Under performing westcoast?

  1. Established Member Joined: Jan 2009 Cardiff Posts: 1087 1.4 Red Westcoast Mk2 Posi Blue VTS
    #1
    After reading around on here for a while i'm starting to believe my car is serioustly under performing..

    Car does not seem to go above 90mph unless going downhill
    Low power in the low rev range

    Only mods, piper-X induction
    Catback exhaust with ashley backbox (standard Backbox)

    I have replaced...

    Head gasket
    Oil filter
    Oil
    timing belt
    all gaskets in the cylinder head

    Cleaned: injectors, lambda, inside of thottle body, tops of pistons...

    Am i thinking that the performance of my car is impared in some way?

    hoping to change the fuel filter on the weekend to see if this changes anything..

    Just a small bit of confusion after reading about other westcoasts outperforming mine
  2. Established Member Joined: May 2008 Basingstoke Posts: 1680 Subaru Impreza Newage WRX
    #2
    I have induction and used to have cat back, now decat. My westcoast will hit 90 easy, ive never pushed it past 100 tho it would go, i get quite good acleration out of mine. Are u carrying anything heavy like tools in the boot?
  3. Established Member Joined: Jun 2009 Coventry CV6 Posts: 2477 Slowda Octavia vRS SOLD - Cam'd Chip'd VTR
    #3
    a westcoast really shouldnt struggle getting past 90 mate.. hardly a slow car..
    sounds more like a 1.1.. did you get the head skimmed when you did the gasket, only thing i can think of is that the head was warped. if the fuel filter was bad then usually it would be really bad on fuel and stutter/stall but still worth a go?
  4. Established Member Joined: Jan 2009 Cardiff Posts: 1087 1.4 Red Westcoast Mk2 Posi Blue VTS
    #4
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Lew_C View Post
    a westcoast really shouldnt struggle getting past 90 mate.. hardly a slow car..
    sounds more like a 1.1.. did you get the head skimmed when you did the gasket, only thing i can think of is that the head was warped. if the fuel filter was bad then usually it would be really bad on fuel and stutter/stall but still worth a go?

    hmmm, I didnt get the head skimmed when i swapped it all over, put it down on a flat surface and measured all around with a feeler and all seemed well..

    It does shutter when its cold and does cut out.. but only when cold..

    couldnt be anything to do with the car having almost 100k and the cams being worn? tappets are making a noise aswell mind..
  5. Established Member Joined: Jan 2009 Cardiff Posts: 1087 1.4 Red Westcoast Mk2 Posi Blue VTS
    #5
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by davidandrews5343 View Post
    I have induction and used to have cat back, now decat. My westcoast will hit 90 easy, ive never pushed it past 100 tho it would go, i get quite good acleration out of mine. Are u carrying anything heavy like tools in the boot?
    Just the 15" sub
  6. Infrequent Poster Joined: Oct 2009 Posts: 186
    #6
    mate my old 02 reg clio would gwt 120 and that had 75bhp (1.2) how can it struggle to hit 90???
  7. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Oct 2007 Scunthorpe (North Lincolnshire) Posts: 3325 White Subaru WRX Black Saxo VTS
    #7
    not running on 3 cyclyders isit? all spraks plugs okay n that?

    i had west coast, 148k n did 125 only had exhaust and induction kit, so you have problems
  8. Established Member Joined: Jun 2009 Coventry CV6 Posts: 2477 Slowda Octavia vRS SOLD - Cam'd Chip'd VTR
    #8
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Slugshead View Post
    hmmm, I didnt get the head skimmed when i swapped it all over, put it down on a flat surface and measured all around with a feeler and all seemed well..

    It does shutter when its cold and does cut out.. but only when cold..

    couldnt be anything to do with the car having almost 100k and the cams being worn? tappets are making a noise aswell mind..
    Saxo's are pretty tappety anyway as only the VTS had hydraulic tappets.. an engine doesnt just stop performing like that.. your cam won't really be 'worn' providing throughout its life it has had oil changed pretty regularly.

    my vtr has 105k and that does not struggle but the tappets are real bad, verging on diesel terratory lol
  9. Established Member Joined: Jun 2009 Coventry CV6 Posts: 2477 Slowda Octavia vRS SOLD - Cam'd Chip'd VTR
    #9
    I'd take saxo Kez's advice.. sounds like it isnt using all its cylinders, try changing the plugs, HT leads and the coil to see if that makes a difference
  10. Established Member Joined: May 2008 Basingstoke Posts: 1680 Subaru Impreza Newage WRX
    #10
    change the coil pack
  11. Established Member Joined: Jan 2009 Cardiff Posts: 1087 1.4 Red Westcoast Mk2 Posi Blue VTS
    #11
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by smokey247 View Post
    mate my old 02 reg clio would gwt 120 and that had 75bhp (1.2) how can it struggle to hit 90???
    Haha, thought something was up!!
  12. Established Member Joined: Jan 2009 Cardiff Posts: 1087 1.4 Red Westcoast Mk2 Posi Blue VTS
    #12
    Going to rule the sparkplugs out as they have only seen 7k as i was running on 3 cylinders last winter until the car warmed up in the mornings, doesnt run on 3 anymore...

    how proportional to performance will the coil pack affect it?
  13. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Oct 2007 Scunthorpe (North Lincolnshire) Posts: 3325 White Subaru WRX Black Saxo VTS
    #13
    check spark plugs again to make sure, try ignition leads, and coilpack m8, like i said something really up, my westcoast did 125mph in 4th

    try taking it to a place that has diagnostics, then they can tell you whats up with it m8
  14. Established Member Joined: Jun 2009 Coventry CV6 Posts: 2477 Slowda Octavia vRS SOLD - Cam'd Chip'd VTR
    #14
    when the spark plugs were done did the electrode gaps get checked?
  15. Established Member Joined: Jan 2009 Cardiff Posts: 1087 1.4 Red Westcoast Mk2 Posi Blue VTS
    #15
    Quote:
    check spark plugs again to make sure, try ignition leads, and coilpack m8, like i said something really up, my westcoast did 125mph in 4th
    125mph in 4th!? gonna have to figure one out hmmmm

    Quote:
    when the spark plugs were done did the electrode gaps get checked?
    What you mean by this bud? I done the plugs myself, out with the old in the with new and didn't think anything else of it...
  16. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Oct 2007 Scunthorpe (North Lincolnshire) Posts: 3325 White Subaru WRX Black Saxo VTS
    #16
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Slugshead View Post
    125mph in 4th!? gonna have to figure one out hmmmm



    What you mean by this bud? I done the plugs myself, out with the old in the with new and didn't think anything else of it...
    yes put in 5th speed just went down, so your should do alot more then 90 bud,

    u wna try spark plugs, buy a new set cheap enuff,if problem still there, u can try coil pack n ignition leads, or take it to a diagnostics, best bet tbh
  17. Established Member Joined: Jun 2009 Coventry CV6 Posts: 2477 Slowda Octavia vRS SOLD - Cam'd Chip'd VTR
    #17
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Slugshead View Post
    125mph in 4th!? gonna have to figure one out hmmmm



    What you mean by this bud? I done the plugs myself, out with the old in the with new and didn't think anything else of it...
    http://www.ehow.com/video_2326846_se...plug-gaps.html

    have a look
  18. Established Member Joined: Apr 2009 Redcar Posts: 1971 2000 Posi Blue vtr
    #18
    Check CAM TIMING, I only say this because you mention it has power in low rev range (and therefor upper rev range power is low hence effecting cars top speed as high revs are needed) - this makes me think cam timing is retarded a tooth or 2. Only takes a few mins, 2x10mm bolts and 2 drill bits.

    Wont be coil pack because you would not get to 90 with a duff one I would doubt
    Plug gaps will not effect performance to that extent either

    Also could be a collapsed cat or busted lambda sensor giving bogus readings to ecu
  19. Established Member Joined: Jan 2009 Cardiff Posts: 1087 1.4 Red Westcoast Mk2 Posi Blue VTS
    #19
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Lew_C View Post
    Ok kool, cheers for this, will have to watch the video later once im home from work, all streaming stuff is blocked in work.. lol
  20. Frequent Poster Joined: Jan 2009 northamptonshire Posts: 719 saxo furio/vtr
    #20
    when i saw this thread i knew it would be you after our talk last night

    cheak plugs as abouve , cheak leads and try that redex stuff
  21. Established Member Joined: Jan 2009 Cardiff Posts: 1087 1.4 Red Westcoast Mk2 Posi Blue VTS
    #21
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by DJVTR View Post
    when i saw this thread i knew it would be you after our talk last night

    cheak plugs as abouve , cheak leads and try that redex stuff
    Haha yeah its been playing on my mind all day!
  22. Established Member Joined: Jan 2009 Cardiff Posts: 1087 1.4 Red Westcoast Mk2 Posi Blue VTS
    #22
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Stevo123 View Post
    Check CAM TIMING, I only say this because you mention it has power in low rev range (and therefor upper rev range power is low hence effecting cars top speed as high revs are needed) - this makes me think cam timing is retarded a tooth or 2. Only takes a few mins, 2x10mm bolts and 2 drill bits.

    Wont be coil pack because you would not get to 90 with a duff one I would doubt
    Plug gaps will not effect performance to that extent either

    Also could be a collapsed cat or busted lambda sensor giving bogus readings to ecu
    Going to have to rule out the timing there mate, only done that about 2 weeks ago...

    collapsed cat? too much backpressure then im guessing causing stuttering and spluttering?
  23. Frequent Poster Joined: Jul 2009 Whitchurch Shropshire Posts: 723 106 quiksilver 2002 Mk2 Icelandic Saxo VTR
    #23
    Change your throttle cable or tighten it, mine was like that because the throttle cable was frayed and wouldn't let it open up properly
  24. Infrequent Poster Joined: Sep 2009 fife Posts: 227 97white vtd, 02silver vtr, 01blacked out vts
    #24
    has it ever had the gearbox changed? there is a slight diffrence in the ration of a 1.1 box and the 1.4 box
  25. Established Member Joined: Jun 2009 Coventry CV6 Posts: 2477 Slowda Octavia vRS SOLD - Cam'd Chip'd VTR
    #25
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by dexter View Post
    has it ever had the gearbox changed? there is a slight diffrence in the ration of a 1.1 box and the 1.4 box
    I wouldnt say to warrant struggling getting past 90,
    could i suggest a video please? Im not advertising speeding or anything you might just think its slow or whatever i think my VTR is piss poor slow yet again ive drove XFR's and XKR's at work haha

    oh, another suggestion i was reading some magazine today and there was a car that had different floormats fitted and basically they were a dire fit and they wouldnt let the pedal go to its full travel? A quick suggestion maybe...
  26. Established Member Joined: Jan 2009 Cardiff Posts: 1087 1.4 Red Westcoast Mk2 Posi Blue VTS
    #26
    Quote:
    has it ever had the gearbox changed? there is a slight diffrence in the ration of a 1.1 box and the 1.4 box
    Nope, still the standard box and its in good condition.

    Quote:
    I wouldnt say to warrant struggling getting past 90,
    could i suggest a video please? Im not advertising speeding or anything you might just think its slow or whatever i think my VTR is piss poor slow yet again ive drove XFR's and XKR's at work haha

    oh, another suggestion i was reading some magazine today and there was a car that had different floormats fitted and basically they were a dire fit and they wouldnt let the pedal go to its full travel? A quick suggestion maybe...
    Yeah that sounds like a plan... should be able to get one tonight

    Haha, yeah thought that might have been it... but no
  27. Frequent Poster Joined: Jul 2009 Whitchurch Shropshire Posts: 723 106 quiksilver 2002 Mk2 Icelandic Saxo VTR
    #27
    Try throttle cable, seriously lol just adjust it under bonnet see if it makes a difference
  28. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Jul 2008 preston lancashire Posts: 3210 1999 mango west coast!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    #28
    mine has this same problem its doin my head in!!!

    its had new headgasket new cluctch new oil n filter, fuel filter

    however i can get about 100mph out of mine... ??


    think ill have to have a look at the mentioned things n see if any of that sorts it
  29. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Jul 2008 preston lancashire Posts: 3210 1999 mango west coast!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    #29
    mine has this same problem its doin my head in!!!

    its had new headgasket new cluctch new oil n filter, fuel filter

    however i can get about 100mph out of mine... ??


    think ill have to have a look at the mentioned things n see if any of that sorts it
  30. Established Member Joined: Jun 2009 Helensburgh Posts: 1206 Cammed Ph2 VTS
    #30
    balls to redex.

    someone posted an exact thread on this exact same problem last week.

    check ignition and that you havent knocked the timing one notch out.
  31. Established Member Joined: Jan 2009 Cardiff Posts: 1087 1.4 Red Westcoast Mk2 Posi Blue VTS
    #31
    Checked throttle cable, tighted it up a few notches and no difference..

    Cleaned all sensors inside the TB/intake manifold bit, cleaned connections for injectors...

    Checked timing and it was spot on, confusing!
  32. Established Member Joined: Jun 2009 Coventry CV6 Posts: 2477 Slowda Octavia vRS SOLD - Cam'd Chip'd VTR
    #32
    this is mad, you have been missold a 0.8 n/a diesel lol
  33. Established Member Joined: Jan 2009 Cardiff Posts: 1087 1.4 Red Westcoast Mk2 Posi Blue VTS
    #33
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Lew_C View Post
    this is mad, you have been missold a 0.8 n/a diesel lol
    Haha QQ

    Im thinking it might be the lambda.... everything its doing seems to tally up with a worn out/contaminated lambda...

    (contaminated for the fact i blew the HG about 6 months back and drove with it blown for 6 months)
  34. Established Member Joined: May 2008 Basingstoke Posts: 1680 Subaru Impreza Newage WRX
    #34
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Lew_C View Post

    oh, another suggestion i was reading some magazine today and there was a car that had different floormats fitted and basically they were a dire fit and they wouldnt let the pedal go to its full travel? A quick suggestion maybe...
    i had worse than that, the mat was too far foward and when i went on full throttle the pedal got jammed down, scary as f**k
  35. Established Member Joined: Jan 2009 Cardiff Posts: 1087 1.4 Red Westcoast Mk2 Posi Blue VTS
    #35
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by davidandrews5343 View Post
    i had worse than that, the mat was too far foward and when i went on full throttle the pedal got jammed down, scary as f**k
    Shit!! can imagine how scary that could have been! can relate to that though, fitted cold air feed and forgot to snip cable ties, got stuck in the bit of the TB which ha the cable n and jammed it open!
  36. Newbie Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 20
    #36
    did you cure the problem? i have a westcoast and it is veryslow, almost as slow as my 1.0 saxo,