questions? for a 99 t reg

[thefishingbear]

i know you will all be able to help me out.
i have a 99 t reg tranny luton.
the engines brilliant other than its only a 75ps, starts on the button, goes, never ever lets me down etc etc,
BUT it drives me crazy because its soooooooooo slow on moterways and distances.
she flew through the mot, shes only done 126,000 well looked after miles, but i do have some niggles,
1. 3 part prop is whinning, rear part is the culprit i have been told.. I NEED ONE, ANYONE KNOW OF ONE?
2. if i wanted to upgrade the engine to a 90/120ps what would it take, is it possible infact, or is it just not worth it, i do mainly short journeys.
3. front seat, drivers, mine has had it and is somewhat uncomfortable, I NEED ONE.
I AM SURE YOU LADS AND LASSES MUST KNOW THE BEST ADVICE.

[tas]

Hi there.

With regards the engine swap, all possible I believe but it's a Luton, never going to be a racing car by any means.

When you say slow, how slow?. 50mph?. When all said and done, you are trying to propel a big square, very un-aerodynamic box with possibly a good weight on it too!
I have a couple of Tippers, to all intents and purpose, the same set up minus the Box body. At 60mph, the very quickest they go, they sound like a Boeing 747 with reverse thrust on!.

You are foregoing speed but compensating with a very good volumetric loading capability for a very good initial cost, it then becomes a cost versus practicality issue and the cost will nearly always win.

Having said that, I have seen Mk6/mk7 Lutons fly past me but they are saddled with a much more advanced engine set-up and a much bigger PITA when things go wrong and are needed to be replaced.

The Drivers seat is an age old problem, so is finding a good one. I have seen on here people adapt Mondeo ones to fit, possibly more comfy too but it depends on your ability to tinker and adapt things.

Just my tuppence worth...Cheers Steve-Tas

[madmark_50484]

yeap 76ps nana engine same as mine they are slow regards to engine change you would be better off with a 100ps turbo DI would make an easy change

Like TAS said you are never going to get land speed record on them I have driven a mk6 luton it was a fair bit quicker empty but when you fill it up it was about as slow as a mk5

I have had 70 out of mine but that was screaming I normally stick to 50 - 60 for economy reasons

[winterheating]

yeap 76ps nana engine same as mine they are slow regards to engine change you would be better off with a 100ps turbo DI would make an easy change

Like TAS said you are never going to get land speed record on them I have driven a mk6 luton it was a fair bit quicker empty but when you fill it up it was about as slow as a mk5
I have had 70 out of mine but that was screaming I normally stick to 50 - 60 for economy reasons

think you must have left the handbrake on

was it a FWD luton

[madmark_50484]

yeap 76ps nana engine same as mine they are slow regards to engine change you would be better off with a 100ps turbo DI would make an easy change

Like TAS said you are never going to get land speed record on them I have driven a mk6 luton it was a fair bit quicker empty but when you fill it up it was about as slow as a mk5
I have had 70 out of mine but that was screaming I normally stick to 50 - 60 for economy reasons

think you must have left the handbrake on

was it a FWD luton

Nope handbrake off RWD it prob was full tho it may have been marginally quicker but not enough to hit home about I do admit empty I had a fezzy off the lights but full it was get out and push

[madmark_50484]

Here is my review of the hire van I drove viewtopic.php?f=14&t=50846&hilit=go+in+a+mk6

[MinorMatt]

Like already said its never going to set any land records.

There are no 90/120 PS engines for this type of van, the (UK) options were 70, 76, 85, 100 and the very rare 115PS.

Your best bet is to get a turbo engine and put it in using a bosch injection pump (you could use the one you have now).

[trevor3839]

I have both MK5 & Mk 7 Lutons and yes the Mk5 is slow.. 60mph ish til you hit a hill( or slope even) The MK7 80mph+ even loaded with the aero body fitted.
I love the Mk5 though not for what it won't do but for what it does..earns money and costs nothing to run and no headaches when it needs a few parts.
I would save the money towards your next van & learn to love your slow but reliable MK5.. just an opinion..

[thefishingbear]

sensible and knowledgable answers as i expected.
so many thanks all..

[Carltina]

I also have a 99T reg 76ps luton and it's just as slow as yours. I moaned about it quite a bit but you get used to it esp once it earns money.
I've been adding 2 stroke oil (search the thread on it) which after 2 tanks of nothing, has now kicked in on the third tank and makes the van very slightly quicker, moderately quieter and noticeably more economical- gone from 20mpg to 23mpg, 15%.

If like mine yours has a flat fronted luton head, maybe you could have it cut back to about 45-50 degrees at a truck bodies place. I've been quoted £270 or £350 with respray. I'm leaving it till more important things like a clutch are done. I expect it makes little difference on hills as the torque is very low but should help on level ground, maybe another 7-10mph perhaps? You'd only lose about 5% load volume. Mine has a 4 ft head so the overhang above the windscreen means even more resistance.

Also, read the thread, how to get the power up DI.

But as others have said, by nature it will never be fast. I do sympathize though. I'm a slow driver but I do wish mine would hold a constant 60mph which it only does on level ground with no head winds.