160sr seems slow off the mark ?

Hello,

I get feeling that my 160sr is a bit slow off the mark, particularly in 1st gear, and to some degree in 2nd. No probs once it gets up to 25mph. It's done 37k mileage, and its very quiet sounding.

Changed plugs, coils, cleaned mass air flow meter, fitted a kandn filter.

Any ideas please.

Car seems to have bags of torque, and flies from 30mph onwards.

Due to mileage, could be original exhaust. For first 12 years, mileage was only 2k per year. Could exhaust be coked up?

Thanks.

First thing to check is the air filter, if it’s been changed recently and the difference is after that change then get another filter.

The first gear is quite short on the 160SR and so it seems my 1.4 Sport. Once I get out on the motorway the pull in 5th gear between 60 and 80 is great for this car.

What petrol do you use? As in from where and the posh stuff or regular variety?

Micratec said:

What petrol do you use? As in from where and the posh stuff or regular variety?

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Yes, did the air filter, it's a new one.

Use 95 octane petrol, 97 would be a waste/detrimental.

Once it hits 25 to 30mph, takes off. Does 100mph easily.

Reason I think theres an issue, was behind a base model micra, and it pulled away much more crisplyquickly than mine. Perhaps I just have to use higher revs.

Am getting a stainless back end and middle exhaust, see if that makes a difference.

And have you noticed this since you changed the air filter?

No, was like it since I bought the car 4 months ago.

For cars size, and a 1.6, think it's a little slow initially. It has bags of mid and top end torque. Changed air filter, 2 oil changes, plugs, coils, and cleaned out inlet manifold that was badly gummed up with petrol varnish/resin. Going to clean throttle body with carb cleaner.

From others posts on here, gather a sports exhaust and increasing air intake helps with approx addition 10 bhp.

Once I've done the above, will take it for a dyno, to check everything.

Place I'm taking it to for sports exhaust, has a mechanic there that used to have a micra, and posts on here.

Get feeling the 1.6 engine is built for torque, rather than initial zippiness.

It could be my driving style.

Will get there eventually.

Actually I do recall my/this 160 SR very very low miles, fresh mint condition was also quite breathless in 1st gear past 3000rpm but as you say once you shift up in the box and the revs drop the pull was fairly decent, not E92 M3 levels of pull but so much more fun in my opinion, in a Micra it's like a riot of noise and the sense of every bump throwing you around, in the M3 it did throw you back in your seat and hold you there if you floored it but it delivered it with such finesse and grace that it felt almost sterile. Personally I think the performance gains are modest in context of the money you'll spend making those modifications for what may only be a slightly faster real world feel, have you considered a mild remap?

Forgot to mention I use Shell V-Power petrol at 99 RON I think, I can certainly distinguish between it and the normal Shell or Esso, not much difference between the Shell V-Power and Esso Synergy, this is especially evident on a long run at motorway speeds, although I have noticed the higher octane fuel does much the hydraulic tappets noisier at idle when I notice the most.

Micratec said:

Forgot to mention I use Shell V-Power petrol at 99 RON I think, I can certainly distinguish between it and the normal Shell or Esso, not much difference between the Shell V-Power and Esso Synergy, this is especially evident on a long run at motorway speeds, although I have noticed the higher octane fuel does much the hydraulic tappets noisier at idle when I notice the most.

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I listen to an old timer on you tube for lots of info, scotty kilmer. Tells things as they are. He advises not to use high octane fuel, unless manufacturer states it as a requirement.

I'll do the exhaust, get in Dyno'd, and see how it's running. Might have some head tuning.

Spoke to a couple of mechanics, they said not to bother with a remap, as no turbo. Couldnt find anyone to do it anyway.

Intend getting a bluetooth cd player from an micra 06 onwards, keep it standard.

Interested in seeing what yours turns out like with eibach sports. Will look great, but dont know about ride.

Traditional wisdom does indeed say that about high octane fuel, the only caveat to what the wisdom says is that the manufacturer will only state the lowest minimum required octane rating a car will run on, given we only have two types of fuel these days that choice is obvious, my car runs perfectly acceptable on the lower octane stuff it just feels a bit more peppy on the higher stuff.

Yes remaps for non turbo petrol cars are scarce.

I too am excited to get the car lowered, will be done in the next few weeks when my mechanic is available and won't mind me hanging around asking hundreds of questions ha ha.

Lastly regards the radio, if you mean you are gonna upgrade to the 2008-2010 6 disc cd changer with bluetooth as per the photo you'll need the later radio surround/air vent panel because the aperture sizes are different (I have one if you want it) and a microphone for the handsfree bluetooth telephone function if you intend to use it.

PS: And an Auxiliary socket, to plug your phone into for music, I also have one of those if you want it, (no loom though) because that audio unit doesn't have music streaming capability.

check your performance figures against the manufacturers to see if you have a genuine problem:
/www.automobile-catalog.com/car/2008/2199380/nissan_micra_160sr.html

As with all cars previously owned with low mileage and mine was the same, you will have to start with a decent additive to run through the system, then build up the engine stresses slowly over a long run this will blow out many problems, also frequent oil changes will help to flush any gunk present in the system. A good octane booster will help the engine if it feels a little sluggish.

The 1.2 is definitely nippy off the line.