47% increase in mileage the easy way
 

In November I bought a $400 1984 Volvo. Three tanks yielded 16.25 mpg. I tinkered with it for a bit and sold it $550, because I was offered an MX-3 for $400. My first tank (including an extra partial fill) yielded 23.9 mpg. Keep in mind that my commutes are 4 miles each way and the MX-3's thermostat is stuck open, so it's always cold.

This has been a simple exercise in ecomodding by switching vehicles. I think there can be a lot to be said about that.

Oh, and I would ride my bicycle but the bike routes to work are basically non-existant. And whatever routes I can find are loaded with nails and broken glass. And it rains steady from November to March. Excuses excuses.

The thermostat takes like 5mins to change and you'll save the cost in a tank and a half.

(Section E1 page 9)

I'm well aware of that. But I'm yanking the engine out in a month, so I couldn't be bothered.

I hope you're not getting rid of the 1.8 ltr V6!

Nah, it's the 1.6. I'm replacing it with a Prestolite!

I notice you are thinking of converting your MX-3 to an EV !

We think alike.

http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...3-a-15815.html

This was posted over three years ago :

http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...hape-5924.html

So an MX-3EV is in the works?

Say 10 miles average commute daily. You would still have range even in a low voltage electric.

Keep us posted if you dive in!

Yes, and not because I specifically chose the MX-3 as "the perfect glider" or anything. Like I said in my first post, it was offered the car for really cheap so I jumped on the opportunity. I was actually collecting EV parts for the Volvo, but the MX-3 make A LOT more sense for an EV conversion.

I have most of my bits ready to go. Motor, 72V golfcart-style controller, batteries, battery cables, chargers, meters, contactor, etc. My goals reflect my beer budget: 10 mile range and 40 mph. Much inspiration from Ben Nelson's Electrometro, Darin's Forkenswift and Paul Holmes' Beetle. The cheaper the better. So far I'm into it for $1735 including the car.

Here's the parts collecting thread: http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...gun-19957.html

The day I tear the engine out is the day the build thread will begin.

I quite driving my 88 F150 4x4 every day which got 13mpg on a good day. Now I drive my 93 Escort which is averaging right around the 40mpg mark per tank. HUGE difference and Im lovin it!
Matt

It's a good feeling, that's for sure. Especially when you haven't spend any/much money on your fuel economy "mod".

My first experience with car downsizing was when I was just out of high school. I sold my [free] 1979 Volare and took out a bank loan to buy a [then 7 year old] 1992 Toyota Tercel. Not that the Volare was horrible on fuel for what it was - a 318 "lean burn" who's wonky distributor I replaced with a normal one from a van at a junk yard. From what fuel calculations I actually did at that time, I averaged 20 mpg with it. But the Tercel got 38 mpg, which more than offset my payments on it. Plus, the Tercel was way more fun to drive and er...well...reliable.