Deltic's GTi Blog

Tell us about life with your BX, or indeed life in general!
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Jaba
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Re: Deltic's GTi Blog

Post by Jaba »

I agree that compared to modern cars the BX is noisier. But not unacceptably so for me anyway. Exhaust resonance can be a problem and I have found that it is complete chance whether or not when you change a component it will be magically quieter. For example I had to change the rear silencer when in France a few years back after it dropped off. That new silencer was simply very noisy at all speeds. I swapped it out with a spare when back home in UK to return to normal noise levels.
Then the internal baffles in the intermediate box came loose and could be heard rattling and this increased noise levels a lot at speed until replaced.
But then a couple of years back I changed the front down pipe and silencer with one I ordered from Germany of an unknown make. This transformed the noise levels in a very noticeable way. So much so that when I did a trip to Consett in the NE in September I was aware that my BX was probably quieter than it has ever been.
There are two further things I do or have done to mitigate noise at speed: Change the 5th gear ratio to reduce revs at that critical 70 - 80mph level. Instal a decent sound system and play your favourite music LOUD to drown out everything else. That will bring you peace of mind at least.
The Joy of BX with just one Citroën BX to my name now. Will I sing Bye Bye to my GTI or will it be Till death us do part.
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deltic
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Re: Deltic's GTi Blog

Post by deltic »

Odd, I rarely play music these days whilst driving, but the current radio is something else that needs binning...

Back to tyres I've also used Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance tyres which have a high wet grip rating.

The bills are mounting!
1991 BX GTi auto, grey, 137,000 miles (2015, 2017 & 2019 Citroen Classic Challenge veteran)
1991 BX GTi auto, grey, 92,000 miles (2022 Citroen Classic Challenge veteran)
2006 C4 VTR+ 2.0 Coupé, silver, 78,000 miles (RIP)
2016 Volvo V40 T2 R-Design Pro, blue, 24,000 miles
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panky
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Re: Deltic's GTi Blog

Post by panky »

Way back in history I traded in a Sierra 1.6 for my GTi. Even though it was a long time ago I remember how smooth and quiet (unless thrashed) it was compared to the Ford, I guess compared with cars of the same era the BX was fine but with more modern vehicles it falls behind somewhat. My mate had a brand new mk1 Mondeo turbo diesel at the time and even that seemed to be more refined than my BX :(
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white exec
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Re: Deltic's GTi Blog

Post by white exec »

Agree - the noise from BX exhaust can be significant.

One thing I was told, and did discover on a test drive, was that a diesel with a turbo (in this case a RAV4 2.0 D4D) could drive surprisingly quietly with almost no exhaust system attached. The front box (catalyst) had become blocked with soot, and had chronically reduced available engine power. To prove the point, I drove the car for a few miles with nothing more than the short front downpipe attached. Except at wide-open throttle (when it did bark) the exhaust note was just a pronounced burble/thrum, which was surprising. This was explained to me as typical, as the turbo smoothed out the shock-waves of the gases, and with it most of the noise.

Previous experience with lots of non-turbo petrols recalls that this definitely wasn't the case, and that a dropped/removed exhaust would produce a real racket.

That suggests that non-turbo BX's could be asking the exhaust system to deal with a high level of noise, and in the case of the NA diesels there is no front box at all, just the transverse and tail ones at the rear.

What is also interesting is that the front 'resonator box' (hanging from the exhaust manifold) doesn't get fitted to NA BX D, although it did to Visa, iirc...
_____

Post BX, a lot of work was done by Citroen on build quality (=> extra weight), with ZX, Zantia and XM all getting major re-thinks of cavity construction, sound proofing, and body-panel anti-resonance, with obvious benefits. Some of this could probably be replicated on BX - such as adhesive damping mats for interior door panels and wing undersides, and extra underlay for cabin and boot floors. Even a generous dose of wax in the sill cavities would have a quietening effect. Most of the engines remained pretty much the same (V6 petrol and DK5ATE diesel excepted).

On our 19D the engine bay seems to be the a major source of noise getting into the cabin, and it would be nice to tackle that. The bonnet is steel (and has its insulation mat), and the front of the firewall is also insulated. The interior of the scuttle-trough (containing blowers, wiper, washer reservoirs) is both large and completely unlined, which may/may not be significant; it's obviously an area which can also get wet.

Tyre and wind noise is not obtrusive, which is helpful.
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deltic
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Re: Deltic's GTi Blog

Post by deltic »

FA2BA6F3-1F77-42FD-B3B8-27C2CBDE696D.jpeg
Keeping good company in Blackpool (somewhere I have not been since childhood!) the BX has acquired an MoT pass without any work which is a slight weight off my mind! Also had a service and a few other minor repairs including replacement of the nearside headlight and two heat and/or rodent damaged plug connectors in the engine bay.
11F0E5B1-58FD-4FD8-8CC9-F35C8178819C.jpeg
Now looking at the attached photo the bonnet seems a different colour, there’s always something else isn’t there? So all being well the car is ready for the Challenge, although I may still consider replacing the exhaust and tyres.
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1991 BX GTi auto, grey, 137,000 miles (2015, 2017 & 2019 Citroen Classic Challenge veteran)
1991 BX GTi auto, grey, 92,000 miles (2022 Citroen Classic Challenge veteran)
2006 C4 VTR+ 2.0 Coupé, silver, 78,000 miles (RIP)
2016 Volvo V40 T2 R-Design Pro, blue, 24,000 miles
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Re: Deltic's GTi Blog

Post by mds141 »

I dropped the Valver off at Dave’s this morning. Passed the MoT with flying colours. Picking her up on Tuesday after the cambelt has been done and the new Michelin MXV’s I bought from Longstone Tyres (£700!! Ouch ) fitted. Your Gti looked splendid.
Mark Smith

Is it just me or is everything shit?

1989 BX GTi 16 valve. Blanc Alpine. Completed the Citroen Classic Challenge Ecosse and 1337 miles without a hitch.
2000 XM VSX 2.1 td Auto. Rouge Magenta.
TGD saloon many years ago.

1990 Swift 'Corniche' 12/2 aka BXClub HQ.
Honda Firestorm. Gone, but not forgotten.
2015 Triumph Tiger Explorer XC.
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deltic
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Re: Deltic's GTi Blog

Post by deltic »

Thank you. Two BXs with new MoTs is a good thing! Mine is still in Blackpool as I’ve been unable to collect it as yet.
1991 BX GTi auto, grey, 137,000 miles (2015, 2017 & 2019 Citroen Classic Challenge veteran)
1991 BX GTi auto, grey, 92,000 miles (2022 Citroen Classic Challenge veteran)
2006 C4 VTR+ 2.0 Coupé, silver, 78,000 miles (RIP)
2016 Volvo V40 T2 R-Design Pro, blue, 24,000 miles
mds141
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Re: Deltic's GTi Blog

Post by mds141 »

As is mine. The motor factors supplied the wrong cambelt kit, so Dave’s had to order one in. Hopefully collecting on Tuesday.
Mark Smith

Is it just me or is everything shit?

1989 BX GTi 16 valve. Blanc Alpine. Completed the Citroen Classic Challenge Ecosse and 1337 miles without a hitch.
2000 XM VSX 2.1 td Auto. Rouge Magenta.
TGD saloon many years ago.

1990 Swift 'Corniche' 12/2 aka BXClub HQ.
Honda Firestorm. Gone, but not forgotten.
2015 Triumph Tiger Explorer XC.
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deltic
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Re: Deltic's GTi Blog

Post by deltic »

Then you will have to “test” the car won’t you!
1991 BX GTi auto, grey, 137,000 miles (2015, 2017 & 2019 Citroen Classic Challenge veteran)
1991 BX GTi auto, grey, 92,000 miles (2022 Citroen Classic Challenge veteran)
2006 C4 VTR+ 2.0 Coupé, silver, 78,000 miles (RIP)
2016 Volvo V40 T2 R-Design Pro, blue, 24,000 miles
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Re: Deltic's GTi Blog

Post by rutter123 »

Test=Italian tune up.
Gotta scrub them new tyres in.
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deltic
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Re: Deltic's GTi Blog

Post by deltic »

Collected the BX, which was moderately tested on the way home.

Mark your car also looked splendid up on the ramp! Who did you get to make your exhaust?
1991 BX GTi auto, grey, 137,000 miles (2015, 2017 & 2019 Citroen Classic Challenge veteran)
1991 BX GTi auto, grey, 92,000 miles (2022 Citroen Classic Challenge veteran)
2006 C4 VTR+ 2.0 Coupé, silver, 78,000 miles (RIP)
2016 Volvo V40 T2 R-Design Pro, blue, 24,000 miles
mds141
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Re: Deltic's GTi Blog

Post by mds141 »

It was a company in Walsall called MiJ Performance. Think they’re still going. It was totally custom fabricated as they’d never done a BX before. It’s been on for ten years now and still looks as good as new.
Mark Smith

Is it just me or is everything shit?

1989 BX GTi 16 valve. Blanc Alpine. Completed the Citroen Classic Challenge Ecosse and 1337 miles without a hitch.
2000 XM VSX 2.1 td Auto. Rouge Magenta.
TGD saloon many years ago.

1990 Swift 'Corniche' 12/2 aka BXClub HQ.
Honda Firestorm. Gone, but not forgotten.
2015 Triumph Tiger Explorer XC.
mds141
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Re: Deltic's GTi Blog

Post by mds141 »

Mark Smith

Is it just me or is everything shit?

1989 BX GTi 16 valve. Blanc Alpine. Completed the Citroen Classic Challenge Ecosse and 1337 miles without a hitch.
2000 XM VSX 2.1 td Auto. Rouge Magenta.
TGD saloon many years ago.

1990 Swift 'Corniche' 12/2 aka BXClub HQ.
Honda Firestorm. Gone, but not forgotten.
2015 Triumph Tiger Explorer XC.
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deltic
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Re: Deltic's GTi Blog

Post by deltic »

Thanks, good to know!
1991 BX GTi auto, grey, 137,000 miles (2015, 2017 & 2019 Citroen Classic Challenge veteran)
1991 BX GTi auto, grey, 92,000 miles (2022 Citroen Classic Challenge veteran)
2006 C4 VTR+ 2.0 Coupé, silver, 78,000 miles (RIP)
2016 Volvo V40 T2 R-Design Pro, blue, 24,000 miles
mds141
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Re: Deltic's GTi Blog

Post by mds141 »

Unfortunately the Valver is still languishing at Dave’s in Blackpool. They’re having problems getting ho,d of a cambelt kit. Two have turned already that weren’t the correct ones. They ordered one from abroad, that is hopefully turning up today. Fingers crossed it’s the right one.
Mark Smith

Is it just me or is everything shit?

1989 BX GTi 16 valve. Blanc Alpine. Completed the Citroen Classic Challenge Ecosse and 1337 miles without a hitch.
2000 XM VSX 2.1 td Auto. Rouge Magenta.
TGD saloon many years ago.

1990 Swift 'Corniche' 12/2 aka BXClub HQ.
Honda Firestorm. Gone, but not forgotten.
2015 Triumph Tiger Explorer XC.
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