1.9 vs 1.6 TD fuel economy

[bvolks73]

I was getting ready to put a 1.6 TD into my old Jetta when I picked up a 1994 Jetta with the 1.9 for parts. Which one would be better (fuel economy/ reliability)? They both have around 350,000 kms on them.

[R.O.R-2.0]

the mk1/2 with the 1.6 will get better mileage.

its a lighter car with a smaller engine..

[8v-of-fury]

The mk1/2 with the 1.9AAZ will get the same as a 1.6MF. Light car, less work required on engine.

[R.O.R-2.0]

The mk1/2 with the 1.9AAZ will get the same as a 1.6MF. Light car, less work required on engine.

i dont see how thats possible.. thats like saying a corvette with a big block, and a corvette with an inline 6 should get the same mileage..

yes, on paper they should, but its never that good in life. IDK of any AAZ that gets 50+ mpg. could be wrong..

[RabbitJockey]

its true they are probably about the same, i've heard many friends say that when they owned similar trucks with larger more powerful engines they got better mileage because the engine doesn't have to work as hard.  you're in the shorter gears like 1-2-3-4 a lot less and in the higher gears sooner.  and i think this could be especially true on a diesel, since there is no specific a/f ratio to meet (yeah yeah i know gasser operate under vacuum)  but i think the displacement matters less because u need a certain amount of fuel for a certain amount of power, u don't need to meet a certain volume of airs worth of fuel.

[8v-of-fury]

Tru Dat Trev.

I've seen people with mk3 aaz's pushing 50 mpg, the same as a 1.6 na, and 1.6td in an mk1 or mk2.

I agree with you %100 the big block chev and the I6 should be similar fuel consumption assuming similar driving conditions, habits, and cars. Big carbs only use a lot of fuel when your foot is down and those butter flies are open. The 4 barrels are only open near and at WOT, so the smaller barrels feed the engine with cruising and such. I feel the big V8 could torque its way through every gear and never need to go over 23-2450 rpm's.. Where the 6 might need to rev it up a bit and open those butterflies

BUT YES, I totally feel a 1.9 IDI TD in an mk1/2 will return you the same 50mpg