Plugs & Wires, MPG gain... take it as you will - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

RandomFact314 · 10-13-2009, 03:33 PM

Got new spark plugs and spark plug wires.

One plug and wire was particularly pretty screwed cuz the RETARDS who put the 1 spark plug wire in put in one that was NOT for a neon... and I know this b/c it was SHAVED down to fit in the barrel where the spark plug is.... I KNOW RETARDED RIGHT?!?!

I knew that one looked weird from outside appearance but they claimed it was the same so I went with it... It rusted the inside of the wire, the plug and some of the barrel...

Anyways... I replaced them & my MPG went up i'd say about 1/2 to 1 MPG but I know how you guys are, you will say I just got lucky missing a few lights or drove in better weather or something haha

dont beat me up for that comment

Anyways in the snip it shows all the MPGs that would be consistent w/ each other (How I was driving, weather, exc...) and you see the 10/10 one went up a little...

Frank Lee · 10-13-2009, 06:43 PM

Obviously if you fix a misfire you improve fe.

But if you take a perfectly functioning stock system and add miracle wires/plugs/whatever and claim fe increases, prepare for critiques.

RandomFact314 · 10-13-2009, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

Obviously if you fix a misfire you improve fe.

But if you take a perfectly functioning stock system and add miracle wires/plugs/whatever and claim fe increases, prepare for critiques.

Well while I was ideling sometimes it would dip and act like it was going to turn off so I pretty much just hoped that it was the wires or plugs and they were so yeah... It was also jumping a little down the highway too but im not sure if that went away, I have not notice it do it yet so maybe that was it too...

Christ · 10-14-2009, 12:50 AM

A tune-up does wonders for an engine. You might do well to spray clean your engine now, since you're aware of a misfire condition in it's history. You'll want to take a spray bottle full of water, and lightly mist it into the intake with the throttle partially open.

The alternative is just to use some SeaFoam as per the directions on the can, which might appease any fear of water in the engine you have.

As far as the shaved spark plug wire, I've seen/done similar. I got plug wires for the wrong Honda engine before, and just trimmed them up to fit on the engine that I was using. It happens, and if you're good, and use dielectric silicone grease, it doesn't cause a problem. In your case, well... you see.

Unfortunately for your mileage increase, you've also been testing a partial grille block, and one tank just isn't enough to show a marked improvement. Your "improvement" is well within the margin of error, and thus, could be counted as variation. What you'll need for proof is a sustained improvement over an average of tanks.

While I'm not doubting that you got something from doing this, I also want you to know and be prepared for what will undoubtedly be recognized by others.

RandomFact314 · 10-18-2009, 02:24 PM

Wow, I was hoping for a good consistent next fuel log but instead I hit an all time low??

3MPG less? Is there an explanation for this or do you think it was just having bad luck with lights or something?

metroschultz · 10-19-2009, 09:35 AM

Perhaps a light issue, or the first tank on winter gas.
Stuff happens, that is why you need long time records to show an improvement trend.

RandomFact314 · 10-20-2009, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by metroschultz

Perhaps a light issue, or the first tank on winter gas.
Stuff happens, that is why you need long time records to show an improvement trend.

Hmm, I didn't think of that at all... Thanks

RandomFact314 · 10-29-2009, 11:06 AM

My fuel logs are going back to the mid 28s again... YAY! I blame it on the plugs, wires, and getting the other 2 LRR tires I was missing... BTW I put on a full grill block recently, maybe it will help a little

RandomFact314 · 10-29-2009, 11:08 AM

I know it has a little bit of a gap at the bottom, its only my second grill block, get off my back

I think it looks cool

I'v also been trying a little harder to hypermile better so maybe I will get a good next fuel log

Old Tele man · 10-29-2009, 04:59 PM

...new plugs & wires = putting things BACK to where they're SUPPOSED to be, which just gets you BACK to 100%-optimal efficiency...anything goes wrong and you're DOWN to less than optimal.

...count the LRR tires as ABOVE 100% because they weren't OEM on the car, they're a BONUS over that 100%-optimal benchmark.

...count the grill block as ABOVE too, if it works well enough (some changes are only subtle).