both turbo and supercharging both seem to work quite well on the engine. Janspeed and Turbo Technics did turbo kits and Sprintex/Power Engineering did a supercharger ( FTD ) kit. Power Engineering also did the Ultimax 3.7 litre conversions. In power terms, if you want it to be really fast I'd say you have to go for forced induction or a different engine. The old 'Performance Car' mag ran one as a project car back in 84 ( just after it was renamed from Hot Car ). They fitted the Arizona ( 3-port ) heads, did some exhaust and other work and got up to about 181bhp. More teliing was the fact they timed the car round a test track. All the engine mods took about 2 or 3 seconds off the lap time ....but a few suspension mods ( much cheaper and quicker ) took another 4 or 5 seconds off.
To start with I'd check all the fuel system/injection out, then check compression/valve clearances, put in new plugs and filters and see where you are then.
Mine felt a bit sluggish at first and was only doing about 135bhp. By the time I'd got it all sorted, it was about 163bhp on the same RR. Not a massive amount of improvement but it truly felt a different car. Standard they should do mid 7s to 60 and about 21/22 seconds to a 100 with a 130 top end ( as per the original road tests )
If it's a fun car to enjoy, I'd recommend a XR4x4 rear end which will give you a VLSD rear diff and discs as well
The trouble is it's actually quite hard to find someone competent to actually tune such a setup, as most are only conversant with EFI!
I would get it tuned first and then go from there.
Martin
17-12-2012, 10:22 PM
#20
big floppy donkey dick
Join Date: May 2003
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tuning MFi is so so so easy, dont be scared of it,
good results and drivability will be had from a good tweek and setup of the metering unit and fuel pressure
a monkey with a small stick and fuel pressure gauge could do it
good results and drivability will be had from a good tweek and setup of the metering unit and fuel pressure
a monkey with a small stick and fuel pressure gauge could do it
18-12-2012, 08:24 AM
#21
PassionFord Post Troll
The MFi is quite simple but as I didn't know what I was doing with it I got someone who did to set it up! The main impression I got from Mick is that a lot of the problems people had with it were down to the system losing fuel pressure. I think someone had fiddled with the metering plate on mine before I got it to try and cure the starting issues ( it always started but sometimes only on 4 or 5 down to poor residual fuel pressure )
One thing I remember about having the Janspeed manifolds was that they would only mate up to a Janspeed system i.e. unless you make up a custom piece other systems won't fit without some work as the manifolds have longer exits than standard. Not sure if that's still the case but worth asking if you do get some.
I also found the standard brakes a bit lacking ( think they are basically the same as S2 Escort RS Turbo ). I got a set of Wilwoods and 300mm discs for the front which were more than ample for the 160ish bhp but there's plenty of options there.
I really enjoyed mine - had a nice burble with the Janspeeds.
Last edited by Mike1; 18-12-2012 at 08:58 AM.
18-12-2012, 09:24 AM
#22
Too many posts.. I need a life!!
20-12-2012, 09:28 PM
#24
Too many posts.. I need a life!!
Thread Starter
Cheers again guys!
Alas I have to wait till after Xmas to get anything sorted!
Something to do with the kids needing presents???
Selfish lil buggers!
I'm going to start with the good service see how that goes if still missing some thing il hunt down someone to look at my set up! Etc!
How do you post pix on threads?
Feel like I need to show mine off the the other H/Bay area guy
Hello Steve & Ben btw nice one for the comments!
Truly appreciated
Alas I have to wait till after Xmas to get anything sorted!
Something to do with the kids needing presents???
Selfish lil buggers!
I'm going to start with the good service see how that goes if still missing some thing il hunt down someone to look at my set up! Etc!
How do you post pix on threads?
Feel like I need to show mine off the the other H/Bay area guy
Hello Steve & Ben btw nice one for the comments!
Truly appreciated
20-12-2012, 09:31 PM
#26
Too many posts.. I need a life!!
Thread Starter
Pp.s what size wheels on yours Steve?
I don't really like the cossie lattice ones on mine,
Never have really preffer multispoke or 5-6 spoke wheels really
And also in white if that don't make me sound too tarty lol
I don't really like the cossie lattice ones on mine,
Never have really preffer multispoke or 5-6 spoke wheels really
And also in white if that don't make me sound too tarty lol
21-12-2012, 10:49 AM
#28
Too many posts.. I need a life!!
If you open a photobucket account, it doesn't cost anything to open.
Upload picture from computer to photobucket using the upload icon on photobucket, then once uploaded click on the picture then on the right hand side of the screen there be a image code, copy that then paste that into a reply on here
Upload picture from computer to photobucket using the upload icon on photobucket, then once uploaded click on the picture then on the right hand side of the screen there be a image code, copy that then paste that into a reply on here
27-12-2012, 07:20 AM
#39
http://www.lepsons.com/
Car looks nice mate. Looking forward to the nicer weather so can get mine out and go for drive down Herne bay
Car looks nice mate. Looking forward to the nicer weather so can get mine out and go for drive down Herne bay
Steve