Time for a TDI?

2007-06-18T16:55:00.000-07:00

So I've been think maybe it's time I trade in the VR6 and get a TDI. The more research I do the more I see that I can get the same or more hp/torque as the VR6 with much better MPG. New chip, injectors, bigger turbo, and the list goes on. I won't even be thinking about this if I didn't have a dream about getting a TDI. Yet my dream was weird because it was a white Audi TDI and I was driving it around in what I though was downtown Seattle. As I was explaining this dream to a friend of mine it hit me that I was driving it in some city in Europe.

I'm not really sure what that's all about but I'm starting to think if I could get my hands on mk3 or a 2003 or later Mk4 TDI I think it might be worth the trade in. Let me honest at this point there is not a lot I can do to my VR6 right now unless I go turbo or SC... but I really do want put in all the hours installing and tuning it. I'm starting to want something that a little easier to upgrade such as a 1.8T or TDI. Having the factory turbo make things a lot easier to start from.

... I guess we will see.

Sudden Increase in MPG

2007-05-11T16:50:00.000-07:00

I normally always go to Cheveron but a couple of weeks ago I decided to go to 76 for a fill up. Well it was more a accident since 76 has bought out that particular station... Anyway, a week later after my fill up I've got 280 miles on this tank and the gas light just came on. In the end if I drove around to empty I would have likely would have gotten 320-330 miles to the tank. Previous weeks I was lucky to get 270 miles to tank...

I know it's getting warmer out as it gets closer to summer, but here near Seattle there has been pretty constant temps the past month or so. In addition I haven't done anything to my car to really cause a sudden increase in gas mileage. Same driving style and everything....

Well now I'm on my second tankful from 76 and again noticing much improved MPG. I'm starting to think that Chevron's gas was giving my poor MPG. Before this sudden increase I was tempted to get a new O2 sensors and Coilpack but that looks to be unnecessary now...

**Lastest Update**
I was installing spark plugs on my little brothers VR6 and decided to take out my and give them a look while I was at it. They are only a year old but comparing them to the new plugs I just install in my brothers a little cleaning was due. Now honestly I'm not sure if these is a bad idea or a good one but thinking logically it seems good for me. So I got some carb cleaner and filled up a cup of it. I then put all of my spark plug into the cup there stirred it around and let them sit for about 15 mins. Since carb cleaners is made to remove carbon I didn't see any reason they couldn't be used on my spark plugs. After the 15 mins I let them dry out. I then took some steel wool and got any of the remain crap the was on the spark plugs. Finally I took compress air and mad sure then was nothing on the end of the spark plugs. Install them back in my car and let my car idle for 10 mins. Knowing that the plugs are like go to produce a better spark since they were cleaned letting the car idle for 10mins would allow the car made any necessary fuel management adjustment to adapt to the better spark. Ok now the good stuff.. So I went on a 150 mile drive over the weeked and was seeing my gauges showing 27-29 mpg. Almost a week later I finally need to get gas...Put in 14.2 gallons of premium from shell. I was really surprise to see my total tank showing over 350 miles. Lets keep in mind that was a pretty good 50/50 mix of city highway driving. I've just never since my car get that many miles on one tank with mix driving. I was averaging 25mpg for that tank! So giving you spark plugs a good cleaning could be very helpful and much cheaper then brand new ones... Yet I'll likely get know one in the next 3 or 4 months just to be safe.

MyVR6.org Blog

Time for a TDI?

Sudden Increase in MPG