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)

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

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.

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

i fitted a set of ratio rockers and what differance goes hard fron start and its auto was a slug before

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 onem].....hope this helps answer the q's cheers steve

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).

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.

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?

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

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

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.

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

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 ]

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.

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?

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.

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?

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.

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....

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.

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

i'm undecided until that time vdubya

Matt, are u using bait?
Jak

Please explain?