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Is my T3 normal?

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crewcabconnection Being Sid James

1,922 posts · joined Apr 2003 ·

#409282
got a 90 T3. With a bunch of people in it and usual prams and junk it takes off like a slug when the air's running. (It's an auto). Is this normal. Had it serviced, etc., so nothing 'wrong' with it, just wondered if this 'normal'. It does pick up, so it's not foot down, then it dies, then picks up, it just picks up slow from a standing start with the air on and 4/5 people in it......

(paranoid...Penriff)
Loves a lolcat

Kombi_Rescue Wolfsburg Wizard

440 posts · joined Feb 2005 ·

#409565
CCC welcome to the world of a T3 auto,as per the descripition the slow takeup is on par ...although my interpredation may differ from what is actually taking place,does the fuel pump become audiable[buzz] after some time running? do you notice better preformance when the engine is cold? how different is preformance with the air switched off?does it get full throttle ? by answering some of these questions I may be able to help diagnose your concerns...cheers steve

syncro Seriously Crusin Dubber

103 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#410366
has it had an O2 sensor in the last few years? replaced mine recently ( '89 Syncro ) it made a huge difference, smoothed out an anoying off idle flat spot + general driving and improved fuel economy in a major way! BTW O2 sensors, bosch, can be had for fairly a resonable price these days.

crewcabconnection Being Sid James

1,922 posts · joined Apr 2003 ·

#410386
rhddlxbd wrote:CCC welcome to the world of a T3 auto,as per the descripition the slow takeup is on par ...although my interpredation may differ from what is actually taking place,does the fuel pump become audiable[buzz] after some time running? do you notice better preformance when the engine is cold? how different is preformance with the air switched off?does it get full throttle ? by answering some of these questions I may be able to help diagnose your concerns...cheers steve
no buzzing...runs smooth as. Same performance, maybe very slightly noticeable when colder. Yeah, when Air is off, defo has more power to pick up from dead stop. Hunts a bit when started from cold with the air on at idle. Just had it serviced, and no nasties found....

It's not tragic, not like it's trying to die on me....but as I've not experienced another T3, got no reference point I guess.

O2 sensor....is that a specialist job?
Loves a lolcat

syncro Seriously Crusin Dubber

103 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#410406
the O2 sensor is in the exhaust just near the cat pretty easy to replace should only take 5 mins. Bursons hear in Melb has them for around $110. I think.

Another sensors that can cause bad running is the temp 2 sensor, that tells the engine management how warm the engine is, its also a relatively cheap part and easy to replace.

Also check the throtle switch.

Checkout http://www.vanagon.com/ for more links and info

greedy51 Wolfsburg Wizard

668 posts · joined Sep 2002 ·

#410640
i fitted a set of ratio rockers and what differance goes hard fron start and its auto was a slug before
Pimp my Hide

Kombi_Rescue Wolfsburg Wizard

440 posts · joined Feb 2005 ·

#410647
i agree with syncros tips ..these are much overlooked ..simple to change......another tip is a possible injector service sometime in the future..be sure its a off the car service though......autos are sluggish with 'air on' always have been from new...can't expect 95hp to push 1470kgs too quick off the mark!!!!!have the timing checked also.....although they are pretty much set from the factory we have found many air cond fitters remove the disy when fitting the 10kg air con braket and don't fit the disy back to its original postion...hence they are a bit retarded[like me working on em].....hope this helps answer the q's cheers steve

crewcabconnection Being Sid James

1,922 posts · joined Apr 2003 ·

#410694
thanks fellas, will investigate. the motor is great, so figured it's just the lack of hp. Not that I care that much around the 'burbs, it's so smooth, quiet...need to get out and check the badge....just when fuel hits the 140 ay.....oh well, screw it.

Hey Steve, what did ya do with Andy?....does he/you have split door frame rubber kits???? (off topic, but who cares).
Loves a lolcat

crewcabconnection Being Sid James

1,922 posts · joined Apr 2003 ·

#410695
greedy51 wrote:i fitted a set of ratio rockers and what differance goes hard fron start and its auto was a slug before
again in non-t3 expert lingo plz?
Loves a lolcat

VDubya Seriously Crusin Dubber

103 posts · joined Sep 2005 ·

#410864
Mine used to be a slug now it tears the road to pieces. Smooth and reliable and heaps more power. An extra two cylinders usually has that effect. When I work out how to do it I will put some photos up.

joseph Casual Dubber

38 posts · joined May 2005 ·

#411381
Yeah, I'd like to know what "ratio rockers" are, too!

Years ago, I remember reading about Gene Berg rockers and re-chip for these motors. Articles in the mags said they increased performance and reduced fuel consumption, but never found someone who had actually done the conversion to get the real news. Anyone know?

pod i`ve got to finish this thing one day

4,980 posts · joined Dec 2003 ·

#411487
Murray from Flat four has the performance chip in his dcab ute ,steve (greedy51) also from flat four has the ratio rockers which help in your valve timing(guessing) so these are the guys to talk to
meetings 1st sunday of the month
check wbsite for location
All Welcome
http://www.flatfour.org/
and on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/FlatFour

Southern Van Officially Full-On Dubber

243 posts · joined Apr 2004 ·

#411499
Bashed out the inners of the catalytic converter (it was starting to rattle) and use shell optimax.Goes heaps better.

Menangler Custom Title Time!

1,991 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#412232
Ratio rockers open the valve further, stock rockers are 1.1 to 1 ratio, so say if the cam moves the pushrod 10mm the rocker moves 11mm, with a set of 1.4 to 1 ratio rockers cam moves the same 10mm but valve moves 14mm.
These measurements are just an example of cause.

I am just about to fit a set of Scat 1.4's to my twin cab, and Boris from VVDS is rechipping the computer, I will let you know how it goes.
FAHRVERGNUGEN;
Description of a pleasurable sensation,
Experienced when a car and it's driver are in mutual harmony, A unique driving experience, Pleasure, Satisfaction,
A feeling experienced by Volkswagen Drivers.

VDubya Seriously Crusin Dubber

103 posts · joined Sep 2005 ·

#412235
I sent mine to the shop as a slug. Came back a road terror.

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joseph Casual Dubber

38 posts · joined May 2005 ·

#412302
Menangler wrote:I am just about to fit a set of Scat 1.4's to my twin cab, and Boris from VVDS is rechipping the computer, I will let you know how it goes.
Without meaning to be rude, I'd be interested to know how much the rockers and re-chip cost.
From what I remember, the rockers result in richer fuel flow and the re-chip should restore things (increased power from rockers; reduced fuel from re-chip). Am I correct?

spritle Learner Dubber

12 posts · joined Apr 2003 ·

#419982
My dad's got a T3 Caravelle with the ratio rockers, lightened pushrods but no chip. It cost us around $4K a few years back, but that included new headers.

It runs cooler, loses a bit of bottom end torque but goes a heap better on the top end. Goes a bit better on PULP too.

Don't know about fuel consumption. As its dad's daily driver and he's got it running LPG as well.

[ Edited on 21-10-2005 by spritle ]

Menangler Custom Title Time!

1,991 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#420348
Fitted the Scat rockers today and light chrome moly push rods, still has the stock computer, and runs fine, I wouldn't say it runs heaps better, but does rev better and has better top end, down low seems the same.
I still have the stock muffler and cat on it, I will change these to a better flowing system when they rust out!
All up cost so far is $450.00 ish for the rockers and pushrods.
FAHRVERGNUGEN;
Description of a pleasurable sensation,
Experienced when a car and it's driver are in mutual harmony, A unique driving experience, Pleasure, Satisfaction,
A feeling experienced by Volkswagen Drivers.

joseph Casual Dubber

38 posts · joined May 2005 ·

#420379
Thanks for that information, Spritle & Menangler.:thumb
I guess the better breathing is what improves the top end performance. $450 is a relatively cheap performance upgrade - I will be interested to hear how happy you are with the investment when you've had the chance to do a bit of driving with it.

Curious also about the advantage of lightened push-rods - what is it supposed to do? is it less inertia? smoother performance?

spritle Learner Dubber

12 posts · joined Apr 2003 ·

#420992
Correction:

I managed to dig up the original invoice from Vintage VW

- we did get the chip :P along with the pushrods, rockers, new plugs, rotor and leads. And a clutch kit... and the headers...

was wondering why it cost so much :o


hehee... well, it runs heaps better than stock :p

We've got a stainless muffler (stock mild steel one went ages ago) but that didn't make much of a difference.


Not sure what usage you have for your T3, but sometimes we use ours to tow our boat (around 1400kgs) and the loss of a bit of bottom end torque is only noticable when doing hill starts, but then ours is a manual, and your auto's torque converter may mask the lack of torque.

joseph Casual Dubber

38 posts · joined May 2005 ·

#421406
Thank you! This is most informative. :thumb

Suspect the auto transmission is the biggest negative as far as performance and fuel ecomomy goes.
Out of interest, do you keep a track of fuel use? If you do, what has been the usage over the last couple of months - l/100k or mpg?

Southern Van Officially Full-On Dubber

243 posts · joined Apr 2004 ·

#421411
Just did a trip out west to carnarvon gorge. Fuel varied from 11.48 litres per hundred up to 15.08 L/ph.Van was loaded up and most of the time sitting on 110kph.Head winds and mountains make for the differance.Average for the 1750k trip was 13.53 L/ph. I have had it as good as 9 L/ph sitting on 95kph These figures are spot on with what to expect in the hand book that came with the van when new.

crewcabconnection Being Sid James

1,922 posts · joined Apr 2003 ·

#421436
mmm, guess we'll live with it until at some point I chuck some money and go Subaru power. Anyone wanna swap my 72 Deluxe Micro for a Sube conversion on my T3. Christ, thats an aweful way to look at the Microbus aint it. The T3 motor is sound though, so might go with the Becker option for now....have to talk to the Chief....cheers everyone....
Loves a lolcat

VDubya Seriously Crusin Dubber

103 posts · joined Sep 2005 ·

#421450
The scooby doo is the do! Forget the 22s that people keep touting. Old hat and tired. Same work a little more thought and get the 6 pack.

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I was going to join the Democrats to keep the bastards honest, but joined the forum instead.

boof2332 Custom Title Time!

1,210 posts · joined May 2004 ·

#422903
I'm sure have seen that pic in an overseas magazine a few years ago, sure you havnt been scanning other peoples pics again!

VDubya Seriously Crusin Dubber

103 posts · joined Sep 2005 ·

#423195
boof2332 wrote:I'm sure have seen that pic in an overseas magazine a few years ago, sure you havnt been scanning other peoples pics again!
You only discredit yourself when you lie.

I can't wait until tomorrow when I post more pics and show everyone what a fool you are.
I was going to join the Democrats to keep the bastards honest, but joined the forum instead.

ColumBUS Hail To The Bus Driver!

3,601 posts · joined Sep 2004 ·

#423208
i'm undecided until that time vdubya

VDubya Seriously Crusin Dubber

103 posts · joined Sep 2005 ·

#423223
Kroozin_Kikko wrote:i'm undecided until that time vdubya
Do I care?
I was going to join the Democrats to keep the bastards honest, but joined the forum instead.

Jak Rizzo Insano Dub Head

837 posts · joined Apr 2004 ·

#423259
Matt, are u using bait?
Jak