Am I expecting too much from the Sprint?

[algtj]

Following yesterday's blat around the airfield in the Sprint I was a little dissapointed as it didnt feel that much quicker than the 1500.<br>
Ok a little more torque to play with but just didnt seem anywhere like 127BHP at all.<br>
To compare it with the BX 1.9 GTi Auto 8 Valve (122BHP) the BX is quicker and smoother.<br>
Unfair comparison as its a more modern car?<br>
I am beginning to think the 1500 is really very good as its not that much slower than the BX.<br>
Can't really compare it with the Auto Ascona as that will eat all of them!<br>
<br>
Al 'The idiot who lost his village' Williams

<p></p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://p206.ezboard.com/bthetriumphdolo ... b>algtj</A> at: 1/2/06 3:56 pm<br></i>

[2F45T4U]

Could be worse. Could be 20+seconds to 60 and uses more fuel than Hemel Hemsted! I roughly worked it out to it costing more than the bus if I went to a mates house in my waggon!

<p></p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://p206.ezboard.com/bthetriumphdolo ... 2F45T4U</A>  <IMG HEIGHT=10 WIDTH=10 SRC="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5 ... bNW7hu4ZtQ" BORDER=0> at: 1/2/06 12:04 pm<br></i>

[Jon Tilson]

or objective? You need a time from standing start over a measured distance or a stop watch on the speedo against in gear times.<br>
<br>
The Sprint should blow everything esle you mentioned away....<br>
<br>
But its easy to be down on power and not really notice when poodling around. Compression test...check ignition advance curve....cam timing if its non standard, correct jets matched to exhaust etc...any of the above can loose you 20 bhp easily...which is 2 seconds of a 0-60-time. Rolling road session with exhaust gas analysis is well worth it but only if compression is good.<br>
<br>
Modern cars with electronic ignition, efi etc do stay in tune far better so don't seem to drop off that much as they age. <br>
<br>
<br>
Jonners

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[algtj]

I have been as objective as I can, but the following will be subjective!!! <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :D --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /happy.gif ALT=":D"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br>
When I bought the BX not so long ago, a mate drove it back with me behind in the 1500. He said he had a hard time getting away from me and gave up!<br>
I agree with the modern engine staying in tune (Citroen) and I do lavish care and attention on the 1500 engine.<br>
The Ascona is an absolute brute, big valve head, hot cam, twin choke webber and running 100 octane fuel. Its a toy really. <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :evil --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /devil.gif ALT=":evil"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br>
I'll do a compression check tomorrow, check the timing out and look at the carbs.<br>
It has been stood for a while, so.......<br>
I need someone with Sprint experience really to give it a thrap and see what they think. <br>
<br>
<br>
Al W

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[Jon Tilson]

silted up fuel system too then....<br>
Fresh petrol will also make a BIG difference.<br>
<br>
the thing I find amazing about all my old heaps is how much crap and neglect they tolerate and stil run...<br>
<br>
Jonners

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[LewisK]

Yea, I find these slant engines, the '7 and the 1850 in particularly to be tough cookies at the moment! Seems to take anything I put through 'em, then some, and not complain.<br>
<br>
I do try and keep it in fine fettle, as best I can mind, and I'm sure you probably could have an equally bad experience with one but then again, why? Make sure it's a gooden, nicely built, few odds and sods and you're ready to rock.<br>
<br>
Fancy putting a built TR7 engine together soon, on FI, now that I have the space, just to see what you can eek out of it within sensible limits, althoguh given the FI I can run a ridiculously wild cam and still have it streetable.<br>
<br>
Should be fun. If I do, i'll put up a full blog about it.

<p><!--EZCODE IMAGE START--><img src="http://www.antchip.com/ocuk4.jpg"/><!--EZCODE IMAGE END--><br>
<!--EZCODE FONT START--><span style="font-size:xx-small;"><!--EZCODE ITALIC START--><em>Been drivin' all night, hands wet on the wheel...</em><!--EZCODE ITALIC END--></span><!--EZCODE FONT END--></p><i></i>

[algtj]

Now there is a good point Jonner's!<br>
I popped a little 100 octane in the tank to freshen things up a bit, but I will drain the tank and flush it through.<br>
It doesn't matter how good you think you are, you sometimes overlook the basic jobs! <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START >D --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... s/grin.gif ALT=" >D"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br>
What a plonker!!!<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :o --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... rassed.gif ALT=":o"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :o --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... rassed.gif ALT=":o"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :o --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... rassed.gif ALT=":o"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br>
Thanks mate! <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :D --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /happy.gif ALT=":D"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br>
I am interested in the fuel injection route but the cost is prohibitive at the moment.<br>
<br>
Al W

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[Carsreunited]

You should notice a significant difference. Get someone to do a rough 0-60 time in the passenger seat. Should be under 10 even with someone sitting next to you. <br>
<br>
Did you get a look at the cam for any numbers? Do the plugs look OK?<br>
<br>


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[algtj]

No, to be honest Scott I flushed the cooling system, changed the oil and rewired the earth then fired her up!<br>
Probably asking for trouble really! <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :D --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /happy.gif ALT=":D"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END-->

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[Carsreunited]

Rocker cover off is easy enough! Man of your talents! <br>
<br>
Have a look at the plugs when you are doing the compression test. (I can't believe a mechanical muppet like me is giving you advice!)<br>
<br>


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[algtj]

Ha ha ha!!! Come up and drive it when your at Cadwell, I'll get her indoors to take you to it! I'll get a crate for you to sit on!!!! <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :D --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /happy.gif ALT=":D"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :D --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /happy.gif ALT=":D"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :D --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /happy.gif ALT=":D"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br>
The plan was to get her running (achieved) to see what she was like (minimum expenditure) before the transplant.<br>
At the moment, Whilst running smoothly, no smoke, she is a rather dissapointing.<br>
Ill set her up as best I can doing all the listing above and see what happens. <br>
One would have thought with all the natural lightening that has taken place over the years it would have spanked the Asconas ass. <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :D --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /happy.gif ALT=":D"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br>
Fresh fuel etc will probably reveal a rip snorter. Ill let you know next week! <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :lol --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /laugh.gif ALT=":lol"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :o --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... rassed.gif ALT=":o"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :lol --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /laugh.gif ALT=":lol"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END-->

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[ddu]

I too was disapointed when i first took my sprint out..<br>
I put it down to romantic memories of being chucked about in the back seat of my bro's sprint back in the early 80's(no seatbelts then). To a 13 year old boy it realy was the mutt's, and so much cooler than my mates brothers old cortinas etc..<br>
Started out with my first dolly (1500TC) this was my first car after passing my test and cherished it as any boy racer of the time would.It seemed fast at the time,but remember i'd had to stick to the highway code during driving lessons and the inevitible test, and there were no speed cameras in those days..<br>
20 years passed until I got the classic bug and a sprint seemed the only choice, I was expecting fireworks but got pops and farts and an unhealthy sounding cam.<br>
You have to remember that my first memories were of a car that was (at the time) 4 years old, and the one I have now is nearer 30....<br>
most have now had several owners,their fair share of thrashings and probably a general lack of love.<br>
Having now had carbs done,new plugs/points/leads and a bit of tlc its starting to feel like a sprint should...<br>
low down torque,chucks you back in the seat stuff and that feeling you get when your arse end slides out on corners!! steering with the pedal kind of stuff. GREAT<br>
<br>
Percivere! <br>
<br>
It's well worth the effort,<br>
if only to see the faces of the nova/clio brigade as you leave them (and their baseball caps) at the lights!!!!<br>
<br>


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[alun n]

From Jod's passed on description of the bodywork i'll bet you have a cracked bulkhead, the throttle pedal wobbles and you aren't getting full travel on the carbs.

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[Silvery]

Bulkhead talk reminds me. When I stripped the auto 1500 I found there was a bit of a brackety thing on the engine bay side of the throttle fasteners. Didn't look too convincing as a factory fit, but then with it being the last days of production, and good old BL, I can't be sure.<br>
<br>
Would that have been a standard fit on auto cars by any chance, and would it be worth fitting to Dollies in general? I've certainly not spotted it before on these cars, though I've not had as much experience as a lot on here...

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[Jon Tilson]

I remember driving Rob Graingers's auto once...<br>
Boy was it gutless.....had a look...one carb throttle clamp was loose....<br>
One sweet idling but utterly gutless dolly.<br>
Same thing happened to the son when driving the TR7 3 railer...I was following and thought his tendency to stay just under the limit a tad out of character....and the drop to 60 ish on upgrades was defo not him....<br>
Dad its not going as well as it used to....said he later.<br>
5/16 socket is a useful tool...<br>
If it has twin carbs it really needs them both.<br>
<br>
Jonners

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