Page 1 of 3
1.4 POLO slow as f**k
Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2007 11:58 pm
by JoeG07
Prettty sure this is just how Polo's are designed, but my polo is a 1.4 and is pretty damn slow, my mates 1.2 corsa can beat it (embarrestment!) Can't understand why a relatively big engine is so slow, but anyway, what can I do to make it faster? I know induction kits and all that crap make a lot of noise and dnt do bugger all. I'm 17, what can i add that will make noticable difference that won't break the bank and WON'T rocket my insurance? Or am i living in a silly fantasy world, and all this is just not possible? Am i looking to spend eccess of £300 and the same again on insurance?
ALSO this is what i would like to do
(photoshopped) BUT I JUST CAN'T AFFORD THE SPRAYING!! I can buy the kit for quite cheap and my mate can fit for free, but spraying is so much!!!
Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2007 12:53 am
by Bullough
The reason ur car is so slow is because most polo 1.4's are 8 valve instead of 16 valve ur mate's corsa is prob a 16valve. Anyway to make it faster u could maybe have it chipped thats gona cost ya about £300 tops and you could always not tell ur insurance about that lol thats gona be ur best bet if u dont want induction kits and huge exhaust after that your talking turbos and god knows what else.
Re: 1.4 POLO slow as ****
Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2007 2:42 pm
by dragon_green
JoeG07 wrote:am i living in a silly fantasy world, and all this is just not possible?
think you may well be, unfortunately.
the real benefits of a remap are found when you've done a lot to your engine... remapping a standard engine ain't gonna get you much, especially on a fairly simple engine like the 1.4 8v.
Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2007 6:58 pm
by Robdeforma
The 1.4's main floor is acceleration in the first few gears from a stand still. That does unfortunatly come from the majority being only 8v, my mum has just got an 05' 1.2 Polo Twist which is 12v and driving that I can feel so much difference.
Its hard to say what would actually stop this problem keeping the same engine in, induction kits don't give you much if anything on BHP, remapping it can bring it up a bit but as dragon_green said, unless your willing to upgrade more parts within your engine it wont do much.
A mate of mine used to race with a 1.4 Polo 6N and before he wrote it of on the track, he had it at 135bhp (tested on a rolling road) but he had a full engine upgrade not just the remapping done....
Beat a corsa
Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2007 12:55 am
by skyline.99
I have the same polo 1.4 8v and my mate also has a 1.2 corsa (not twin port). Im pretty sure my polo is faster than his car.
So far I have a
Exauhst manifold
Air filter
Cold air intake
Backbox
He has an air filter n exhaust too but no cold air intake or exhaust manifold.
Anyway hope that helps
Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2007 10:44 am
by JoeG07
awesome does it make much difference to your polo?
Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2007 4:31 pm
by LeMeph
Ive raced 1.6 16v corsas and won before now...
what is it with my car??? only a 1.4 8V and i seem to beat most little cars. Maybe i just know how to thrash my car properly??
Hmmm... maybe...
How long have you been driving mate? Dont wanna sound insulting or anythign but maybe you just dont know how to throw your little beats about properly? Either that ro your engine is just ragged to s**t lol.
Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2007 6:47 pm
by pip_polo
i agreee with the guy about my 1.4 8v is faster than my mates 1.2 16v corsa by a mile. experiment with it, get it right and don't be letting no corsa's beet you

Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2007 8:47 pm
by carmadaaron
on paper the corsas are faster.
ive had plenty tests on the 1.4 8v and its not bad up to the end of 2nd gear, as soon as you put it into 3rd (~50mph) it just takes ages to get to 60!
VW say the 0-60 is 14.9s i believe, but ive had it at 13.0s.

(standard car)
Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2007 6:40 pm
by PeteJ
anything you do to your car at your age will make it even more epxensive.
the engine wont really be good for much more bhp than it already has not without spending silly money.
start pulling stuff off the car

make it lighter, there's a ton of things you dont NEED on a car :
rear seats
passenger seat
soun deadening (hidden behind all the interior panels)
the interior panels

a dash board
carpets!
ANY plastic or carpet you can remove.
see if its faster then!
failing all its a talking point hehe.
Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2007 8:59 pm
by dragon_green
agree with you up to a point pete - but maybe best to leave the dashboard in....? ?
firstly it houses a shedload of wiring and secondly it will deform more than the metal frame should your head hit it in an accident!
you forgot the spare wheel though
making sure you've serviced it properly (good oil and good gearbox oil) will help. and make sure everything is warmed up properly before you rag it too.
Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2007 9:09 pm
by PeteJ
dash board? pfeh!!! fling it

fix the speedo in position with tape.
spare whel can go too

get small alloys as there lighter than larger alloys... er smaller = faster acceleration etc.
throw the exhuast away too

thats heavy
dont need doorhandles either.
Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2007 9:18 pm
by Redline

Lightweight alloys are always a winner! You forgot replacing the back windows with perspex ones though!
But yeah, strip the back end out and fit a nice shiny rear strut brace.
Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2007 12:00 pm
by LeMeph
you people are still using perspex? Dark ages man. This is the 20th century man! Technology can, and has done, so much more. take me for example. Im using cellophane. i wrap my windows like i wrap my sandwiches beatch
well my mum does...
LOL.
Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2007 12:50 pm
by shortishort
what chance has my 1.4 8v gt against my mates huge 1.4 306?
