New 1915 and only 19 MPG

YOGIVW · Posted: Mon Jul 27, 2009 12:22 am Post subject: New 1915 and only 19 MPG

Brand New 1915 engine in a super beetle convertible, around 550 miles on it, just completed 350miles trip ( 75% cursing, 25% town ) and I got only 19MPG. From what I read at this forum I see some of you get as much as 30MPG out of 1915.
Spec:
Hades Steve Tims StageII 42x37 valves
44IDFs pre jetted by DRD
W120
A1 1 5/8”
Bosch 009 with Pertronix ( set at 30 fully advanced )
Tires 205/55R16
Gearbox – stock AT code with 3,875R&P and 0,93 4th
Oil 10W-30

Any ideas where to look to get better mileage?
Thanks
_________________
Pawel
Vw 1303 1979 Black&Beige convertible
VW T4 2001 Caravelle Business 2.8 V6
Westfalia James Cook 2.9TD

AlteWagen · Troll Joined: February 23, 2007 Posts: 8501 Location: PNW

taller rear tires
taller fourth gear (bus .82)
drive with egg under your right foot Wink

madmike · Posted: Mon Jul 27, 2009 6:23 am Post subject:

I have the same cam and carbs and I do my own porting I got about 25mpg, I'm thinking the rings arn't quite seated yet?? you say pre-jetted?? do a plug reading you may be over jetted,I'd get the taller tires to try, and you won't need a .082 4th gear or you'll have overheatng problems,A vert is a heavy bug and that must be a fun to drive with alot more power of a 1915 Cool

But, when gas hit $4 a gal up here I built a 1641 w/40 idf's and get 28-32mpg but alot less power Confused

but still fun to drive,I hope this helps,Madmike
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76 Drag/Street bug 2180cc 'Turbo' 11:85 @113 mph"If I go any faster I'll burn up the Hamster" ,gets 28 mpg. also 10/09/22 11.90 @115 mph
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Tkisner · Samba Member Joined: May 15, 2004 Posts: 275

Pre-Jetted means ball park. You need to dial it in now.

YOGIVW · Posted: Mon Jul 27, 2009 8:37 am Post subject:

Pictures of my NGK plugs from cylinder No 4 ( left) and No 2

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

>I'm thinking the rings arn't quite seated yet??

probablly not, will do the compression test today

>A vert is a heavy bug and khat must be a fun to drive with alot more power of >a 1915

yes it is fun but I expected littel bit more. I do not know what is wrong, but this engine does not spin to the 6000-6500RPM. It has a power but no a lot more.
Before weekend I will borrow 010 from my friend who got it from Glen, will check what MPG will get.
_________________
Pawel
Vw 1303 1979 Black&Beige convertible
VW T4 2001 Caravelle Business 2.8 V6
Westfalia James Cook 2.9TD

andk5591 · Posted: Mon Jul 27, 2009 8:54 am Post subject:

Seriously you are barely broke in. What did you have in it before and what MPG were you getting? Driving style and the kind of miles makes a huge difference. With my 1200 and a very light foot on the highway (55-60) I get 32+ easy, but the way I normally drive its more like 28. You might also want to see what a little more advance may do for you as well. In addition, a vac advance distributor is supposed to give better MPGs, but the 010 is a worthwhile experiment.
_________________
D-Dubya Manx clone - 63 Short pan,1914.
Rosie 65 bug - My mostly stock daily driver.
Woodie 69 VW woodie (Hot VWs 7/12).
"John's car" 64 VW woodie - The first ever
Maxine 61 Cal-look bug - Cindy's daily driver.
Max - 73 standard Beetle hearse project - For sale
66 bug project - Real patina & Suby conversion
There's more, but not keeping them...

Max Welton · Posted: Mon Jul 27, 2009 9:09 am Post subject:

YOGIVW · Posted: Mon Jul 27, 2009 9:17 am Post subject:

sturgeongeneral · Posted: Mon Jul 27, 2009 9:28 am Post subject:

I also think you are still in break in mode. In time mpg should improve. I was kinda disapointed when I only get 17 mpg in my 2375 but figure the extra power and fun is worth it.
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Max Welton · Posted: Mon Jul 27, 2009 9:42 am Post subject:

YOGIVW · Posted: Mon Jul 27, 2009 10:10 am Post subject:

perrib · Posted: Mon Jul 27, 2009 11:05 am Post subject:

Letting it break in could help but how and where you drive it matters more. I can get 25 mpg with easy driving at 55 mph on the street and at 65 mph it drops to 23. If I'm pushing it hard off roading the mileage drops fast to 12-15 mpg. Engine is a 2180 with a VZ 30 style cam.

Matthew · Posted: Mon Jul 27, 2009 1:00 pm Post subject:

Try some 55 idle jets. You will have to readjust your mixture volume screws. If you have to take them more than 3 turns off the seat to get the highest idle then try 57 idles. Do you know how many turns out you are now? Remember, most of your cruising and in town driving is one the idle jets.
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1965 Beetle sedan
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andk5591 · Posted: Mon Jul 27, 2009 4:24 pm Post subject:

Before you start messing with your set up, I would just put a few hundred more miles on it. If you are like me witha new engine, you are playing with it a bit. The buggy has a 1776 with decent heads and dual kads. Have a late geared tranny. But I am on it all the time because its so much fun. 25 is a stretch. So - once the novelty of the new engine wears off a little and everything seats better, you'll probably get more like 25. And if you really want to see what it will do, try like hell to cruise at 55....

My regular car is a Subaru WRX - I get 25 on a good day - had to drive 4 hours on an interstate behind my neice who was nursing her minivan home and had to drive 55 the whole way. I got 32 MPG...... But honestly - what fun is that?????
_________________
D-Dubya Manx clone - 63 Short pan,1914.
Rosie 65 bug - My mostly stock daily driver.
Woodie 69 VW woodie (Hot VWs 7/12).
"John's car" 64 VW woodie - The first ever
Maxine 61 Cal-look bug - Cindy's daily driver.
Max - 73 standard Beetle hearse project - For sale
66 bug project - Real patina & Suby conversion
There's more, but not keeping them...

kielbasa · Posted: Mon Jul 27, 2009 5:55 pm Post subject:

i dont know whats up with alot of guys having horrible gas milage. i got 32mpg with my 1915 from vegas to disneyland 3/4s of a tank non stop.

my buddy with his BIG 2liter and ida's was around 30mpg going UP the grape vine
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Dubbers Toy Box
Jeff's VW Speed and Fab
4inbore.com
Kielbasa Industries

Matthew · Posted: Mon Jul 27, 2009 6:01 pm Post subject:

YOGIVW · Posted: Tue Jul 28, 2009 12:05 am Post subject:

Before my weekend trip the plan is:
- readjust mixture, I think it is too rich
- change 009 for 010
- put little more pressure into tires
- check my odometer with GPS
- cruise all the way 55 – 60 MPH
something else?

If it will not help will try to mess with the jets ( go from 60 to 55 )
Will report after weekend
Thanks for the tips so far
_________________
Pawel
Vw 1303 1979 Black&Beige convertible
VW T4 2001 Caravelle Business 2.8 V6
Westfalia James Cook 2.9TD

splitpile · Posted: Tue Jul 28, 2009 12:08 am Post subject:

Try a smaller exhuast 1 1/2.
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YOGIVW · Posted: Tue Jul 28, 2009 12:13 am Post subject:

lostinbaja · Posted: Tue Jul 28, 2009 5:08 am Post subject:

60 Idle jets are too big, you need change to 55's and you will notice an instant improvment in performance and mileage. It's not good to run a new engine too rich.
_________________
Jerry...
If it's being towed, it must be a trailer!
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