Beefing up a ZS!

[Ian G]

Hi, I would just like to say what a cracking site-a real valuable resource tool (Dr Dave do you get the time to actually sell cars/drive your own?!!)
I've had my ZS120+ for about 5 months, am happy with it but I would really like to improve the engine performance and MPG. I drive from St Andrews to Liverpool each week and it breaks my heart to have to put on 600 miles each time not least 2 tanks of fuel (is only 600ish normal for 2 tanks?)!! What I really want to know is, without spending too much money, how do I increase the torque and MOST IMPORTANTLY THE ECCONOMY. I have heard that you can remap the K Series' ECU to improve both. If so, how much does this cost? What about chips induction kits etc. Excuse my ignorange but I'm new to this "technical" lark!
Rgds
Ian

[Dr Dave]

Ian

The ZS120 is good on fuel (Well the one I had was..) I didn't actually record what MPG or miles/tank I got but it was over 450 miles to a tank.

No remapping of the ZS/45 ECM is possible; Chipping and remapping of Rover ECM's has always been awkward, not sure why.

Perhaps try Police Mode for increased low down torque?

I'd go for an induction kit; we sell loads of Pipercross Kits. They represent good value at £69.99

[Ian G]

Thanks for that Dave. I certainly don't get 450 miles to a tank perhaps I'll ask about that whn it goes for it's first servicing at the end of the month.

Re Police mode: if this increases lower end torque, what does it do at the higher end? And by (probably) having less torque at the higher end, does that mean that at 80mph you are going to use more fuel than you would have through the engine working harder? See previous quote concerning "this technical lark"!!!

Finally, do most MGR garages sell induction kits or can I send you a cheque or something?

Cheers=P

[Dr Dave]

I don't know who else is selling induction kits; it's certainly not the norm for an MGR Dealer.

Contact me off forum for more info :)

There has been much debate as to Police Mode, but we have no Rolling Road data to back it up with but the general consensus is that it brings the torque in lower down the rev range; whether there is any truth in this, well we'll have to wait and see.

I might do a 'test' with a ZR160 next week, my Service Advisor has one

[Dr Dave]

Oh, nearly forgot.....with Police Mode, apparently there is a small trade-off in top end power. Again, whether this holds true is another thing entirely......

[Ian G]

Thanks Dave, I think my ZS needs more than beefing up now. I went to pick my beautiful car up from the Stn where it had been left overnight and someone has trashed it by smashing of the lovely rear spoiler. I was nearly sick when I saw it.??? I phoned up my local dealer and they said it would be about 200 +VAT just for the spoiler in primer. I know that the prices seem to vary for this sort of stuff (I spoke to a couple of places re side sill prices) so is about right? Where can I get the cheapest spoilers from because I am even more broke than my precious car! I know people that can do the pearlescant paint for me as long as I have the paint number; have you any idea what the number is for trophy blue?

Yours in depression

Ian

[Dr Dave]

Bloody hell Ian isn't anything safe these days??

We suffered the same sort of problem a couple of months ago.

4 or 5dr car, Ian?

In other words, big scooby spoiler or small sensible spoiler?

[Edited by Dr Dave on 13-05-2002 at 06:16 PM GMT]

[Ian G]

It's the 5 door with the medium size spoiler (I believe there are 3 sizes) i.e. the next one down from the humongous one!

Rgds

Ian