sigibbons
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Registered: 10th Feb 04
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I have just started part time uni one day a week, the uni is 90 miles away mostly motorway.
My Mk4 Astra van isn't too good at crusing long distances, its noisy, uncomfortable and worst of all sounds like its screaming at 80mph!
What things can i do to make it a better motorway cruiser?
I was thinking about bigger wheels, 16" with big tyres to increase the diameter and thus reducing the revs at a given speed.
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DannyB
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Registered: 6th Feb 08
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alan-g-w
Member
Registered: 9th Nov 07
Location: Glasgow
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If that's your reasoning why not put 22's on?
I don't think making the wheels a couple of inches bigger would make such a difference that you'd notice. I could be wrong though.
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pow
Premium Member
Registered: 11th Sep 06
Location: Hazlemere, Buckinghamshire
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smaller wheels with bigger tyres, carpet/insulate all bare panels and behind the door cards
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DannyB
Premium Member
Registered: 6th Feb 08
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Bigger wheels with small profile tyres would make it more bumpy, which would bring more noise, I doubt 16'' would do much damage mind. Rip the interior out and sound proof it if it's annoying you that much 
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Mike
Organiser: North West and North Wales
Premium Member
Registered: 20th May 06
Location: nr. Skipton, North Yorkshire
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Come and do a 90 mile motorway journey in my Corsa, when you get back in the Astravan you'll wonder what you was complaining about 
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cheekyalex
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Registered: 5th Jan 06
Location: liverpool
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travel at 70 instead of 80?
what engine/gearbox you running? if its a pertrol engine then you could fit a wide ratio box off a diesel, i done this with my 1.4 corsa and used to sit at less than 3k rpm at 70.
another way to reduce road noise is to soundproof your car, with something like dynamat or using cheaper alternatives( like roof flashing tape) this made a huge difference to my old car.
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deano87
Member
Registered: 21st Oct 06
Location: Bedfordshire Drives: Ford Fiesta
User status: Offline
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An easy fix is to sit at 60mph.
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pow
Premium Member
Registered: 11th Sep 06
Location: Hazlemere, Buckinghamshire
User status: Offline
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quote:
Originally posted by deano87
An easy fix is to sit at 60mph.
For whatever reason, I just cannot do that!
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sigibbons
Member
Registered: 10th Feb 04
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Ok Thanks for the suggestions chaps!
Sound proofing i have under control! Going with an MDF bulkhead as they cut most of the noise out.
Its really just the issue of possibly lowering the revs at a given speed so as to stop it revving so high and souding like its screaming!
I have 185/60/14 on it at the moment and i was thinking of fitting light weight 16s with 205/65/16 rubber.
It is a diesel, 1.7td, y17dt.
Possibly going to slap some nice comfy seats in it.
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deano87
Member
Registered: 21st Oct 06
Location: Bedfordshire Drives: Ford Fiesta
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quote:
Originally posted by pow
quote:
Originally posted by deano87
An easy fix is to sit at 60mph.
For whatever reason, I just cannot do that!
I drive my car daily now for work. I'm slowly but surely get irritated and fucked off with it  but the 12v sounds mighty knocky if I do a lot of 70-80mph driving when I next start up and it's cold.
Roll on new car in spring time.
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dannymccann
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Registered: 9th Aug 06
Location: Doddington, Lincolnshire
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My 2.0DTi sits at about 2500rpm at 70mph on the motorway, can barely hear it tbh, cant imagine the 1.7 is that bad, especially as it might already be long geared for economy on a van? Are yo sure there isnt actually something wrong with it thats causing it to be so loud?
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corsadonk
Premium Member
Registered: 4th Jul 09
Location: Marlborough, Wiltshire
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Wimp
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sigibbons
Member
Registered: 10th Feb 04
User status: Offline
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It will sit at 3k @ 78mph (indicated). It just doesnt sound nice, nothing wrong with it.
It would be nice to have a little more if needed because at 80+ its a real screamer!
I love my BMW's, if only they did a van! 330d van! Awsome.
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Wrighty
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Registered: 28th Feb 04
Location: Howden
User status: Offline
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do 70 as per speed limit and you know the volume button on your stereo? turn it up
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sand-eel
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Registered: 15th Mar 07
Location: carluke/braidwood--IRNBRULAND
User status: Offline
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If you fit wider tyres, you will get more road noise.
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pow
Premium Member
Registered: 11th Sep 06
Location: Hazlemere, Buckinghamshire
User status: Offline
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quote:
Originally posted by deano87
quote:
Originally posted by pow
quote:
Originally posted by deano87
An easy fix is to sit at 60mph.
For whatever reason, I just cannot do that!
I drive my car daily now for work. I'm slowly but surely get irritated and fucked off with it but the 12v sounds mighty knocky if I do a lot of 70-80mph driving when I next start up and it's cold.
Roll on new car in spring time.
It'll be reet, just chuck it along at 70.
I'm beginning to love the Mito, 75ish on the speedo, set the cruise and 
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