Master list of 65+ proven mods for increasing MPG

[FunkSkunk]

Does carrying a bike in the back count as a mod? I throw my BMX in my Metro for commuting around campus at the university. Saves a lot of time walking and I can always find a parking space.

[MetroMPG]

I'd call that a hypermiling / ecodriving tactic. In fact, it's on that list.

[Andyman]

Here are a few engine problems that hurt fuel economy:

... http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...nomy-5322.html

[MetroMPG]

Andyman - that's a good list, threadworthy on its own.

Hope you don't mind I moved it here: http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...nomy-5322.html).

I'll link to it from the mods list.

Maybe we can add to it with other common, non-engine related problems.

EDIT: added to the mods list and linked - permalink

[Formula413]

I can't recall seeing this tip anywhere, maybe I missed it...I use Rain-X interior glass anti-fog on all my interior glass, which allows me to use defrosting less or not at all depending on conditions. This certainly helps FE since defrosting involves either running the fan AND A/C compressor together, or running the electric defroster for the rear window which draws a lot of power. There is also a similar product called Never Fog.

[orange4boy]

There are a few windshield wiper tips you could add:

Vertical windshield wipers for better aero. A switch mod lets you stop them where you want them.

Teflon wiper blades reduce friction and last longer. Lower amps.

The Rain-X exterior also reduces wiper friction and allows less wiper useage and reduces the amp draw slightly

Your blades and the wiper assembly and motor will also last longer.

So many mods, so little time.

[jonathanzoomer]

This is a great list. If anyone is curious as to what actual, concrete impact these mods and a few others will have on your MPG, I'm working on a project wherein we sent Illuminati Motor Works (one of the teams competing for the automotive X Prize) two Hyundais to test out most known mods to gauge their impact on fuel economy.

They're recording the results and doing cost-benefit analysis here.

[lyd]

Originally Posted by jonathanzoomer

This is a great list. If anyone is curious as to what actual, concrete impact these mods and a few others will have on your MPG, I'm working on a project wherein we sent Illuminati Motor Works (one of the teams competing for the automotive X Prize) two Hyundais to test out most known mods to gauge their impact on fuel economy.

They're recording the results and doing cost-benefit analysis here.

My initial responses to this are:

1. Cool!

2. That blog is a horrible way to present the resulting information. I hope something more tabular is forthcoming.

3. Still, cool!

[Andyman]

I haven't seen any mention of engine coatings on ecomodder. I read articles that said that a Chevrolet V8 racing engine can gain 40 HP by coating pistons and combustion chambers with a thermal barrier coating. That is roughly a 6.6% improvement in power. I had a phone conversation with somebody who worked at Swain Tech. He told me that an engine with coated pistons and combustion chambers should have about 5% better fuel economy than a normal engine. Here is some information from Swain Tech about their coatings. Coatings Get Technical

This is not an inexpensive modification. Several years ago it cost $40 to coat each piston. I think the price has gone down since then. Techline Coatings has a product called CBC1 POWERKOTE (Cermet Coating Thermal barrier) that can be applied at home. The coated parts need to be cooked in an oven at 300 degrees for an hour. It costs $29.95 for a 3 oz. bottle. I guess that is enough for one engine.

I found a list of the engine coating companies here:

ENGINE COATINGS - A REFERENCE THREAD - Speed Talk

This is the list of companies from that forum:

HPC ---- http://www.hpcoatings.com/
Jet hot ----- JETHOT
Swain Tech ----- Swain Tech
Tech line Coatings ---- Techline Coatings

A heat barrier coating should also improve the reliability of engines. The coated parts should be more resistant to overheating and cracking.

[Daox]

Those seem like high estimates IMO. I've looked into coatings. I'd like to see some actual dyno testing with no changes to the engine other than the coating.

I don't doubt the coatings can be used to help run a higher compression and thus increase thermal efficiency, but now you're talking doing more than just coating.