Getting the most out of the FR TDi PD170 engines ?

[FR_Flavoured]

Any feedback on driving styles / getting the most out of the TDi PD170 lump (07 / pre facelift)?

I find when accelerating, ie: pulling out at traffic lights / roundabout / or even overtaking - there is a definate LAG between putting your foot down and the point at which the Turbo does kick in. Almost catches me out sometimes (getting bogged down!).

Perhaps driving at higher Revs helps, so the Turbo comes in sooner.
Like any car, understanding the power delivery takes time and becomes more familiar, the longer you drive a car.

Not a thread on racing or improving 0-60 times, more feedback from fellow PD170 owners on characteristics of the TDi FR's and how you 'ride' yours.

 

[paulfs]

hallo FR,

Yep definite turbo lag but that's turbo diesels for you.

I must admit that when my first Injector was replaced I hammered it, was that hacked off over it I wanted to break it!!! But she went like hell when I knew I was going to overtake or come up to a quick roundabout etc I'd drop it down a notch or two & keep the revs hi, well, over 3000 (it is a diesel after all) at least & she always responded with that lump of power, albeit for a short period of time.
The downside was about 37mpg

Have relaxed a lot now, all Injectors replaced & she's running sweet, only had it back a week so not given her stick yet, getting 47+mpg at the moment (52.3mpg has been the best so far). Can't explain it, but she doesn't feel as quick, but not really pushed her yet, smooth tho Tending to sit at 2250 - 2500rpm on A34, keeping in 6 & no cruise control. When on the country roads, try to keep to between 1500 - 2000rpm in as hi as gear as poss, but not loading the gear, change down if needed. This appears to give me the 47+mpg comfortably & quietly feeling my age obviously, that or the fuel prices are biting

 

[Nath.]

All you need to do is use the rev counter correctly. The power comes in at about 1800-2000revs and tails off at about 4000revs.

 

[nicklaus27]

All you need to do is use the rev counter correctly. The power comes in at about 1800-2000revs and tails off at about 4000revs.

damn you beat me to it! was just about to be my comment

get a map....then you'll notice a power improvement all through the rev range!

 

[FR_Flavoured]

Hi guys thankyou for all your feedback....

paulfs - Sorry to hear about your experiences. Quite a setback plus the inconvenience! Yet positive news SEAT fixed it all for you, and you are beginning to enjoy the car again.

Nath - Cheers also.
I do watch the counter while changing up... (more though approaching the red line)...
But will pay more attention to that 'sweet spot' you mention.

Nick - don't I just know it! With talk of remaps all over the Mk2 forum, mine is seriously long overdue!
At the top of my "Must next have" list.

 

[nicklaus27]

Nick - don't I just know it! With talk of remaps all over the Mk2 forum, mine is seriously long overdue!
At the top of my "Must next have" list.

it really makes a world of difference mate....have no idea how i drove mine without it now....although the horrible tendency is to get used to it and then go to stage 2 lol

 

[steveb8189]

hallo FR,

Yep definite turbo lag but that's turbo diesels for you.
(

OK, a little off topic but can someone finally clear this up for me...

What is turbo lag?

I always believed it was the time it took for the boost pressure to increase and therefore the turbo to become most effective. i.e. if you're driving along at 3k revs being steady on the throttle you'll still get lag when you floor it as the boost pressure will still need to increase.

This is very different from there being no power at low revs where the turbo isn't spooling at all but so many people seem to suggest the lack of power in a diesel between 1000 and 1900 revs is turbo lag.

Have I got the wrong idea?

 

[Nath.]

I think a little pause at 3krevs for boost pressure is "off boost" and 1krevs flooring it with with no power till 2krevs when the turbo comes on song is "Turbo lag". Some may argue but that's the way I see it.

 

[FR_Flavoured]

it really makes a world of difference mate....have no idea how i drove mine without it now....although the horrible tendency is to get used to it and then go to stage 2 lol

Thats the thing, after a time, you get used to the power delivery and want to take it to the next level. Thats going to have to happen at the next "service"...
But with a Stage 2, there's other components you'll have to look at too, which will be under alot more stress ?

" Car booked in for a Rema.. [COUGH] Service next weekend love. It can't be delayed. Its serious, like the Cambelt ! "

 

[FR_Flavoured]

On my drive home from work today, monitoring the Rev counter, the Turbo appeared to still be boosting well over 4K revs, I'd say upto 5K, before the power dropped off. I know no Two cars will be the same, just an observation.

I understand what you are saying Nath, you need to catch it (and up a gear) a fraction before the Turbo runs out of puff.

An accurate representation would be to put the car on the rollers and study the printout, pick out the efficient rev range in each gear. That would be interesting too, to see what bhp my car shows (being a stock PD170).

Regarding a Remap - will have to choose a Tuner who offers the before and after session on the rollers, for comparison.

 

[GrahamFR]

being devil fueled it is also worth noting when your torque runs out, you may still be getting additional bhp at high revs but your torque probably stopped climbing some time ago, for instance unless i was trying to get flat out on a run way i would always change around 4k, anything after and you will feel breathless and down on power

 

[JB]

Must admit I have been caught out several times! And the car never felt that quick unless I caught it just right in third and she flies! Do fancy a map myself but after my injector debacle and having them all replaced (thanks SEAT ) ) and all the dpf issues talked about (although I have had none) I worry about getting this done.

 

[tissot]

I had mine mapped and used Millers sport fuel aditive and that worked a treat. I had a conversation with a guy at REVO about this issue.

 

[JB]

what was his view? how does revo effect dpf and injectors?

 

[FR_Flavoured]

what was his view? how does revo effect dpf and injectors?

REVO no longer support the PD170 engine, when you contact them for their Remap services.
They wont touch it, due to the DPF filter in situ plus other "unknowns" - too many risks for them / bad feedback etc etc!

This is pre-facelift FR's, that have the PD engine configuration. I approached them quite recently.

 

[nicklaus27]

REVO no longer support the PD170 engine, when you contact them for their Remap services.
They wont touch it, due to the DPF filter in situ plus other "unknowns" - too many risks for them / bad feedback etc etc!

This is pre-facelift FR's, that have the PD engine configuration. I approached them quite recently.

Speak to the guys at awesome gti....they did a custom one for mine....every pd engine is obviously different, but they had great results from mine!

 

[DarrenJ]

If you don't want to get a remap, I would suggest a de-cat if you can. I have the PD150 and the engine response and turbo lag have improved notably.

The turbo now comes in as soon as the foot is put down due to more emissions able to flow through it.

Seems better on juice too. Only downside - you can smell the fumes from it if you're behind the car.

 

[AndrewJB]

If you don't want to get a remap, I would suggest a de-cat if you can. I have the PD150 and the engine response and turbo lag have improved notably.

The turbo now comes in as soon as the foot is put down due to more emissions able to flow through it.

Seems better on juice too. Only downside - you can smell the fumes from it if you're behind the car.

Useless info im afraid.... PD170 Doesn't have a CAT

Everything is built into the DPF

 

[DarrenJ]

Ah Snap!

God it makes some difference when you take away the restrictions on the emission gases.

And it makes her grunt and hissssss!