Shortie771's Del Sol Si - Build Thread

[Shortie771]

Well. I'm back AFTER far too long. Time for some updates, some things have changed. I have been REALLY busy in the last few years (wow time flies), but starting to focus a bit on my car again. Moved 4 times and for the last 2 years it was only about 2 miles each way for work so MPG wasn't a huge priority at the time, though I did average about 32-34.

I did end up getting my MPGuino working properly, although when it gets below about 40F and I go for a drive it will reset itself. Also recently sometimes when it wakes up, it will only display the top row of words (on the custom page) and I have to unplug it and plug it back in to fix it. Which ruins my tank results.

I ended having cooling system troubles (old car problems) and had to change my water pump and thermostat. Still can't figure out why my radiator fan won't kick on by itself so I jumped the wire in the summer (probably hurts mpg) to run in continuously. During these troubles I had to remove my grill block (which I LOVED) and I think it got left behind during one of the moves. I will have to make another (with improvements) when I figure out my radiator fan issue.

My shocks were going out last year (more old car problems) and I decided when I first bought the car that whenever parts go bad, I would upgrade them. Sooo... I installed new shocks and springs, fully adjustable Koni yellows with a Ground Control coilover kit. It will probably never pay for itself, but I lowered my car about an inch (yay aero!), the ride is nice (compared to the worn out shocks) and it handles much better so I can save even more momentum in the turns.

For some reason it won't let me edit my posts...

[ECO-AKJ]

Welcome Back!!!

[Shortie771]

Originally Posted by FordMan

Welcome Back!!!

Thanks

Oh and I forgot, I also got a vacuum gauge installed too. I put it where the factory clock used to be.

[Daox]

Welcome back.

[MetroMPG]

Welcome back!

Love the justification for the coilovers.

Originally Posted by Shortie771

You know you're an ecomodder when you notice the tach in the picture and think, what the heck is he doing?!??.

[Shortie771]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Welcome back!

Love the justification for the coilovers.

You know you're an ecomodder when you notice the tach in the picture and think, what the heck is he doing?!??.

Well I needed some sort of justification. I mean technically I will get a return on investment... It's just really really low

Oh and the reason for the tach is because I had literally just gone outside to take a pic of the gauge, but I didn't want it to read zero so I started the car. It hadn't warmed up yet. If you noticed though (left side) my MPGuino is reading 36.5mpg average. Not my best but still not bad considering its been mostly city, I'm still rocking that Si transmission. Need to fix that.

I should see some more increases soon since apparently I've been using my vacuum gauge all wrong for the last year. Didn't know about increasing load while accelerating... I've been trying to keep it as close to 21 as I could ALL THE TIME. From what I've come to understand, I should be trying for 5-10 under acceleration and then as close to 21 as I can while cruising? Couldn't find a BSFC chart for my engine.

[MetroMPG]

I was just being mean.

There's ONE Del Sol in my little city (green, 5-speed, not sure what year, not winter driven), and it reminds me of your build when I see it.

[Shortie771]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

I was just being mean.

There's ONE Del Sol in my little city (green, 5-speed, not sure what year, not winter driven), and it reminds me of your build when I see it.

In my city it's just me and one lady that drives a white one (automatic) surprisingly she lives about half a mile from me, so I see here every now and then. It isn't a common car, which is a big reason I wanted one.

[MetroMPG]

The one here is also lady-driven. Her other (winter) car is an older blue Fit.

I used to see them often... in her car port I walked by regularly. But she had a garage built in place of the car port so I don't get to see them nearly as much any more.

[Shortie771]

NEW PERSONAL RECORD!!!! I just beat my old best tank by 1mpg for a new record of 42.72mpg (41.6% over EPA) over a course of 362.6 miles. I didn't think I was going to make it due to the 15mph headwind, but I worked my butt (and foot) off to beat it! Not sure why it takes my fuel log graph so long to update.

A rock hauler must have figured out what I was trying to do and was nice enough to speed in front of me and bounce a rock into my windshield, I got his plate number and company name. I'll have to call him and thank him for the additional aero dimpling that helped me achieve my new record.