MPG

You don't know him do you, Harvey? :wink:

True, I can't categorically pin it on him, but he told me about certain modifications he made to the car himself, many of which took some time, effort and cash to put right.

I suspect therefore, with good reason, he was the one with the 'magic' fingertip. :roll:
 
You're probably right. It does amaze me sometimes the lengths some people will go to to avoid doing the job properly, which probably would have taken less time and effort anyway. :roll:
 
BTW, on a good run (Essex - Brackley) and back, I have averaged around 26 mpg.

Not at all bad for a 38 year old car given my other half's Honda S2000 gives around 30 mpg if nursed gently.
 
I've had mine (3500, 5 speed manual conversion, Holley 390 carb, Mallory dual point distributor, stainless standard exhaust, standard engine fan only) near to the 30mpg mark on a run, sitting at an actual 65-70mph.

However, it's been down as bad as 22-24mpg in windy rush hour motorway conditions when sitting at a realistic 75-80mph.

Plans are to fit larger diameter tyres (I've got smaller diameter tyres than standard) to try to improve the MPG a touch.

Conversely, I'm sure I've had it average single figure MPG on short (2-3 mile) rush-hour runs in town, when you spend more time sitting still than moving. Mine smells a touch rich at idle anyway.
 
If you want efficiency at higher speeds, you need to replace the body with something a bit more aerodynamic, something like an 800 fastback :LOL: My 820 does 45+ mpg at 70mph.

Not quite the same classic motoring experience though :D

Seriously though, I think Chris said he'd seen an improvement in high speed MPG after fitting the police spoilers.
 
It is important to remember that ignition timing can make a big impact on fuel consumption. When my 4.6 was in the running in phase over the first 2500 Miles it was set to a dull state of tune, initial timing was only 3 degress BTDC and the needles were my 3.5 originals,...BBG along with the P6B air canister and filters. Fuel consumption at best was 21mpg. Then following the major tune undertaken on a rolling road where the needles were swapped for much richer BBW's , subsequently polished as they were still too lean, K & N filters and the large intake air canister fitted, ignition timing initally increased to 9 degrees BTDC and then 12 degrees which gave the correct total timing. The following day I went out and drove over a 90 mile course that I had undertaken on numerous occasions in the previous weeks, the only difference being this time I drove really hard. Taking off from sets of lights leaving all and sundry well behind, roaring up long hills over a winding course through a National Park and return. There was a fuel stop at both ends as I had done previously, and now the result. I had expected to use more, the car had loads more get up and go but no I had used less,...24mpg was the result and I was truly amazed!

Ron.
 
rockdemon said:
Lee, Worth checking out Chris York's thread 'lucky breathes easy' for free flow air filters.
Rich
Click to expand...

Hello,
I decided to go for the cone type high-flow air filters for my 3.9. Unfortunately I was given a bit of a bum steer with needle choice, which was BCA, and are IMHO not suitable on a car for road use. They were great at lower revs, but at a higher throttle(for overtaking etc)were dangerous, as the needles just dump fuel into the engine and nearly stop the motor :shock: I therefore decided on the popular BBW needles, which I fitted and tested today with very pleasing results :D I understand that with a bit of needle polishing they can be improved, however.

I decided to fit the cone filters on to the elbows so not to look too chav :wink:
DSC00280.jpg


DSC00271-2.jpg


Sorry about the pics - it always appears to be dark recently :roll:

I will do an MPG check soon :idea:
 
rockdemon said:
did you check out http://www.mintylamb.co.uk/suneedle/?

BBW and BBA are very different!

Rich.
Click to expand...

Hi Rich,
To be honest I did. But although looking savage on the excellent Mintylamb chart, I thought they would work well on the larger 3.9. I actually looked on a popular parts suppliers listing on suitable needles for RV8's and the BCA ticked all the boxes. But in practice indeed not. I'm glad the SU needles aren't too pricey :roll: Judging by Ron's superb 4.6 installation, the BBW's are the ones I should've bought first :roll: Oh well, ya lives and ya learns...or not :?
 
I guess a rolling road is the only true answer... I haven't dared ask how much that costs approximately... Maybe now's a good time to find out!

Rich
 
My nearest in Northallerton is 50 quid per 'power run' and £78 per hour :shock: for tuning.

Cheaper if lots of you go apparently.
 
That's much less than i thought!

When i have PAE with the 4 speed gearbox and new air filters connected i think i'd be silly not to try it!

Rich.
 
If you just want a power plot, it's usually cheaper to go to some sort of club day, I went along with a mate to a Celica day and they were paying £30 a pop for basic power plots.
 
I'm thinking dizzy advance and Carb needles.... Get best performance vs MPG possible...

Rich.
 
rockdemon said:
I'm thinking dizzy advance and Carb needles.... Get best performance vs MPG possible...

Rich.
Click to expand...

Hi Rich,
I appear to be a bit limited on the amount of advance I dial-in on my V8. Too much and I get a very catchy slow turn over on start-up - a bit like a flat battery, but it isn't. And too little advance then performance suffers. I'll probably try to get it a tad more advanced than it is I think, as it was quickly set the other day for setting-up the filters and needles :)
 
I went to a rolling road in Wakefield.

Ok for a power (£50) run but he didn't seem to be aware that there were engines around that you couldn't plug a computer into.

Richard
 
quattro said:
I went to a rolling road in Wakefield.

Ok for a power (£50) run but he didn't seem to be aware that there were engines around that you couldn't plug a computer into.

Richard
Click to expand...

Ain't that the truth!
 
LeeEFI wrote,...
I appear to be a bit limited on the amount of advance I dial-in on my V8. Too much and I get a very catchy slow turn over on start-up - a bit like a flat battery, but it isn't. And too little advance then performance suffers. I'll probably try to get it a tad more advanced than it is I think, as it was quickly set the other day for setting-up the filters and needles
Click to expand...

Hi Lee,

With your 3.9, the ideal initial advance will be in the region of 12 to 14 degrees BTDC at 600rpm with a total mechanical advance of 34 degrees. Connect up an independent tachometer and set the idle speed to 600rpm then slowly advance the timing while watching the tacho and listening to the engine. The engine revs will rise as you advance the timing until you reach a point where increasing the timing further will see no further increase in engine revs. This is likely to be in the region of 700 to 800 rpm. The point that you are looking for is that which sees the engine idle as smoothly as possible with the highest rpm combined with the least amount of advance to achieve it. Even though the Rover uses ported vacuum, it is a good idea to disconnect the vacuum advance and plug the hose end whilst carrying out this procedure. Reconnect once complete and road test.

The BBW needles ( I appreciate your kind comments... :) )will be pretty close to the mark for your 3.9 fitted with the K & N filters that you have.

Ron.
 
SydneyRoverP6B said:
With your 3.9, the ideal initial advance will be in the region of 12 to 14 degrees BTDC at 600rpm with a total mechanical advance of 34 degrees. Connect up an independent tachometer and set the idle speed to 600rpm then slowly advance the timing while watching the tacho and listening to the engine. The engine revs will rise as you advance the timing until you reach a point where increasing the timing further will see no further increase in engine revs. This is likely to be in the region of 700 to 800 rpm. The point that you are looking for is that which sees the engine idle as smoothly as possible with the highest rpm combined with the least amount of advance to achieve it. Even though the Rover uses ported vacuum, it is a good idea to disconnect the vacuum advance and plug the hose end whilst carrying out this procedure. Reconnect once complete and road test.

The BBW needles ( I appreciate your kind comments... :) )will be pretty close to the mark for your 3.9 fitted with the K & N filters that you have.

Ron.
Click to expand...

Hello Ron,
Well, this is very interesting reading indeed:D I'm now looking forward to having a bit of a tune-up this weekend :idea: This method should find just the right setting hopefully. I'll post how I get on. Cheers :wink:
 
Hello,
A slightly dissapointing tune-up session today. I tried your method Ron, initially with great results; smoother; more responsive etc. But the starter didn't like too much advance (slow turn-over). So I had to retard the ign again, but I was able to get it a tad more advanced than before. So some improvement :) The only way to run it at full ign advance would be to fit a HT starter motor, which I had tried before, and wasn't that over-enamoured with it.
 
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