₦airaland Forum

Every time I drive out with the classics, I am bombarded with "What's the fuel consumption like? How high is the fuel consumption? Are these carburettor engines truly fuel guzzlers? Etc". Even though fuel consumption is subjective, I tend to pause to articulate right words or answers that could make sense to them. Many times, my response was, "The consumption is good enough that I am not complaining". Most don't find that answer good enough. Today alone, 2 persons approached and asked same questions and I gave them a different answer which appeared to satisfy their curiosity without further questions on the fuel consumption subject. Whatever amount of money I spend in fueling my vintage cars weekly, covering a specific number of distances, is same amount I spend also on the modern ones, same days of the week and same distances covered. Only difference I know is the newer/modern cars are quicker and faster with same consumption, as far as the basic motoring experience is concerned.

I enjoy the benefits that come with the newer EFI systems on newer/modern cars too, but most of them paid the high price to achieve that (zero soul, no character). BEV may become the standard in near future which I personally don't care, but it gives me unsolicited validation and satisfaction for living in 2 worlds, where I enjoy benefits the cars in both worlds offer. Not every man is that privileged. I am unapologetically one of the privileged ones.

Ikenna351

From another 607 user on my YouTube Channel.

Ikenna351

cardoctor:
You can also drive the automatic in manual mode. You just won't have a clutch pedal.

To compare using manual mode in an automatic transmission to the stick shift process in actual manual transmission doesn't technically match. Your position is better directed to those who haven't experienced both long enough to believe such claim.

Ikenna351.

Kandaha:
Hello Ikenna. I just purchased a Nigerian used Peugot 307 TU5PJ 1.6 L Petrole Engine. I'd like to know the Engine Oil to use.

Although after purchase I made use of Total Quartz 7000 (10W- 40). Should I continue with this? If not what do you recommend.

The Total Quartz 7000 (10W-40) and Quartz 9000 (5W-40) are both recommended for your engine.

Ikenna351

Well, I own identical cars in the very picture you posted. So, I am not only in a better position to educate you as an owner of both vehicles, but also as the Lion King.

Even though the 407 Coupé is one of the best sports cars Peugeot gifted mankind, I still wouldn't recommend you test drive one if you are considering 607 as well, for you may find yourself in a dilemma I went through that made me end up with both. They both behave differently, packaged differently and sound differently, even though the Powertrain is the same (not entirely identical though). But then, I am only referring to the full performance packaged versions: The V6.

Usually, when someone's focus on a vehicle to consider buying is on fuel economy, I would assume the performance packed ones shouldn't be in the picture or on priority list. Performance and fuel economy is an oxymoron. In your case, would limit it for you to the 4-cylinder engines, of course the petrol ones. Also, in your case, the Saloon version of 407 is your only option against 607. I have driven 407s with all petrol engines and all transmission types: 1.8 EW7J4 Engine 5-speed Manual, 2.0 EW10J4 Engine 4-speed Auto, 2.0 EW10J4 Engine 5-speed Manual, 1.8 EW7A Engine 5-speed Manual, 2.0 EW10A Engine 4-speed Auto, 2.0 EW10A Engine 5-speed Manual, 2.2 EW12J4 3FZ Engine 4-speed Auto, 2.2 EW12J4 3FZ Engine 6-speed Manual, 2.2 EW12J4 3FY Engine 4-speed Auto, 2.2 EW12J4 3FY Engine 6-speed Manual, 3.0 ES9A V6 Engine 6-speed Auto, 3.0 ES9A V6 Engine 6-speed Manual, including 2.0 HDI Diesel Engine 4-speed Auto and 2.0 HDI Diesel Engine 6-speed Manual. Excluding the V6, every other 407 Auto with petrol engines consume more fuel than 407s with same engines but manual gearboxes. If the car must consume the least, then it must be manual (avoid EW7J4 though, as being pointed out to you, strictly on fuel economy reason). If it must be automatic transmission, then the V6 is preferable at the cost of fuel economy (still subjective for the individual users though). To be in the middle, the 2.2 EW12J4 3FY 6MT is my recommendation.

607 is in a different league. He was a luxury car in his era (better equipped with gadgets or luxury feel than the 407). Suspension is as rugged with cheap maintenance cost as the Never-Say-Die 406 (the V6 has sportier suspension setup though that cost more when repair is needed). The facelifted version is preferable, limiting you only to the EW12J4 3FY 4-cylinder Engine 6MT, unless you prefer the pre-facelift with 2.0 RFN 5MT or the 2.2 3FZ 5MT. Again, I recommend the facelifted version which is a big improvement on the earlier. The 4-cylinders in 607 were mostly not equipped like the V6 versions, but you enjoy lower maintenance cost in their ownership, again, since you are more concerned with the fuel economy, and probably, maintenance cost. High power comes at a cost.

Parts for both Peugeot vehicles are very much available in northern Nigeria. I don't know about other regions. Visit the spare parts markets in your locality and find out about their availability. Aside parts, technical know-how in your locality should also be one of your queries, for these 2 cars are not 504 and 505. Their do's and don'ts must be adhered to or you become one of the statistics that bitch about them online.

One thing I can assure you is how hard it is to see any user selling his or hers when they are properly maintained or not abused, except when the urge for a change becomes stronger. For the 4-cylinders, the 607 maintenance cost is lower due to the complex front suspension setup in 407, (though maintenance cost can be lowered if driven responsibly on rough roads, pot holes, speed bumps, etc). With the 80-liter fuel tank of the 607, a full tank can last weeks or about a thousand km drive in a journey with ease on the throttle pedal, as long as manual transmission is concerned. The 607 has better headlights for visibility at night, while the 407 road handling is better with sportier looks. Both require electricals to be electronically diagnosed when a warning pops up. Apply trial and error or cut and join method at your own peril and join the statistics sooner than you were warned. I have owned both for many years, and one of them has covered over 300,000 km mileage. Yet, same engines from new, no engine noise, no oil shortage, same fuses from new, etc. They are nightmares to those that deserve that, because they value their cars so low that they treat them like they do during their ownership and complain when they start experiencing expected feedback from the mercilessly abused cars. None of these 2 cars like bumper to bumper drive, for their body parts are not as available as the other parts of the vehicles, even in the north. So, if you enjoy scratching, hitting, smashing or wrecking every corner of a vehicle weekly, you are better off with a different vehicle aside these two.

I have done and published a lot of videos and articles on Peugeot 407 and Peugeot 607. Find them, read, watch and gain more knowledge on them to help you make a choice out of the two that may serve you better. Avoid Nigerian used if you can. I explained all the above on the 2 cars not because I think, but because I know.

Ikenna351

On Tuesday evening 12/05/2026 around 6pm, I was in my 1986 Silver 505 driving to somewhere and needed to climb unto a bridge in front of me. I followed a roadside that connects to the bridge which was hilly and dangerously curved. As soon as I drove into it, the unique body roll this era of Peugeot cars were known for immediately kicked in. Halfway, a thought hit me. I added a little bit more fuel via the throttle and the car tail suddenly slid/pushed outward to the left, as the PRV engine melody coming from under the hood changed to aggressive roar. Call it oversteer or drift, the car maintained that slide posture till he got to the top of the bridge. As I let off the throttle pedal, the rear end shifted back to normal straight position with the front end, as the PRV sound returned back to low rpm melody. Stupid things men do! Unapologetically, I loved the experience. Couldn't remember if I was laughing or smiling. If heaven was real, I was in it in those moments.

It was not the oversteer behaviour that made the difference, but the body roll while on it. You can't get these unfortunately on modern cars. For 2 days later, I took one of my modern cars with more powerful engine on same road and attempted same drive skill, but nothing happened. No body roll, no oversteer. The car only accelerated much quicker to the bridge but on a straight position. Didn't even feel the dangerous curve. I understand the dynamics of RWD vs FWD in such road conditions and the drive skill applied, but modern cars are meant for different driving experiences which I don't regret having. When they ask, "Why the passion on Classic or Vintage Cars in this era of technological advancement on newer Automobiles?", I tend to keep the answer to myself. Because if you had to ask, then you are mentally incapable to understand, even if I attempt to explain. You have to be on a different level or frequency on cars to not only to understand the values each of these eras of cars possess, but also to appreciate the experiences derived from driving them, since they possess different qualities, characters and sounds. There were eras you could tell a brand, model or a badge on a car by mere listening to the engine sound without seeing or looking at the vehicle. Cars of today all sound the same, and even look the same, in most cases, but possess qualities earlier cars lack. Driving some modern cars are more or less simulations. There are still new vehicles today that still offer actual driving experiences other than just speed. If for some reason you dislike classic and vintage cars, I don't envy you.

Ikenna351.

One area Peugeot is superior among many other brands is Manual Transmission. Even when others ditched manual, Peugeot not only continued to provide their performance cars and standard cars with manual, but also continued to improve on the transmission type, which makes them super fun to drive.

Today, I drove a Peugeot 3008 Turbocharged engine with 6MT (6-speed Manual Transmission) and was reminded of how much I missed this excitement ever since I last drove a Peugeot 508 Turbo with same 6MT and same engine too. It makes me wonder if Peugeot truly designed these EP6 engines to run also with the automatic transmissions they attach on some of them, or if they were afterthought. Even though most of these EP6 Turbo engines don't make power like the V6, the 6MT on them makes a lot of difference, such that you won't bother much about the lack of V6 aggressive tone. For example, the 6MT on the 3008 Turbo I drove today produced the same click feel the V6 6MT produces too. Interesting part of it is, you don't hear the click sound, you feel it on your palm, as it automatically registered as click sound in your brain at the same time your palm feels it. The position of the gear lever sits higher than earlier Peugeots, giving it a sporty shift position while you are glued to the seat without leaping forward to upshift and downshift while in action. Again, the improvement wasn't only in and on the transmission, but the rest of activities that produced the term "Stick-shift" were factored in designing the entire vehicle with these engines. Which begs the question again, was the automatic transmission on vehicles with these engines an afterthought?

The diagnosis and repair video on the 3008 will soon be published.

Ikenna351
04/04/2026.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7AOUIgQLQ0?si=3f8gGY9MUS8MLZ6E

Ikenna351

10 days ago, it was a 2019 vehicle. This afternoon, it was 2018. I usually mind my business until they want to show me "I GOT THE POWER!!" look or attitude. All I would need to give them a sad face is to downshift, just like what happened this afternoon to the black one.

This Peugeot 406 was created in March 26 years ago, yet newer vehicles with 18 and 19 years gaps
with more powerful engines couldn't keep up. For a period of 10 years, most of you Nigerians were foolishly criticizing 406, regurgitating what they saw others said, wrote or posted, especially online. The V6 versions, like this one, got the worst names. Too problematic, Electrical nightmares, Timing belt wahala, too much overheating, etc. One even claimed that every wire in D9 406 expires at 150,000 km mileage use and should be disposed of before the 150k mileage. The days of trying to prove or convince otherwise are long gone. What I got for you is to continue to embarrass you, unless your God helps you as you cross my path when I am not in the mood as you pull the ignorant stunt of "IT'S THAT ALL YOU GOT?"

The 2000 Peugeot 406 V6 6MT remains the quickest Lion in my fleet, the most fuel economical, and the cheapest V6 Lion to maintain in the fleet, as he remains ageless. No matter how overwhelming the day would appear sometimes, you can't spend more than 3 minutes behind the wheel of this car while in motion with a sad face. One of the best quickest mood swing helpers ever created for men. Who needs a therapy session when there is a friend called Peugeot 406 V6 6MT? They just don't make cars like this anymore.

Ikenna351

Peugeot 505 2.0 ST vs Peugeot 505 2.8i V6 Acceleration Without Mechanical Fan

- The ST gradually revs up in agricultural harsh tone, while the V6 smoothly revs up in aggressive melodious tone.

- The higher the rpm on the ST, the more uncomfortably harsh the engine sounds. The higher the rpm on the V6, the more encouraging to increase the rpm as engine sounds sweeter.

- The ST is more enjoyable to drive on engine Torque (lower rpm), thereby consumes less fuel, While the V6 is more enjoyable to drive on Horsepower (higher rpm) thereby consumes more fuel.

- The ST takes longer to hit 5k rpm, while the V6 rapidly effortlessly hits the redline (no rev-limiter on the 170 hp version).

Ikenna351

Excerpt from the trip.

https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSyD4cGEq/

Ikenna351

Roadtrip Day 2: Amawbia, Awka, UNIZIK, St. Patrick Cathedral, etc.

Ikenna351.

The Roadtrip Day 1

Ikenna351

Below is fuel consumption analysis of 5-day road trip I did in my Peugeot 505 ST weeks ago (30/09/2025 - 04/10/2015)

- 2.0 XN1A Engine, 5MT, 4.1 final drive ratio, A/C mostly on, Power Steering, About 100 - 150 kg items in the boot and cabin floor, Electric Fan for Radiator/Engine cooling, 75° Thermostat for Engine/Radiator, 15" Alloy Wheels, 10w-40 Engine Oil, Double Barrel/Progressive Carburettor, etc.

- The 1st 200 km covered in the trip (Abuja - Lokoja): The car consumed about 15 litres of petrol, on average of 100 km/h on smoother part of the highways.

- The 1st 455 km covered in the trip (Abuja - Enugu), the fuel consumption was approximately 45 litres (mixed driving due to terrible bad road conditions, keeping the car mostly in gear 1 and 2 for over 4 hours drive out of 10 hours drive).

- Total distance covered in the road trip was 1,243 km. Total amount spent on fuel is N148,000, with approximately 35 litres of petrol remaining in the fuel tank at the end of the trip. Average price per litre of fuel purchased was N900.

To conclude, any human that tells you tomorrow that double barrel carburettors like the Solex Z1 34-34 on the 2.0 Carburettor Engines (XN) in 504s and 505s are fuel guzzlers are either they are Liars or ignorantly deceiving the ignorant or curious ones. My Chinese copied newly purchased double barrel carburettor doesn't work optimally as the genuine ones does, with regards to fuel economy, yet it performed beyond my expectations.

One area 505 shine is in journeys. But with the configuration of mine, expect a never forgetful memorable experience on the road.

Ikenna351,

I thought the only best thing that happened to my Peugeot 406 V6 SV D9 was the conversion to Brembo brakes, until I converted him to 6-speed Manual. The more the mileage climbs since after the 6MT swap, the quicker the car responds to acceleration at lower rpm. If you think manual cars suck, you haven't met one that educates you that manual cars get levels. I wished Peugeot had produced 508 with this ES V6 Engine.

Ikenna351

UPDATE: 500 KM DRIVE AFTER THE CONVERSION

- The first few sad moments I experienced behind the wheel in the car with the 6-speed Manual Transmission was the loss of effortless acceleration from 0 to about 95 - 100 km/h on gear 2 of 5-speed Manual Transmission. Pushing the throttle pedal to the floor was never needed for that experience (a small press on pedal was enough). Sadly, I actually expected it would be gone before even the decision to do the conversion, but it felt more than I expected when experienced. Yes, I knew it was a big price to pay. It took some effort to rewire my mental expectations of the car previous characters, depending on my input behind the wheel, though. Quite a number of transmission types and models have been matted to the ES V6 engine series since production started and ended, and every single one of them changed the car characters even though they were the same engines.

- The car character on gear 2 may have changed with the 6MT, but the engine wild attitude remains unchanged. In fact, the 6MT makes it more pronounced. If you think you have heard all the songs the ES9J4S can produce with its stock 5MT and ZF 4HP20 auto transmissions, you are wrong. The 6MT unleashed that side of engine potential hidden by stock gearboxes. The Only person that will likely understand what I am saying here is someone that pulls or has owned Peugeot 407 Coupè V6 6MT (ES9A Engine). That rumble sound is undefeated. Even though Peugeot 505 V6 remains the best in this department, the 6MT on 406 V6 makes you question the speciality reserved for the 505 V6, like when a father and son Lions are in roar competition.

- The 406 V6 5MT wasn't geared for sport. The long throw shifter of his 5MT isn't discouraging to race with, but not sporty to shift. However, having the 6MT on him now has changed the game. I have stalled the car many times (unintentionally) during the 500 km drive on the 6MT at traffic lights, because I couldn't tell if the stick was on gear or neutral. The shifter movement is now so short that almost no second is lost in power increase, overtaking or fundrive. It's hard to tell when in gear 2 or neutral. A complete change of driving pattern and expectations while in action.

- Speaking of the 6MT Shifter, the throw-in distance is not only different from the 5MT, the sound of the shift isn't same either. The 5MT sounds "gbim", while the 6MT sounds "click", as you upshift or downshift. You don't hear the sound, you feel it, right there on the palm of your hand, gripping the knob. It's kind of hard to tell which one feels superior. You just enjoy the difference (new excitement).

- One great area the 6MT outshines 5MT on the ES9J4S V6 engine in Peugeot 406 is in overtaking. With the 5MT, you have to downshift to overtake, most of the time. Now with the 6MT, zero need for that. It doesn't matter which gear you are on in. A further depress of the pedal a little is all that is needed for a quick overtake. I mean, both gearboxes' final drive ratios explain it clearer: 4.0,1 vs 4.7,8. Of course, the 6MT demands more shifting than the 5MT while in the streets, or generally, on city drive. But you get to enjoy the rumble sound from the engine bay while on it, unlike the 5MT that waits till when on very high rpm instead, if any (now that I think about it).

- I haven't noticed any significant change in the fuel economy since the 5MT to 6MT upgrade. Probably, that change may never happen because even though my driving pattern has changed behind the car wheel, my driving style hasn't. For those who might be more interested in highway fuel consumption of the 6MT in the car, I would tell you this, gear 5 maintains 100 km/h at 2,900 RPM, while gear 6 effortlessly propels the car on same 100 km/h but at 2,500 RPM. The difference of 400 rpm will have effect on the consumption, depending on the driver's intentions.It might be interesting for some to know that 406 V6 Manual remains the most fuel economical production V6 car Peugeot ever made. I am authoritatively telling you this as someone who almost has owned or driven them all (both auto and manual versions).

- Which is quicker? It's hard to tell yet, considering the 6MT only just covered 500 km on the car. Usually, the ECU takes awhile to reset, relearn or re-adapt to such new system introduced overtime. Initially, it was worse in the first 50km drive (which i was expecting), but has improved before the 500 km mark, and probably may continue to improve before 2,000 km, which has been my observation or experience from all modern Peugeot vehicles I have done major modifications or conversions on (both mine and others). I will tell you this, Peugeot 406 V6 Manual remains the quickest production V6 vehicle Peugeot ever produced or sold to the public.

- No Peugeot car has been able to replace 406. When it comes to 406 V6 Manual specifically, only Peugeot 407 Coupè V6 6MT can be pointed at, excluding the maintenance cost (even though the 407 Coupè V6 6MT beats V6 406 in some performance aspects). The T9 308 GTi, RCZ 200 & R are there, but their engines make them not suitable 406 replacements. The turbocharged engines in them make equivalent and higher power, while joined with improved LSD 6MT, but they just don't make power and sound the way the naturally aspirated ES V6 Engines do 406 V6 and 407 Coupè V6 do, among others. Cars like 406 V6 Manual may never again be experienced by humans, aside the few still remaining in the hands of enthusiasts. I know the trend for younger generations or average modern man is Quiet Emotionless Fast Boxes for road use (the more disengaged they become, the more attractive they are). I am glad I was born and raised in the era when testosterone and masculinity were determinant factors for some cars produced and the target market. I don't know if I would ever consider 5MT in place of 6MT on the 406 V6. Anything is possible. I just know that some fun spirited drive awaits me every day.

Ikenna351

SOLEX 32-35 MIMSA vs SOLEX 34-34 Z1 CARBURETTORS ON 2.0 XN1A ENGINE - 30/06/2025


According to Peugeot, both are double barrel carburettors, also known as 2-barrel carburettors or generally regarded as progressive carburettors too. The first 2.0 Carburettor engine in 505 (XN1) was designed or sold with 32-35 MIMSA carburettor in this part of the world (Nigeria). While the 34-34 Z1 carburettor (also known as D9) was sold with the improved 2.0 carb engine (XN1A by name) in facelifted Peugeot 505 and few other Peugeot 504 later models. The 32-35 MIMSA is manual choke, while the 34-34 Z1 is automatic choke (though some regions also had the auto choke version of the 32-35 called Solex 32-35 TMIMA). To make it easier in the analysis below, I would regard the Solex 32-35 MIMSA as just MIMSA, while the Solex 34-34 Z1 as just Z1. Test car was Peugeot 505 ST, and was mostly a 800 km city drive test and about 5 minutes drive on expressway occasionally.

INSTALLATION:
As already stated above, since XN1A engine was designed to run with Z1 as stock, it's much easier to mount the Z1 on the 4-branched intake manifold of the engine. The MIMSA doesn't match carburettor sitting position on the intake. Thanks to Graham Wallis (an Australian) who gave me a hint on how he did his (filed the bolt holes of the MIMSA base), and I was able to get mine to sit and bolt properly on the XN1A intake, though took hours to eventually make that happen with some tools. Another challenge of MIMSA installation on XN1A intake manifold is the air filter assembly that can fit in, considering that the Z1 air filter assembly wouldn't fit on the MIMSA. It took me weeks to figure out how to fabricate one that could work which I successfully did. There is a stock MIMSA air filter assembly i that I know of that could easily fit on MIMSA on the XN1A (not the oil bath type), but couldn't find. There is also an option of carburettor cone filter, but i didn't have easy access to them to pick one that could fit. So, i went with the tougher option (fabrication). The 3rd challenge is that the Z1 throttle cable doesn't fit on the MIMSA on XN1A. So, I had to change or swap in a universal throttle cable with some fabrications to eventually work with the MIMSA. My point is, if you don't have a technical creative mind, you may not be able to mount and run MIMSA on XN1A engine, unless you have someone that can do it for you. So the Z1 is just much easier to mount on XN1A, which is basically plug and play. Though there are wiring connections to the Z1 carburettor, but can easily be drawn from ignition, if the car didn't have XN1A engine initially.


EASE OF USE:
Unfortunately for the Z1, the MIMSA is the easiest to accelerate. No throttle pedal connected to other cars with carburettors I have used felt as easy or light to accelerate like the MIMSA (including non Peugeot cars with carb engines). Not even modern Peugeot EFI throttle pedals are that light (that i have driven or used). The Z1 was an improvement of MIMSA and TMIMA, but failed in this department. Pushing the throttle pedal to the floor with the Z1 takes some effort, but the MIMSA is effortless. In fact, it's hard to keep the throttle pedal from hitting down the floor with the MIMSA, to a point it required me to relearn how to drive a 505 using MIMSA, to prevent unnecessarily over revving. You only know when the secondary throttle plate opens from the engine sound with the MIMSA, unlike the Z1 that you know from the throttle pedal. Another advantage MIMSA has over Z1 on XN1A is the manual choke. One thing I dislike about the Z1 is the auto choke. It works when it wants to (at least the one used for the test). I have read that the coolant/water control of the Z1 choke can be converted to Electric choke control which appears to work better. Maybe I may consider it in future. For now, I had to modify the auto choke to stay open partially at some point, so that when it chooses not to work, the carburettor can still run the engine, better than staying shut or closed completely without opening. The MIMSA allows you to manually adjust the choke to any degree you want anytime (very predictable). Though, ever since I modified the Z1 auto choke, the cold start issue was no more. The auto choke is good when it works, but can't be depended on, at least for the Z1.


POWER DELIVERY:
The first thing you experience when you roar XN1A with MIMSA into motion is how torquey the car becomes at low rpm, better than the Z1. At some point, I swapped the main jets I met in the MIMSA (122 and 140) from primary to secondary and secondary to primary, but the high torque low rpm delivery remained almost same. Only downside of the MIMSA on XN1A engine in power delivery is, as soon as the rpm starts climbing way up, there is significant power decrease or stagnant observed (hp). And this is where the Z1 outshines the MIMSA on XN1A. The higher the rpm, the more significantly power increase is observed (car becomes quicker). The Z1 not only quicker as rpm climbs, the engine sounds sweeter (more aggressive to listen to), while the MIMSA becomes harsher without commensurate speed. I would assume its probably because of the different air filter assemblies mounted on both carburettors. The one on Z1 is a stock assembly, while one on MIMSA was a fabrication. So I wouldn't expect it sound same like the Z1. What I don't remember is how the MIMSA made the XN1 engine behaved on higher rpm in my previous 504 GL, considering the XN1 intake manifold and cylinder head were designed for the MIMSA, TMIMA, Zenith 35-40 INAT, etc. It's probable that MIMSA would behave better on XN1 than XN1A, in terms of horsepower delivery to the wheels. Notwithstanding, both have their strengths and weaknesses on XN1A. If you want diesel power delivery experience on XN1A, the MIMSA it is. If you want a more powerful output to the wheels from XN1A (107 hp), then go for the Z1 instead.


FUEL ECONOMY:
I didn't notice significant difference in fuel consumption of both. The Z1 is new but run very thirsty on high rpm (a little bit black smoke towards the floor). The MIMSA was purchased used and was almost dead till I repaired it to work in its current condition, but still not in condition good enough to leave on the engine for long. So I don't expect the best both can offer in regards to fuel economy. However, if both carburettors are in their best running conditions, I would expect the Z1 to consume less and still produce more power. For example, the Z1 main jets are expected to be 117 and 130, while the ones I met in the used MIMSA are 122 and 140. I haven't checked if the main jets on the new Z1 are as stated on workshop manual, since I don't want to mess with the new carburettor by opening it up. If I were to choose based on the more power to the wheels and fuel consumption, I would go with the Z1.


FUEL RETENTION:
Unfortunately, both the Z1 and MIMSA don't do well on this. Fuel in their float chambers doesn't stay too long, especially after 3 days of non crank. After about 48 hours or more, it usually takes longer crank to get fuel tank to the carburettor which not all batteries can't handle, considering it takes up to 10 - 20 crank to get fuel into float chamber in such situations, and being mechanical fuel pump too. One of the issues the used MIMSA had when I took the delivery was the inside of the entire passages in the carburettor were blocked with dried saliva, which happened as a result of previous user or Repairer sucking fuel from the tank and filling up the carb through the mouth (introducing saliva many times into the carb in the process), to avoid the 10 to 20 engine crank. Which is why I have gone for a better solution by buying a low pressure electric fuel pump, at least, only for the purpose of filling up the float chamber within 3 seconds in such situations, while the mechanical fuel pumps remains (at least for now) and continues to do it primary work. Will do and publish a video of the low pressure electric fuel pump installation and it's usage soon.


MAINTAINANCE:
One issue I have with the Z1 is it complexity compared to the much simpler MIMSA that is only mechanical and simpler. The Z1 was like the transition of carburettor to full EFI on Peugeot vehicles. Even though the used MIMSA was in a bad condition when I got it, I was able to repair it to work, aside the primary idle jet to has refused to work properly (always stalling at deceleration), no matter how many times I tune it or changed the jet. Obviously, the issue isn't the jet. If the Z1 had come in that condition, I wouldn't have bothered to attempt the repair but simply go for replacement instead. On one occasion during the MIMSA test on the XN1A engine, I opened up the MIMSA and swapped the main jets, among others, without removing the carburettor from the engine and it took me about 10 minutes to do all that. If it was Z1, it may take hours, starting with removing the carb from the engine to do since its nearly impossible to do with Z1 attached on the intake. The MIMSA is the easiest carburettor I have ever serviced and also cheaper to maintain (even better and cheaper to maintain than the Solex single carb on the 1.8 XM7 engine). The easiest way to prevent or avoid opening up or servicing the Z1 as much as possible is periodic replacement of fuel filter, religiously. Also, avoid the saliva getting into it. That way, you probably may never have the need for servicing the carb for a very long time of usage.


AVAILABILITY:
Fortunately, the new Z1 is still available for sale and easily to get, depending on your budget. Obviously, they are no longer genuine Solex made, but they are available anyway. The thing with new Solex carburettors in markets today is that they are mostly made by different manufacturers copying the original Solex carburettors. So, some will make theirs better than others. Getting one made better is now up to you to gamble. Because I can tell you, some users do actually end up with good ones. All you need is Google Solex 34-34 Z1 and you find them online, including Aliexpress (some have different brand names though). They are also available physically in Nigerian markets. I can't say the same for the MIMSA. I haven't been able to find any new MIMSA both online and offline, except used ones which I don't plan of ever spending a dime to buy one anymore. You are better off with new one than used one, even if it's a copy. Worst case, little black smoke issue. Used ones sometimes have been killed by previous users before they are disposed. Of course, I would expect there may still be good used ones out there, except some used Carburettor sellers are dishonest and would lie that theirs have been tested and in good working conditions when they are actually dead, especially if you are buying in Nigeria.


DEPENDABILITY:
I don't have enough experience on the Z1 yet to determine its dependability, but if I were to take a Peugeot 505 with XN1A engine for a continental roadtrip, like from Nigeria to Europe and back to Nigeria, I would prefer the MIMSA, or at least, go with the MIMSA as a spare incase the Z1 decides to misbehave in the trip and then swap in the MIMSA. Simply because the MIMSA is very much easier to tear apart and put back together and continue the trip within minutes, unlike the Z1. If I had MIMSA on the engine before setting out for the trip, I wouldn't bother about a spare carburettor for the trip. It doesn't mean the Z1 is not good enough to be depended on, it's just complex with some electronics. So if it needed servicing in the trip and something goes wrong while servicing it, you are screwed if you don't have a backup carburettor. Also, as someone that plans to own a 2.0 Carburettor engine for good, i would either have 2 new Z1 carburettors or 1 new MIMSA as spare. Maybe if I use the Z1 long enough, I would understand it as good as I do with the MIMSA, with regards to setting it apart and putting it back together and still be good or better than it was before the servicing. You don't have to worry about anything with the MIMSA as long as you have your spare gaskets, incase current ones on the carburettor break or tear during the servicing. Notwithstanding, constant change of fuel filter prevent such headaches.


CONCLUSION:
After testing both carburettors on the XN1A engine, I have decided to leave the Solex 34-34 Z1 on the engine going forward and not bother MIMSA on it anymore. Not because I do not miss the advantage the MIMSA had over the Z1 on the engine, but the overall performance of the engine with the Z1 carburettor is too impressive for me to ignore, considering I am currently sourcing for 4.1 final drive ratio differential to replace it with the current 3.8 differential on the car, to make the car much quicker than he currently is with the Z1. But the question remains, I talked about XN1A attitudes with both carburettors, how would the XN1 engine behave with Solex 34-34 Z1 carburettor on its intake manifold?

Ikenna351

A Father would always genuinely want his Son to be an improvement of him. However, no matter how intelligent, smarter or richer a son is than his father, he will never be better than his father in department of experience in life. This picture truly depict
father and son dynamics, and haven't experienced both cars in the picture for over a decade, I would always appreciate the moment I captured this history, unintentionally, which has become a constant reminder of one of the benefits of going against the grain.

Ikenna351.

WHAT'S WITH THE 2 CLASSICS?

My Peugeot 505 ST is undergoing engine rebuild since last week, as a preparation for what he actually came for: road trips and journeys. The 406 V6 will have to take a break for that purpose and do more of the spirited fun drive. Most likely, will swap in a different double barrel Carburetor that I purchased and restored. While on the engine assembling, the PAS was refurbished with brand new pump, and the clearance on the rack, shaft and pinion was fixed. On the brakes, a brand new disc was swapped in on the front with new pads, including replacement of the servo with non-leaky used one, but planned to fixed the removed leaky one and keep as spare. He is becoming better and better to my standard.

As for my other 505, the V6, the car exhibited some injection issues few weeks ago that made me put him to sleep since then. I haven't been able to create time to attend to, diagnose and cure the Malaria. He can be annoying sometimes when he becomes sick, since it takes elimination method to diagnose and fix his annoyance atimes. The other side of the annoyance is, once he is back in good health, he rewards me with unforgettable moments behind the wheel. Oh! The sound!

The 505 ST is too basic to worry about when he coughs, which hardly happens anyway. The 505 V6 is complicated to diagnose, but he helps in keeping my mechanical creative mind alive (figure shit out). I can't wait for both Lions to roar back to life soon.

Ikenna351

How Mechanical Fan Drains Engine Power against Electric Fan in Peugeot 505 and Peugeot 504.

Ikenna351

UPDATE ON CARBURETOR FUEL CONSUMPTION TESTS (02/05/2025)

Last week, I converted my Peugeot 406 V6 from the stock 5-speed Manual to 6-speed Manual. So, before embarking on performance fun drive test, I decided to do the city drive fuel consumption test to compare the 6MT vs 5MT city drive AC use low speed speed fuel consumption results. Same quantity of petrol was purchased from same fuel station, driving mostly with AC and similar acceleration and vehicle speed in mostly traffic situations. Only condition that changed was average weight of load in the car during both tests. The 6MT test had additional 70kg items in the vehicle to the 5MT test.

Below are the results of the 5 tests on the 3 cars, indicating distances covered with said/same quantity of fuel:

1. The Series II 505 - 25 litres - Single Barrel Carburettor (Solex 34 BISCA 3) - About 100 kg load - 2.0 (XN1A ) - 4.1 final drive ratio - 5MT (BA 7/5): 119 km .

2. The Series II 505 - 25 litres - Double Barrel Carburettor (Solex 34-34 Z1) - About 100 kg - 2.0 (XN1A) - 3.8 final drive ratio - 5MT (BA 7/5): 161 km .

3. The Z9 607 V6 - 25 litres - EFI (Bosch ME7.4.7.) - About 100 kg - 2.9i (ES9A) - 4.7 final drive ratio - 6MT (ML6C): 134 km .

4. The D9 406 V6 - 25 litres - EFI (Bosch ME7.4.6) - About 100 kg - 2.9i (ES9J4S) - 4.0 final drive ratio - 5MT (ML5T): 186 km .

5. The D9 406 V6 - 25 litres - EFI (Bosch ME7.4.6) - About 170 kg - 2.9i (ES9J4S) - 4.7 final drive ratio - 6MT (ML6C): 193 km .

Ikenna351

Peugeot 406 V6 6-speed Manual in the making. Details coming up soon on YouTube.

Ikenna351

ANY PEUGEOT 407 COUPÉ V6 FOR SALE IN ABUJA?

A client drove my V6 Coupé yesterday and fell in love, and now madly in search for one. While on the short drive on expressway, a black F-150 made several attempts to show himself and was humiliated, even though my client was more gentle with the car behind the wheel compared to me. If you are reading this the black F-150 driver, understand there is a difference between a standard V6 Lion Coupé and a Stick one, to avoid such embarrassment in future, even though you probably had V8 under your truck hood. He didn't even go beyond gear 5 when you guys were going through the adrenaline rush, but you couldn't keep up. It's not always about the numbers, but overall car attitude when geared into action.

So, if you have a Peugeot 407 Coupé V6 for sale, my client might be interested to buy, which I will have to ascertain the condition of the car first. He is willing to buy one with auto transmission and have me convert the car to manual, just like I did mine few years ago. Chat me up with the car pictures via my WhatsApp chat line is +2348095721703.

Ikenna351

Peugeot 505 ST Review


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EE2HD9T87Oc?si=YNgEkR22LEHVxKkc


Ikenna351

kingreign:
Mtcheeew.

Unfortunately, you were among the first few members that started this section. I was the first moderator of this section as soon as it was created and I singlehandedly manned this section for months until you later joined me as a co-moderator. We worked peacefully until we both left the voluntary roles as moderators and then you showed your true colors of who you really are. One thing any old member of Car Talk will tell you is that I have always be me. Unfortunately, you are backstabber, you sell yourself or soul to belong or be accepted to a clique, gang or group you perceive some benefits from. I am not asking you to be loyal. It just looks pathetic seeing you for what you are. Whatever makes you money, I guess.

Ikenna351

HeavenlyBang:
Lmao. Validating your fragile masculinity by driving a shitbox is definitely something.

What's interesting about you guys in Car Talk section on Nairaland is inability to learn hard lessons nature teaches. Not long ago, your god (Gazzuzz) and his gangs (including you) were busy bullying other members he considered threats to his business or fame in the section, until suddenly, your god died as some have claimed. You guys freaked out because you never imagined that side of physical life was possible for the man you worshipped and arse licked. Observation of someone's challenges, demise or difficulties is meant for the observer to go into reflection and choose a different path, if the outcome of current path could only lead to the person's destruction or meaningless life. You are obviously too boyish or immature to exercise your critical logical mind that aspect of life. Or probably your obvious hatred towards me gets you an erection. Hope my profile picture isn't making it worse for you to masturbate, if you are into men?

Nothing I said on this thread required the hate you have displayed. You don't have to agree with me or like classic Peugeot vehicles. There are people who do, all over the world, actually. Those are the people I shared this thread with. But you can still spread your bed on this thread because more updates are coming, including new threads on Classic and modern Peugeot vehicles. What happened to your god Gazzuzz can happen to you, you child, your spouse or anyone you cared about in the next 5 minutes. It can also happen to me as well. Difference is, I am focused on living whatever limited time I have left to breath the best I can, while you and your clique are eating your life away hating someone who doesn't even know about your existence, aside hiding behind keyboard professing this level of hate to the world. Hope you put your face to the fake name, since actual men stand by their words.

Ikenna351.

It's been 2 weeks behind the wheel of the Peugeot 505 ST and I haven't felt desire to hop into any of the modern 200+ horsepower cars for a break. As the young man in the picture stated, this 505 is a statement to other men on the road. As tempting as external validation could be, it's nothing close to inner satisfaction when experiencing or living in the outcomes of choices made in the past. One thing a 505 teaches you behind the wheel is how imperfect the car is, unlike what modern humans seek today, unfortunately. Sometimes, it takes a non feminine car to remind most men why there are balls in-between their legs, beside reproduction.

Ikenna351

At 25 years old, the only repair done on the AC was the replacement of weak seals on the compressor to stop gas leak, about 7 years ago. The compressor is almost always running with the engine on and I have never set the blower beyond 1.5 speed, nor reduce temperature beyond 16°C, no matter how hot weather is. I don't use the recycle button, yet I struggle not to freeze inside the car always.

Wished Peugeot had made newer Peugeot ACs to be as good as the 406 AC. Wished other car brands could learn from Peugeot on what they did on 406. Almost every other non Peugeot car in Nigeria now buys Peugeot 406 AC Compressors to convert into theirs, with hope to experience indestructible dependable Moscow chilling Peugeot 406 AC, no matter how brief the conversion last, with other side effects that do come with some of the conversions.

Peugeot 406 is a classic waiting to happen, if he is not already is.

Ikenna351.

Human memories tend to be so fragmented that trying to put the pieces together distort events or images one is trying to recollect sometimes. The early men solved the problem by inventing sculpture, paintings, music and other forms of Art. Photograph was included much later by semi-modern men, even though it doesn't last as good as the predecessors. But it still does same function like the others, such as assisting human minds to be more focus and recollective on the transitioned or departed loved ones, past pleasant events or experiences that bring relief to not only the mind, but the entire human body. So I found myself in those moments while searching through storage of car spare parts and saw this speedometer cable I kept and had forgotten. As I stared at the cable, I vividly re-lived my first car accident because of Speedometer.

Not once did I remember sitting in a car that speedometer worked till I became old enough to drive. So in 1997, I went to Car spare part shops beside NIPOST and NITEL offices along Zik avenue Awka and purchased a new Speedometer cable for VW Beetle 1500 at the price of N130. Since I couldn't figure out where the other end of the cable that goes to the wheel is mounted, a VW mechanic, Joseph (Nwaba) installed the cable for me. On my way home from his workshop behind Eke Awka market, I entered Emma Nnaemeka street to have more fun on smoother road which was newly built by PTF. I was excited seeing a speedometer reading for the first time in my life as I watched it getting closer to 80 km/h, then suddenly the car lost control. The car tail and front started swinging. I tried to control it via the steering wheel and it got worse. As I was still inexperienced behind the wheel, I pushed the brake pedal to the floor, holding the steering wheel firmly. Well, what happened next was too deadly for me to describe here. All I can say is, I came out of the incident unscratched, but it was unfortunate for the car, which led to the car death. I knew inexperienced behind the wheel played a big role in what happened, but it influenced positively my subsequent choice of cars. Because I experienced in those moments that some cars could have handled that situation better, especially if I didn't struggle that much to control the situation but trust the car enough to take control which I encountered twice few years later on better road handling Peugeot cars.

Prior to the speedometer cable installation on the Beetle 1500, I was always excited to peep on instrument clusters to see what speed cars were doing, but none ever made a move, especially the ones I was close enough to see the speedometer. Back then, almost every 504 user in Anambra state turned their instrument clusters to cassette storage. Majority of those facelifted 504s didn't have coolant temperature gauge. And since their speedometers weren't working, they didn't see the need of their clusters, except to stack up cassettes on them to the brim and cover the entire panel. Back then, every car user would open their bonnets every morning and do the physical manual checks under the bonnets required before driving out for the day. So, they didn't see the need or incentive to bother about the instrument panels for the rest of day. In 1998, you could imagine my expectation when I resurrected the dead abandoned white Peugeot 504 GL about to be scrapped, and found the car not only the speedometer was also not working, but the speedometer cable was yanked out and thrown away long before the resurrection. I searched for a new cable for the car at Awka, but all I could see were that of 504 SR/GR speedo cables, including that of 505 (504 GL speed cable was completely different these other later 504s). In 1999, beside UNEC Gate roundabout (Ogui New Layout, Enugu city), I walked into a small car part shop to buy battery terminals, and mistakenly asked him about GL Speedometer cable (not expecting him to have such a rare/scarce part in his tiny shop). He pointed at his shelves and said he has it. Not only that I wasn't expecting him to have it, I wasn't financially ready to buy it as well. So, I left and came back weeks, if not months later (after I have saved up the amount he told me he was selling) and still met the cable in his shop (he had only one left the first day I made the enquiry). I paid N400 and took possession of the blue colored coated speedo cable as he handed it to me. I recalled holding unto it like a huge fortune. The truth is, it was a fortune, considering how I searched for it, the value I placed on the GL speedo to work and the amount I purchased the cable since it was the first time of spending that amount on a part for the car since the resurrection. My GL mechanic, Emma Mechanic along Regina Caeli Hospital road at Awka refused to install the cable when I took the car to him for it. He was even upset that I wasted money on such a stupid desire to have a working speedometer in the car, he added. Thanks to him, I took the car home and figured out where both ends of the cable were meant to enter and i did the installation myself. The speedometer and cable worked perfectly well until late November 2004 when I removed the cable from the car, to take the car for a journey he will not return, until it was back on my palms few days ago in the same condition it was in the 2004 I kept it in storage. I used to think the GL engine still got some oomph until one Sunday morning in 2001 or 2002 while on a journey from Awkuzu to Awka along Onitsha - Enugu Expressway. My elder sister Ifeoma (departed) was on the rear seat, my elder brother on the front passenger seat, while I was behind the wheel. A car came behind to overtake, I switched to lower speed lane for him to pass. Suddenly, I changed my mind and pushed the throttle pedal to the floor. I was happy looking at the speedometer as it was climbing until it got to 130 km/h and refused to go further. That was how I knew the engine was basically gone. About a year later, I rebuilt the engine (thanks to the speedometer cable for that realization).

In 2010 when I purchased my Peugeot 505 V6, I was not surprised the speedometer wasn't working. I bought a new Speedometer cable in February 2011 at Apo Abuja at the price of N700 for the car. In 2020 during the lockdowns, I bought another new cable at same Apo at price of N1,500 this time to keep it as spare. In December 2024, I bought the Peugeot 505 ST and again, the speedometer wasn't working (was also expecting it). At least, both 505s had their speedometer cables still attached (even though broken), unlike the GL and Beetle. Holding the GL speedo cable few days ago reminded me that since I have being in Abuja, none of the 504s and 505s I have sat in here had a working speedometer, excluding mine. Logical questions that come to mind are, If these cables have been this cheap, why have Nigerians not been replacing their broken ones? Since none of mine have broken since I started buying and using them in 1997, why don't they last in other Nigerians? Could it be some users removed their speedo cables when their cars were under repairs but never bothered to reconnect them after? Why did majority of Nigerians in the 504 era saw Speedometer as unnecessary luxury not a necessity? Why is our car maintenance culture this very poor?

Ikenna351

I parked my D9 V6 5MT 4 months ago and drove the car yesterday after the 4 months of sleep. Even though the drive was short, I was reminded of the things I missed in those 4 months within those few minutes behind the wheel. 406 V6 5MT is not the best fun car in the world, but he remains one of the best Peugeot ever made. Before you sell yours, think hard what you are about to do, because there is no coming back. A man who drove a black manual one made the mistake and continued to regret ignoring my advice to him back then. He has been searching for another for about 5 years and hasn't seen any. I made the same mistake with the GL, and you guys know the rest.

Ikenna351

- Test Car: Peugeot 505 (Facelift).

- Test Engine: 2.0 Litre, XN1A, Petrol.

- Gearbox: 5-speed Manual, BA 7/5.

- Rear Differential: The Single carburetor was tested on 9x37 (4.1 ratio), while the double barrel Carburetor was tested on 9x35 (3.8 ratio).

- Test Carburetor Models: Single Barrel (Solex 34 BISCA 3); Double Barrel (Solex 34-34 Z1)

- Steering load: PAS (mechanical Power Assisted Steering).

- Duration of the tests: 03/02/2025 - 26/02/2025

- Test Wheels: Single carburetor was tested on 185 R14 on Steel Wheel rims (lighter); Double barrel Carburetor was tested on 205/65 R15 on Alloy rims (heavier).

- A/C: Used mostly in the daytime on both carburetors, but only on blower in the early mornings on cooler ambient temperature.

- Driving pattern: Same applied to both carburetors. Also, driven mostly on the streets or traffic (city drive), while few minutes taken on expressways on short distances (average of 10 km).

- Quantity of Petrol/PMS/Gas used in both tests: 50 litres (14 gallons US).

- Added load in the boot: About 100 kg during both tests.

- Petrol for the Test: The 50 litres of petrol for both tests on both Carburetors were purchased from same Total filling station and same pump.

- Conditions of both Carburetors: They were not in their best tunings during the test. Both were emitting black on hard acceleration (pedal to the floor), or the black smoke could be because but carburetors were not of best or high qualities. However, both Carburetors were basically new during the tests.

- Distance covered by Single Carburetor on 25 litres (6.6 gallons): 119 km (74 miles).

- Distance covered by Double Barrel Carburetor on the 25 litres: 161 km (100 miles).

- Which of the carburetors consumed the least? The Double Barrel Carburetor consumed less, given same quality of fuel, mostly city drive, same driving style and vehicle speeds, etc. The double barrel exceeded or won with additional 42 km (27 miles).

- Verdict: The 2.0 litre engines (XN1 and XN1A) were designed to perform their best with the double barrel carburetors on Peugeot 504 and 505 than single barrel Carburetors some users in Africa are converting to. Even with the advantage of the shorter final drive and lighter wheels the single barrel Carburetor was tested on, it still consumed more than the taller final drive and heavier wheels on the double barrel Carburetor test that would have made the double barrel to consume more. The metric I used for both tests wasn't the best for accuracy, but enough to give you idea what to expect, if you are considering such conversion.

- I videod both tests and it will be published on my YouTube channel, as soon as possible.


Ikenna351.

The Catholic Family House of Corps Members at Nyanya Abuja was kind to accommodate me after I left the orientation camp, but the mission group controlled life was something I walked away from in the past and was frustrated when I found myself in similar situation in that compound. But most importantly, living there became a big distraction to the most important goal I had coming to Abuja, as time went on. Renting a decent house to stay in Abuja was not an option, considering the meagre monthly allowance from NYSC back in those days. A solution presented itself when I gathered that the then Federal Ministry of Commerce and Industry where I was serving was paying their corpers once in every 4 to 6 months. To my fellow corpers serving at the ministry, it was wickedness. To me, it was a blessing. So as soon as the money was paid after the 5th month or so, I quickly cashed it and rented a room in a rural community called Angwan-dadi, off Nyanya Abuja, deep into a mountain bush, surrounded by big huge rocks. I paid about N24,000 for the 1 year rent, and, it was a Mud house. No kitchen, no toilet. The rest of the mountain was the toilet. And of course, no electricity. In spite of the living condition, I was happier, had peace and gave me the opportunity I needed to re-focus on the goal which I had no income or idea at the time on how to accomplish. And the goal was my dream car: Peugeot 505 V6.

Every week night, I would climb up to my mud house late in the night and lie on the floor (on spread bedsheet) as I searched and read reviews on the 505 V6 on my then Nokia 6630, especially the ones I was able to save before I got home due to lack of GSM or internet reception at the Angwan-dadi, at least at the time. I also had pages of reviews and debates on 505 V6 & 505 GTi I printed visiting cyber cafés, which I kept in the room and re-read with touch light most nights, over and over. Some were scary, some were not. The positive ones kept me going. Nothing else truly mattered at that time but those 505 V6 images, articles, reviews and posts on the phone and those printed papers. But the cost of living in a society and having such dream, goal, desire or choice got to me about 2 or 3 months living in that condition. I walked into an office at the Federal ministry of commerce and industry (block H, Commerce section) and a fellow male corper who I was serving with at the time at the ministry was in that office (Account unit, to be specific). He suddenly changed the subject of whatever they were discussing before I walked in and beckoned on everyone in the room to listen to what he had to say. He narrated how he visited the remotest part of FCT the previous weekend and saw me as I walked into a mud house which he believed must be where I was living. He busted out laughing and saying I was a disgrace to the family I came from to live in such environment, and that he would rather redeploy to another state than live in that environment just to serve or live in Abuja. I wasn't just embarrassed but didn't know how to react. I couldn't form any word and so I remained mute. There was also a girl in that office (Female corper), so I guessed he pulled another man down to impress a girl, since young men think with their penis. Again, I didn't know how to handle that situation, but one thing you don't forget undergoing formation in seminary institution is de-escalation. I followed my training and walked away, to let them have their laugh (yes, he won). I recalled when I got back to the mud house that night, I pulled one of the printed images of 505 and stared at it for about 30 minutes. Not questioning the choice I made, but to reassure myself that what I was looking at was worth the odds I experienced earlier in the day. That night, that image boosted my morale to the point that I handled the next high cost of living in that environment with ease when it hit me few days later, and another about 2 months later. There was a Big bag I kept in one corner of the room (Ghana-Most-Go Bag). After that night, I started having weird or unexplained feelings to lift that bag up. I wouldn't understand why I was having that thought, so I didn't act on it and about 4 days or so passed and the thought or feelings kept coming back. So, the next Saturday, I went and pulled the bag up from the ground and there under the bag was a snake. To cut the story short, I ended up killing the snake about 2 minutes later in that room. I didn't need to wonder where or how the snake got into the room. It was a Mud house anyway. The interesting thing was I was living with that snake in that room for however long before I acted on that message I was ignoring. About a month or 2 later, that thought or feeling came back again on that same bag on that same spot. This time, I acted on it immediately and again, found another snake under the bag as soon as the bag was up. That was my journey with Peugeot 505 V6 i never shared to anyone till now, not even to the family.

One teaching I didn't accept while in the Seminary was the virtues of forgive and forget, because it contradicted observable human nature. Sure, you can forgive, which is not for the sake of the person that wronged you, but for the sake of you (relieved mind always healthier than the vindictive one). However, memory is part of human nature which tends to be triggered, revived or brought back to surface when having certain experiences. I understand the "Out of Sight - Out of Mind" can subdue certain memories, but once in sight again, that Christian virtue goes out of the window. Fast forward 6 years later, I drove into a park in Abuja. As I was walking away from my car, a man walked towards me. Even though he looked thinner, I could recognise him. He was the corper that made mockery of me publicly for living in the mud house. He said he could see evidence of good living on me and would like to ask for my assistance incase I come across any job opportunity since he hasn't secured any meaningful job since we both finished our NYSC years back, he pleaded. While I took his phone number, I kept wondering within if he remembered what he did. That evening , I drove back home in one of my other cars I drove to work that day and went straight to where I packed my 505 V6 and stood there for some minutes, reminiscing the odds I went through, specifically the incidents that took place while living in the Angwan-dadi to have this car staring back at me. If you are a man, there are lessons no western formal education curriculum or religion will teach you except life itself. Even when the 505 V6 came, there were condemnations, mockery and insults from animals I share specie with call Humans concerning the car. But what is interesting is, some of them have gone or part ways with me since then, but the car is still here, remaining loyal, almost 2 decades since he materialises and came into my experience. Sometimes, I wished young men today had anyone to teach them about people's stupid opinions and their decision makings. But then, I would always remember that I was once in their age bracket and ignorant as well. If there is one thing you should take away from this, know that humans fickle. They are only loyal to their interests and emotions.

Peugeot 504 GL made me a Peugeot freak, but the 505 V6 boosted it and made me international. You can't visit Google and type Peugeot without seeing me popping out somewhere as you scroll down, depending on the prefix or suffix. From every indication, I am probably the only person that has a good running 505 V6 in a whole country called Nigeria. What's interesting is that mine isn't even the standard 505 V6, but the maniac version, specially made for only few markets (North America really lose on this one). One distinctive attitude a 505 V6 posses which modern German powerful RWD performance cars lack is the front and rear ends behaviour during the up and go hard acceleration, even though they are all RWD. The electronic aids have ruined some things that make driving certain cars unattractive to people that actually enjoy driving. The figures under the hood matters of course, but you can barely tell a difference driving a modern performance RWD from FWD, unlike the powerful RWD back in the era of cars like the 505 V6. The way the tail presses down to the ground and the front end pulls up, as you gear into action, listening to the music playing under the hood. Yes, the music. The whole of last week, I drove the 505 V6 and for the first time for almost 2 decades the car has been mine, I didn't switch the radio on, not even for a second, just to enjoy that V6 sound, which is usually more pronounced when you hold on a little longer on gear 3. I don't know why they don't make cars like this anymore. When men buy cars, they will proclaim they added another wife. When I look at my 505 V6, I acknowledge a best friend in my life. He doesn't nag. He just wants to have fun and we are both a matched energy. I have even gone to a point to modify the car injection wirings from factory to custom connections to sync with my breath. In other words, the car existence is tied to my breath, since no one can be able to keep the car running without me, at least, not with that engine which is what makes him to stand out. He is 39 years old, yet I have never had to top up engine oil before every oil change. I am not in any form of long term medication. HBP is a thing, but never came up or even expecting it, considering few general medical check ups I have done so far, sometimes, unwillingly, like the recent one. I understand male biology and nature which most men deny themselves. I am biologically mechanically and I chose no stupid opinion to talk me out of it, especially since I can afford to exercise that trait. Custom and tradition expects every Igbo man to have an Ikenga, even though the western religion has thwarted the meaning and purpose of it. Not every African tradition is tied to Paganism or other forms of African traditional religion. One purpose of Ikenga is to remind every Igbo man his successes, the struggles that led to achievements and encouragement to aim more. My 505 V6 Manual will always be a reminder of certain experiences and newer ones I would want to have, against all odds.

Ikenna Udeagwu (Lion King)