A work in progress.

[Arragonis]

54 US is pretty amazing - congratulations

"Chipping" for power doesn't give more low down grunt from experience, what happens is that the power comes on for a wider power band - basically you get more "top end" than before - they try and make it drive more like a petrol car.

I know what you mean about climbing and accelerating killing the magic though.

Kind of makes you think that the Hybrid idea of a little assistance would be useful just then, but then you think of the weight and complexity.

Is the next target 60 ?

[euromodder]

Originally Posted by Arragonis

"Chipping" for power doesn't give more low down grunt from experience, what happens is that the power comes on for a wider power band - basically you get more "top end" than before - they try and make it drive more like a petrol car.

Both the "eco" and "power" RICA chips give more low end torque - some 40 Nm or 16% extra between 1500-2000 rpm.
Right where I could use some power.

Is the next target 60 ?

Target : Achieving EM hypermiler status.
20% over the (EU) rated MPG of 47 , so I'm shooting for 56.4 MPG .

If this car had an EPA-rating, I'd already be a hypermiler

Originally Posted by Piwoslaw

Below 4.3 l/100km is amazing with all the problems you're having! I'm starting to think that you're drafting

LOL, but no

but 4th doesn't work below its suggested 50km/h.

It does for me when using CC, but only on level ground - or better slightly downhill.

I'm willing to bet that your gearbox is different.

It's an old Ford MTX75. Unlikely you'll find that in your Peugeot 307SW
Lots of people have issues with this gearbox, but it looks like I'm treating mine well.
The lighter weight gear oil I had put in seems to improve smoothness.

Ah, imagine a new gearbox and and an eco-chip, the two tuned to each other in such a way that you get both low end torque and lower fuel consumption below 110km/h. Now there's something to drool over!

Volvo calls it their DRIVe Start/Stop model
Improved engine mapping; longer geared 6 speed manual ; lowered suspension; spare wheel deleted; partial belly pan; 15% gov't rebate; "maintenance free" DPF; ... 3.8L/100km / 62mpg US

It's almost an ecomodder's dreamcar
I hope to get one as a replacement car while my V50 is looked at.


They have a basic C30 going for 17.000 euro after rebates.
It's tempting. I'd expect around 8.000 trade in for my own car.
I could keep the summer and winter 16" wheels as they also fit the C30.

There's some substantial costs coming up in the next 6-12 months, as my V50 will need new front brakes (disks and pads) and the shocks are no longer what they were either (I'd lower it at the same time).
Nearing 100.000 miles, it's about halfway its useful life.
So it's time to decide wether to do all these costs - with remapping, approx. 1500-2000 euro - or replace it.

Originally Posted by jeanne65

What is the gearing in the V50 1.6 Diesel, is it quite long - 6 speed or 5 ?

It's a short 5 speed manual.

Although the weight loss is quite intense the V50 is pretty heavy as standard so the overall gain probably isn't all that much. I've left all that stuff in my Fabia. You could think about taking out the rear seats if you are serious about less weight.

At the moment it's my only car, so it has to look OK
When I get a more fancy car, the V50 will be reduced to a long distance commuter, and I'll go all the way on weight reduction.

Keep an eye on the DPF with short shifting, I have read it can clog up. An occasional 'full beans' blow to clear it out may be worthwhile.

I'm using the driving techniques Volvo suggest in their Drive Challenge, though I've added coasting.
Best participant got 3.24 L/100km or 72.6 mpg out of his loaner C30.

That's 17% better than the not very realistic EU rating, and similar to what I'm getting now.
So I'm pretty confident that he's been using some additional hypermiling techniques beyond what Volvo taught him

[Arragonis]

Originally Posted by euromodder

Both the "eco" and "power" RICA chips give more low end torque - some 40 Nm or 16% extra between 1500-2000 rpm.
Right where I could use some power.

Maybe that chip is worth a go though, it didn't improve things on the remapped Fabia I drove, but the drive I had was brief - the owner wanted to 'demo' it more than lend it.

Originally Posted by euromodder

There's some substantial costs coming up in the next 6-12 months, as my V50 will need new front brakes (disks and pads) and the shocks are no longer what they were either (I'd lower it at the same time).
Nearing 100.000 miles, it's about halfway its useful life.
So it's time to decide wether to do all these costs - with remapping, approx. 1500-2000 euro - or replace it.

The similar thing has led me away from the idea of Mrs A's Octavia. It is slightly under yours in terms of mileage by about 10K maybe but it needs work (front suspension, service, another timing belt, oil pump - they go on the 2.0 apparently) - and its now developed that cold start jerk which could mean the DMF is on its way and which is super spendy.

[Piwoslaw]

Originally Posted by euromodder

Volvo calls it their DRIVe Start/Stop model
Improved engine mapping; longer geared 6 speed manual ; lowered suspension; spare wheel deleted; partial belly pan; 15% gov't rebate; "maintenance free" DPF; ... 3.8L/100km / 62mpg US

It's almost an ecomodder's dreamcar
I hope to get one as a replacement car while my V50 is looked at.

I thought that the DRIVe transmission was 5 speed, the difference being longer 3rd and 4th gears. I even looked through the window of an S40 DRIVe this morning and it had a 5sp. Maybe there are 6sp boxes for different models?

[euromodder]

Originally Posted by Piwoslaw

I thought that the DRIVe transmission was 5 speed, the difference being longer 3rd and 4th gears. I even looked through the window of an S40 DRIVe this morning and it had a 5sp. Maybe there are 6sp boxes for different models?

The new models have a 6 speed gearbox - and an improved engine rated to EU5 standard (*).
It's a rework of the previous 1560 cc, with 8 valves instead of 16.
Slightly higher torque and power output (+6 HP)

Peugeot had similar changes, but only added 2HP.


(*) Which is a bit silly as the 2005 models with DPF already complied with EU5, but were only rated EU4. The later Drive models consumed less fuel for tax reasons, but no longer complied with EU5 !

[Piwoslaw]

Originally Posted by euromodder

The new models have a 6 speed gearbox - and an improved engine rated to EU5 standard (*).
It's a rework of the previous 1560 cc, with 8 valves instead of 16.
Slightly higher torque and power output (+6 HP)

Peugeot had similar changes, but only added 2HP.

I've noticed that newer versions of certain engines have gone back to 2 valves per cylinder, but I couldn't guess why

[California98Civic]

Originally Posted by euromodder

Volvo calls it their DRIVe Start/Stop model
Improved engine mapping; longer geared 6 speed manual ; lowered suspension; spare wheel deleted; partial belly pan; 15% gov't rebate; "maintenance free" DPF; ... 3.8L/100km / 62mpg US

It's almost an ecomodder's dreamcar

Wow! Hey, do you know off-hand how much they lowered the suspension and what the clearance is now?

[euromodder]

Originally Posted by California98Civic

Wow! Hey, do you know off-hand how much they lowered the suspension and what the clearance is now?

Only 10mm , but I don't know the clearance.

[320touring]

Originally Posted by Piwoslaw

I've noticed that newer versions of certain engines have gone back to 2 valves per cylinder, but I couldn't guess why

2v per cyl gives more torque at low rpm's whereas multi valves give better torque at higher rpm..

I imagine with cars being heavier today, and cars being used in situations where higher speed is not important (rush hour traffic), then torque is what you're after.

More bangs per buck per unit of fuel to move a heavy car..

does that make sense?

I have to state this is purely only my theory!

[euromodder]

Originally Posted by 320touring

2v per cyl gives more torque at low rpm's whereas multi valves give better torque at higher rpm..

I imagine with cars being heavier today, and cars being used in situations where higher speed is not important (rush hour traffic), then torque is what you're after.

It's also important when you want the car to be able to pull off the more economical short-shifting and low rpm driving.

The Volvo 1.6L D2 engine actually makes the C30/S40/V50 models 5km/h - 3mph faster than with the 16v engine.