throttle modulation

[Hdriven]

Hello guys!!!

I have a bit of a weird question...  On my mk1 1.6 na it seems like when im cruising on the highway, I have the fuel pedal pressed down like 75%.  I usually cruise at like 60-65 mph but its so damn weird that the pedal is pressed almost all the way down.  Anyways, I was wondering if other peoples cars are the same way?  Do you find yourself pressing the gas pedal down almost all the way while cruising on the highway?

I know this is kinda of a weird question, but every other car I have driven I am able to stay part throttle while cruising on the highway. 

Anywho, thanks guys!!!!

[vanbcguy]

What RPM are you cruising at?

[RunninWild]

1.6's arn't exactly known for speed. I wouldnt worry too much. My 1.3l samurai engine needs full throttle all the time on the highway just to try and keep up with traffic...

If you think something is off you can have someone press the gas pedal to the floor when looking in the engine bay and see if the injection pump throttle arm is pulled tight.

[Hdriven]

I don't have a tachometer so I don't know the rpm. It's a 5 speed transmission so the rpm'is aren't  super high.  I have checked to make sure I'm getting full range of motion on the throttle and I am.

More than anything I just wanted to make sure it was "normal" for this little engine to need a lot of pedal input to stay at cruising speeds.

[vanbcguy]

A 5 speed for a gasser will put the engine RPMs close to where the governor starts pulling off fuel at modern highway speeds, which would make you have to press the pedal quite far to keep things going. The transmission code is stamped on the bottom. Oh or the Ecodiesel trans, that's basically geared for 55 mph maximum expected speed.

Is your engine pretty loud at highway speed?

[air-cooled or diesel]

i dont remember if my mk1's were geared like the mk2's i have; in the 2's the trans is set to run @55mph, so 60 or more mph is quite a bit. in my mk2 @60mph i have 1/2 throttle or more.

[Hdriven]

Thats interesting that the transmission is basically geared for 55 mph.  My engine is not overly loud while cruising at 65 but it does sound better at around 55mph.  I guess that explains my fuel consumption.   Im going to drive 55 and see if my fuel economy goes up and ill see how far im pressing the pedal to maintain 55.

 Out of curiosity is there a transmission swap that is capable of easy cruising at 65???  Its probably not even worth swapping the transmission because of the lack of power, but just just for my fyi.

[vanbcguy]

Yep, there's quite a few transmissions that have friendlier ranges. 

Here's a chart showing all the different ones:

http://www.a2resource.com/eandt/ratios.html

I had a CHD in my car for a long time with my 1.6 turbo.  Great highway transmission.  Check what your current one is though, it's pretty easy to see if you can get under the car.

[air-cooled or diesel]

i dont remember if the ole mk1's with an 'E' on the shifter or 5th gear were geared the same as the mk2s if come across. i dont have a tach so ive never seen the rpm, i had seen from someone else it is about 2400rpm@55mph. you ll find substantial fuel mileage keeping it right around 55. at that time; back then; they never foresaw a time when the speed limit would go over 55. so were stuck with that if we cannt swap out trans.