Citroen Xantia Activa (2000)
Discussion
Never thought I'd see a Xantia on Reader's Cars!
I've had three of the beggars, an early TD, and two facelifted models - one a TD, the other an HDi. Sold the first two without really getting as much use out of them as I should have, the HDi I ran from 107k to 167k. Always liked that they were a wee bit of an odd choice.
Run a facelifted MkI C5 now, doubt I'll ever see one of those in here! Although I have to say, the ugly dumpiness of the earlier C5s is now starting to grow on me!
I've had three of the beggars, an early TD, and two facelifted models - one a TD, the other an HDi. Sold the first two without really getting as much use out of them as I should have, the HDi I ran from 107k to 167k. Always liked that they were a wee bit of an odd choice.
Run a facelifted MkI C5 now, doubt I'll ever see one of those in here! Although I have to say, the ugly dumpiness of the earlier C5s is now starting to grow on me!
Citman said:
Never thought I'd see a Xantia on Reader's Cars!
I've had three of the beggars, an early TD, and two facelifted models - one a TD, the other an HDi. Sold the first two without really getting as much use out of them as I should have, the HDi I ran from 107k to 167k. Always liked that they were a wee bit of an odd choice.
Run a facelifted MkI C5 now, doubt I'll ever see one of those in here! Although I have to say, the ugly dumpiness of the earlier C5s is now starting to grow on me!
I agree on the C5s but let's keep it between ourselves eh.I've had three of the beggars, an early TD, and two facelifted models - one a TD, the other an HDi. Sold the first two without really getting as much use out of them as I should have, the HDi I ran from 107k to 167k. Always liked that they were a wee bit of an odd choice.
Run a facelifted MkI C5 now, doubt I'll ever see one of those in here! Although I have to say, the ugly dumpiness of the earlier C5s is now starting to grow on me!
- touches nose*
Waugh-terfall said:
I want one. Can the suspension etc be transplanted in to a phase 2 estate? I'm feeling the need to build one after Uni
Not easily, no. Really you'd need a complete Activa and an estate body. You could start with a 2.0CT estate, so at least you don't need to switch engines etc though, but really not worth the hassle IMO.When i finished playing with the boost and bigger turbo i could get a sub 8 second 0-60, which was much improved from the original mid 9 second, not all that impressive.
I did run it at Santa Pod, pre-turbo mod just higher boost but otherwise standard and got a 16.3 @ 84mph, 2.42 60 ft. Could just about get that a 15.9 with a 2.2 60 ft i reckon. Problem i had was the ECU threw a code just 20 miles before Pod and didnt have time to adapt, it was getting faster and faster the more i ran it despite the 60ft time being virtually the same.
For comparison, a stock Activa 1/4 mile is 17.2, a V6 Auto Xantia is 16.9 and a manual V6 Activa (Euro only LHD) is 15.9. There is great potential in the engine but the stock turbo is tiny (it was only a low-blow set up designed with minimal lag) and the ECU really holds it back, plus a low 8-1 comp ratio.
I did run it at Santa Pod, pre-turbo mod just higher boost but otherwise standard and got a 16.3 @ 84mph, 2.42 60 ft. Could just about get that a 15.9 with a 2.2 60 ft i reckon. Problem i had was the ECU threw a code just 20 miles before Pod and didnt have time to adapt, it was getting faster and faster the more i ran it despite the 60ft time being virtually the same.
For comparison, a stock Activa 1/4 mile is 17.2, a V6 Auto Xantia is 16.9 and a manual V6 Activa (Euro only LHD) is 15.9. There is great potential in the engine but the stock turbo is tiny (it was only a low-blow set up designed with minimal lag) and the ECU really holds it back, plus a low 8-1 comp ratio.
Kidders said:
When i finished playing with the boost and bigger turbo i could get a sub 8 second 0-60, which was much improved from the original mid 9 second, not all that impressive.
I did run it at Santa Pod, pre-turbo mod just higher boost but otherwise standard and got a 16.3 @ 84mph, 2.42 60 ft. Could just about get that a 15.9 with a 2.2 60 ft i reckon. Problem i had was the ECU threw a code just 20 miles before Pod and didnt have time to adapt, it was getting faster and faster the more i ran it despite the 60ft time being virtually the same.
For comparison, a stock Activa 1/4 mile is 17.2, a V6 Auto Xantia is 16.9 and a manual V6 Activa (Euro only LHD) is 15.9. There is great potential in the engine but the stock turbo is tiny (it was only a low-blow set up designed with minimal lag) and the ECU really holds it back, plus a low 8-1 comp ratio.
Sounds about right. My mate's Activa with tweaked boost and some Iridium plugs ran a 16.29sec 1/4 mile a few years back. IIRC it was the gear ratios and rev band which crippled it, being geared for cruising rather than sprinting (it is a diesel gearbox afterall). Plus the fact it takes quite a bit to get 1450kg shifting from a standstill. I was in a BX 16v and was expecting to have a close run, but the BX pulled a 15.7 on the first go and would have been quicker if I could launch it! It wasn't even close.I did run it at Santa Pod, pre-turbo mod just higher boost but otherwise standard and got a 16.3 @ 84mph, 2.42 60 ft. Could just about get that a 15.9 with a 2.2 60 ft i reckon. Problem i had was the ECU threw a code just 20 miles before Pod and didnt have time to adapt, it was getting faster and faster the more i ran it despite the 60ft time being virtually the same.
For comparison, a stock Activa 1/4 mile is 17.2, a V6 Auto Xantia is 16.9 and a manual V6 Activa (Euro only LHD) is 15.9. There is great potential in the engine but the stock turbo is tiny (it was only a low-blow set up designed with minimal lag) and the ECU really holds it back, plus a low 8-1 comp ratio.
Problem as I understand it with the 2.0 8v is the restrictive valve area in the head. Even the highest tuned lumps struggle to better 220bhp. It's such a basic engine, it's the opposite of their hot 16v lumps.
Now fit a 16v head from a ZX 16v or Xsara VTS perhaps.....now that would be something. T16 spec Activa anyone? It'd be the engine it always should have had!
Kitchski said:
Kidders said:
When i finished playing with the boost and bigger turbo i could get a sub 8 second 0-60, which was much improved from the original mid 9 second, not all that impressive.
I did run it at Santa Pod, pre-turbo mod just higher boost but otherwise standard and got a 16.3 @ 84mph, 2.42 60 ft. Could just about get that a 15.9 with a 2.2 60 ft i reckon. Problem i had was the ECU threw a code just 20 miles before Pod and didnt have time to adapt, it was getting faster and faster the more i ran it despite the 60ft time being virtually the same.
For comparison, a stock Activa 1/4 mile is 17.2, a V6 Auto Xantia is 16.9 and a manual V6 Activa (Euro only LHD) is 15.9. There is great potential in the engine but the stock turbo is tiny (it was only a low-blow set up designed with minimal lag) and the ECU really holds it back, plus a low 8-1 comp ratio.
Sounds about right. My mate's Activa with tweaked boost and some Iridium plugs ran a 16.29sec 1/4 mile a few years back. IIRC it was the gear ratios and rev band which crippled it, being geared for cruising rather than sprinting (it is a diesel gearbox afterall). Plus the fact it takes quite a bit to get 1450kg shifting from a standstill. I was in a BX 16v and was expecting to have a close run, but the BX pulled a 15.7 on the first go and would have been quicker if I could launch it! It wasn't even close.I did run it at Santa Pod, pre-turbo mod just higher boost but otherwise standard and got a 16.3 @ 84mph, 2.42 60 ft. Could just about get that a 15.9 with a 2.2 60 ft i reckon. Problem i had was the ECU threw a code just 20 miles before Pod and didnt have time to adapt, it was getting faster and faster the more i ran it despite the 60ft time being virtually the same.
For comparison, a stock Activa 1/4 mile is 17.2, a V6 Auto Xantia is 16.9 and a manual V6 Activa (Euro only LHD) is 15.9. There is great potential in the engine but the stock turbo is tiny (it was only a low-blow set up designed with minimal lag) and the ECU really holds it back, plus a low 8-1 comp ratio.
Problem as I understand it with the 2.0 8v is the restrictive valve area in the head. Even the highest tuned lumps struggle to better 220bhp. It's such a basic engine, it's the opposite of their hot 16v lumps.
Now fit a 16v head from a ZX 16v or Xsara VTS perhaps.....now that would be something. T16 spec Activa anyone? It'd be the engine it always should have had!
The valve area is just fine on the head, some porting work would be good, but the main issue is the turbo and manifold, the low compression ratio and the ECU. Someone on FCF had no problems getting 260bhp out of one without touching the cylinder head, just a bigger turbo, intercooler, 2.5-3in exhaust bigger injectors, and aftermarket management. It was quite a high mileage lump too.
It just depends where you want to go with it. On my grey one, it was my only car and i didnt want to play with it too much in case something went wrong. Now, i have the Mondeo for that, so an Activa can be a toy.
If i had a bit of cash, i would be tidying the head up, fitting forged pistons with a higher compression ratio, taking it closer to 9-1. Full aftermarket management. T3 style turbo with a 60 trim wheel, decat, 3 inch exhaust, massive intercooler and around 18psi of boost. Done right, you could be knocking on the door of 300bhp and matching torque. An alternative to raising the compression could be skimming the head, keeping the original pistons as they are quite strong.
Too many people assume its a power engine because of the low output but it was never designed for bhp, it was meant for flat torque curve, ideal for a bigger car and towing. Its an 86x86mm square engine with a cast iron block and simple construction ready for some serious boost, regardless of how many valves it has, i quite like it as it remind me of my Maestro Turbo engine which had good bhp but also proper torque to match, which made a very fast road car.
Kidders said:
Kitchski said:
Kidders said:
When i finished playing with the boost and bigger turbo i could get a sub 8 second 0-60, which was much improved from the original mid 9 second, not all that impressive.
I did run it at Santa Pod, pre-turbo mod just higher boost but otherwise standard and got a 16.3 @ 84mph, 2.42 60 ft. Could just about get that a 15.9 with a 2.2 60 ft i reckon. Problem i had was the ECU threw a code just 20 miles before Pod and didnt have time to adapt, it was getting faster and faster the more i ran it despite the 60ft time being virtually the same.
For comparison, a stock Activa 1/4 mile is 17.2, a V6 Auto Xantia is 16.9 and a manual V6 Activa (Euro only LHD) is 15.9. There is great potential in the engine but the stock turbo is tiny (it was only a low-blow set up designed with minimal lag) and the ECU really holds it back, plus a low 8-1 comp ratio.
Sounds about right. My mate's Activa with tweaked boost and some Iridium plugs ran a 16.29sec 1/4 mile a few years back. IIRC it was the gear ratios and rev band which crippled it, being geared for cruising rather than sprinting (it is a diesel gearbox afterall). Plus the fact it takes quite a bit to get 1450kg shifting from a standstill. I was in a BX 16v and was expecting to have a close run, but the BX pulled a 15.7 on the first go and would have been quicker if I could launch it! It wasn't even close.I did run it at Santa Pod, pre-turbo mod just higher boost but otherwise standard and got a 16.3 @ 84mph, 2.42 60 ft. Could just about get that a 15.9 with a 2.2 60 ft i reckon. Problem i had was the ECU threw a code just 20 miles before Pod and didnt have time to adapt, it was getting faster and faster the more i ran it despite the 60ft time being virtually the same.
For comparison, a stock Activa 1/4 mile is 17.2, a V6 Auto Xantia is 16.9 and a manual V6 Activa (Euro only LHD) is 15.9. There is great potential in the engine but the stock turbo is tiny (it was only a low-blow set up designed with minimal lag) and the ECU really holds it back, plus a low 8-1 comp ratio.
Problem as I understand it with the 2.0 8v is the restrictive valve area in the head. Even the highest tuned lumps struggle to better 220bhp. It's such a basic engine, it's the opposite of their hot 16v lumps.
Now fit a 16v head from a ZX 16v or Xsara VTS perhaps.....now that would be something. T16 spec Activa anyone? It'd be the engine it always should have had!
The valve area is just fine on the head, some porting work would be good, but the main issue is the turbo and manifold, the low compression ratio and the ECU. Someone on FCF had no problems getting 260bhp out of one without touching the cylinder head, just a bigger turbo, intercooler, 2.5-3in exhaust bigger injectors, and aftermarket management. It was quite a high mileage lump too.
It just depends where you want to go with it. On my grey one, it was my only car and i didnt want to play with it too much in case something went wrong. Now, i have the Mondeo for that, so an Activa can be a toy.
If i had a bit of cash, i would be tidying the head up, fitting forged pistons with a higher compression ratio, taking it closer to 9-1. Full aftermarket management. T3 style turbo with a 60 trim wheel, decat, 3 inch exhaust, massive intercooler and around 18psi of boost. Done right, you could be knocking on the door of 300bhp and matching torque. An alternative to raising the compression could be skimming the head, keeping the original pistons as they are quite strong.
Too many people assume its a power engine because of the low output but it was never designed for bhp, it was meant for flat torque curve, ideal for a bigger car and towing. Its an 86x86mm square engine with a cast iron block and simple construction ready for some serious boost, regardless of how many valves it has, i quite like it as it remind me of my Maestro Turbo engine which had good bhp but also proper torque to match, which made a very fast road car.
I used to have one of these (I am mentioned above running 15.7 1/4)
Cracking car. Mine was a shed when I got it, but I put lots of effort into it and have a very nice car in the end. I took it down to the Alps twice when I worked winter seasons. It was briliant fun on the mountain roads, and the turbo engine was perfect for passing cars as we climbed. I also had the cambelt jump whilst there, and had it fixed in a Citroen dealership in France. They really love there Activa's and even fixed a leaking ram for free.
I eventually sold it with 147k to buy a 300zx. It was scrapped shortly afterwards.
Cracking car. Mine was a shed when I got it, but I put lots of effort into it and have a very nice car in the end. I took it down to the Alps twice when I worked winter seasons. It was briliant fun on the mountain roads, and the turbo engine was perfect for passing cars as we climbed. I also had the cambelt jump whilst there, and had it fixed in a Citroen dealership in France. They really love there Activa's and even fixed a leaking ram for free.
I eventually sold it with 147k to buy a 300zx. It was scrapped shortly afterwards.
Lovely looking car, i had a green one for two weeks.
Very early car, no air con, dark headling, different stalks etc. I saved it that time round from the side of the road, gave it a quick spruce up and passed it onto an 'enthusiast', who has really stuggled to keep on top of it.
Progress on my new silver one has been slow, but getting there. Its a puig trying to remove the exhaust manifold with turbo insitu, just to replace a gasket. Not impossible though, only 4 more bolts to remove and a few swear words and its off!
Very early car, no air con, dark headling, different stalks etc. I saved it that time round from the side of the road, gave it a quick spruce up and passed it onto an 'enthusiast', who has really stuggled to keep on top of it.
Progress on my new silver one has been slow, but getting there. Its a puig trying to remove the exhaust manifold with turbo insitu, just to replace a gasket. Not impossible though, only 4 more bolts to remove and a few swear words and its off!
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