3.0 V6 Sportronic Performance questions

After 3 weeks of ownership I have come to the conclusion that my 166 should have more grunt, I am pretty sure my MAF needs replacing.

I've seen 0-60 times of 7.1 seconds banded about here and there, mine is closer to 9 or 10 seconds in sport mode, or 12+ in normal auto.

I would expect the 4speed auto to be slower than the 5speed Super but not by that sort of margin.

The engine sounds good but I don't get the roar others talk about. Also it goes all wheezy past 4500rpm and power dissapears.

I've made some enquiries for MAF's and used the search facility here, I've located a genuine Bosch one for about £180 incl P&P.

What do you reckon folks, spend the money and change the MAF?
Does anyone know of any cheaper ones?

Cheers.

sounds like MAF problem....0-60 should be 8.5s with the sportronic..
But wether this figure is in auto or manual, no one knows...

Jamie Porter (Alfa workshop in Royston) changed my 166's MAF and charged £100 for it - I suspect he would use a quality MAF.

I think 7.1 secs is ambitious - nearer to 9 secs is probably reasponable.

the book figure for the sportronic is 8.5 sec, but like already said nobody has any idea what mode that is in, personally there is no way the sportronic does 0-60 in 8.5 in auto but in sport that is about right, in manual i reckon its quicker than that.

at the auto italia event at santa pod a couple of years ago, i did various runs in sport and manual and my quickest times were in manual but allowing the car to change up itself, ok only about quarter of a second quicker but still quicker, i did have a huge hole in my exhaust which will have affected my times but i did get a 15.9 sec 1/4 mile time which i thought was quite good for a big heavy car.

id love to get a sportronic vs super on santa pod, i reckon the sportronic would win having seen a punto beat a 360 because the 360 driver couldnt change gear under pressure i think the sportronic would win.

(btw the punto was just about the quickest car on the day being heavily modded)

With regaurds to the airflow meter Bookmark this company.

Citroen Peugeot Renault spare car parts accessory UK

they occationaly sell bosh Alfa Romeo 2L mafs for £36

they are the same as the V6 maf you just have to swap the housing for the two of them.

Hope that helps

Originally Posted by jabberwocky

the book figure for the sportronic is 8.5 sec, but like already said nobody has any idea what mode that is in, personally there is no way the sportronic does 0-60 in 8.5 in auto but in sport that is about right, in manual i reckon its quicker than that.

at the auto italia event at santa pod a couple of years ago, i did various runs in sport and manual and my quickest times were in manual but allowing the car to change up itself, ok only about quarter of a second quicker but still quicker, i did have a huge hole in my exhaust which will have affected my times but i did get a 15.9 sec 1/4 mile time which i thought was quite good for a big heavy car.

id love to get a sportronic vs super on santa pod, i reckon the sportronic would win having seen a punto beat a 360 because the 360 driver couldnt change gear under pressure i think the sportronic would win.

(btw the punto was just about the quickest car on the day being heavily modded)

I find the hardest thing with the sportronic is getting it off the line as there is no way to raise the revs and then pull off, once moving it is quick it is just getting it going! i think it will do quicker the 15.9, mind you I am used to running in the low 13's with a mk1 escort! As you say though the gear change is crucial, and a lot of people in manuals stuff up changes usually 2nd to 3rd or really badly 1st to 2nd!

You CAN rev and pull-off, when using two feet :-)

Left foot on the brake and right one on the throttle and revving up at around 2500-3000. Works best when you 'know' how the traffic light work and when they will change to green. Practise makes perfect, but when you've got the feeling for it, it helps a lot in a quicker getaway on special occasions.

Off course don't do this as regular behaviour, and don't have the gearbox slipping for too long as this is not the kind of use it was built for.

Tjeerd is right - I used to beat some cars that were supposed to be much faster in the 1.6 Golf I drove before I got the 166.

Haven't tried it in the 166 actually...I get much more pleasure from putting it into sport mode coming onto a freeway and feeling the in-gear acceleration.

Thanks for all your replies, is cleaning the MAF likely to make any difference?

you can try it, but will prob need a new maf.
shop4parts have mafs on offer this month.

Originally Posted by CrispDust

you can try it, but will prob need a new maf.
shop4parts have mafs on offer this month.

Ta very much for the link ,ordered an original Bosch part from them for just under £120 incl VAT and P&P.

Hi,

Let us know if it makes the difference you are looking for

cheers'

from experience change your MAF with a Bosch only replacment ...also at the same time change your lamda sensor .You may want to check ecu for errors ,if errors are present reset and remove power for 20mins and all should be ok

From my experience a new maf changes the figures from 3 days and chugging to around the 10 second mark.

Pomeo

Cant see the logic of the expense of a new Maf shaving off a couple of seconds.


You should know if your Maf is suspect.

Pomeo

Well, I finally got round to changing the MAF and it has made driving a more enjoyable experience, it feels like someone unhooked a caravan .

I haven't reset the ECU yet....should I bother??