Driving an '84 Celica instead of a Suburban - cut fuel use in half

[Sporty Modder]

Well I have done it. My Suburban gets between 12 +14 mpg best ever 14.5 mpg. I bought a 1984 Toyota Celica about a 6 weeks ago and have gotten it running pretty good now with three tanks through it now.

I got my best tank to date @just over 26 mpg almost double what my Sub gets.
I replaced the cat about half way through the tank, wow what a differance.
The car is still not running @100% but it is getting there. My goal is to get 30 mpg combined maybe 40 w 100% highway.

[Neen]

You have pics of the old Celica? Love me some vintage Japan cars! 40's may be tough as you are rocking the 22R engine (I believe) which is actually a pretty big 4. You would need to regear teh heck out of that thing to get RPMs way down and make it as streamline as possible.

[Sporty Modder]

Your right 22r motor a whole 105hp 135 lb tq though. 3.36 rear end, so its aready geared pretty high.
Here are some pics old li plate on rear.

It is very low. Notice the stock ford explorer behind the car.

I want to get a pic of it next to a prius.

[rmay635703]

Ah, its a manual, I would EOC the crap out of a car like that with a big motor. Makes my 2.2 look tiny!.

P&G is well worth a look, on something like that I would imagine a 100% improvement in FE in the 15-35mph coasting range.

I am uncertain but P&G may be possible in the 35-50mph area as well.

Otherwise the only tip I can offer is drive slow in top gear.

Not sure if this is even possible but the guy next door to me had a 1960's 6000lb carb'd 5.2ltr v8 Dodge utility truck running 18-20mpg highway. (it was significantly worse around town)

He had a 5sp stick and had leaned the carb until his exhaust pipe tips were white.

Maybe if you are carb'd you might be able to tune it a bit leaner. Many 4 banger carb'd cars lean toward rich most of the time so this could get you better FE by being near stoich more of the time.

http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...gts-21369.html

Cheers
Ryan

[Sporty Modder]

It has Efi 1 st gen version with a 1 wire o2 sensor, i have been eoc and popping the clutch to restart. I just picked up a eletric fan to replace the worn out clutch fan.
Planning to visit my family near Boise over memorial day weekend. 4 passes to go over will report on 100% highway driving.

[taco]

i was bout ready to ask what carb u running but nevermind. mmt 81 4wd pickup has the 22r.

that is a nice celica. i really like the rims and flares.

[Sporty Modder]

Thankyou guys I am falling in love with this car. Its been suggested i remove the flares and sell the rims. I cant bring myself to do it plus I just bought new tires I plan on adding a rear supra spoiler or bonneville style i havent decided yet. I def dont want to ruin the look. Thankyou for looking, updates coming.

[vrmilionzx]

If you do decide to sell the rims - consider some Rota Slipstreams. That's what I'm likely going to look for. They're nice and light, and relatively cheap considering the weight savings. Also, you could have your new tires swapped onto there....

[Sporty Modder]

I googled those very nice looking.
2problems though. Wrong bolt pattern, and wrong offset. My bolt pattern is 114.3 x 4 offset is -8. When I get new rims I will probbably get these in 15x 8.
XXR 002 Old School JDM
Or these
XXR Old School JDM

[Neen]

Do NOT sell the flares or the rims...these Celicas are beautiful cars and knowing that someone purposefully cannabalized one for an MPG would damn near kill me (kidding and dramatic)

I have never seen that gen celica where the headlights are hidden. Most of them came pointing skyward and then would rotate down when 'activated'...I like the look of yours.

You should look into replacing that front left turn signal and repainting/refinishing your grill pieces. It's a great looking car and with a bit of elbow grease will turn a lot of heads. Do a tune-up and make sure your timing chain guides are good and you'll have a car that'll last you well over 200K miles. I wouldn't expect record breaking MPG numbers but honestly, modern fuel-mizers don't have the 80's charm that your ride does. Keep it stock looking IMHO.

How's the interior? Red? Blue? Pics please!