Has anyone tried to get more out of basic 1.4 petrol engine?

[Lanttu]

My polo just went over 125 000 kilometers and it is starting to lose some cricital engine parts. Throttle position sensor is about gone and its now making wierd noise. I found that the OEM spare part is very expensive (700 euros over here) so I thought that I can look around if there is some tuning part to replace this... it hurts already so why I dont pay little bit more and gain more?

SO. My question is - have anyone bought (or atleast - found?) any engine tuning parts (exspecialy TPS) for basic 1.4 petrol engine? I have no TDI, no GTI but that doesn't mean that I cannot have some fun.

I already found K&M intake kit, and they promise that I can feel the difference. Is that really true? Anyone tested it? How about exhaust system?

Btw. My Polo isn't even 16V version... Standard 55kw engine.

Any conversation of this subject would be nice.

[RUM4MO]

Hi, yes the 55KW engine is a bit "flat" - I would think that TPS should give a better "feel" to the throttle - lazy throttle response when the engine is not cold is horrible.

[Lanttu]

How about better intake? Is it just marketing BS that it gives me 5+ hp and more torgue for takeoff?

I am not good with engine tech, but if I try to imagine what happens at the engine when air flows to compustion champer with better pressure and cooler, the whole process is more power efficient than what it could be with poor airflow and already warm air. So - n00b says; it could work.

Anyone tested it ?

[david burton]

5hp is s**t. you'll get an engine that may get air better, so rev more freely, but 5hp is more like 0.5hp

[Lanttu]

Yes. I can believe that it is more like 0.5 hp but eventually it still does what I want? I mean, it really makes it easier for the car to "take off" from 0? At the moment it feels kind of heavy when it starts moving i.e. from traffic lights.

I do have 17" inch rims, but I felt same kind of lazynes with 15" winter tyres...

[V800DUB]

Yeah not much difference with the K and N inductions at all i'll speak first hand probably 1hp or something but definately better throttle response all round. Plus it sounds fast haha, but then people look at you and see your going about 30mph and struggling to do anymore, no not really the main difference is you'll be at the petrol shop more often!!

[shakt1]

the main difference is you'll be at the petrol shop more often!!

I can vouch for this, I removed my K&N as I found it was affecting my fuel consumption, It sounds great but I was lossing about 15-20miles on my normal journey to work. I replaced it back with the standard air filter

[Lanttu]

the main difference is you'll be at the petrol shop more often!!

I can vouch for this, I removed my K&N as I found it was affecting my fuel consumption, It sounds great but I was lossing about 15-20miles on my normal journey to work. I replaced it back with the standard air filter

ouch. That was actually one point of view that I didn't realized. So.. the conclusion is; I am running 1.4 petrol engine. I can make it sound cool and fast, but the illusion is easily broken by delivery guy on bicycle. If I dont want to support Oil business, I'll just accept the reality and stay on the right lane... (left in most of your cases. )

[david burton]

take of the 17s and put some very light wheels on it if you want performance.

as for the filter, you're definitely better off by getting a panel filter replacement (green cotton filter perhaps), and try to open up the air intake so you get more cold air to the engine.

other things, remove the interior

[pip_polo]

If I dont want to support Oil business

i dont mind as i work for them.


like dave said remove heavy items if you want speed, alloys, spare wheel and rear seats, that'l increase acceleration by about 1mph per 30 lol

[steve__30]

the k&n filter will lose about 2 hp because it sits on top of the engine and sucks hot air straight in, u r beter off getin a k&n panel filter and putin it into ur standard air box