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Toby · 03-06-2010, 02:32 PM

Greetings ecomodders. I'm starting this thread to enhance my motivation to continue ecomodding my 1996 Toyota Tercel.

I have a >95% highway, 84 mile round trip commute five days per week. The savings the operation of the Tercel has provided over my 1995 Nissan 4x4 pickup are monumental already. Reducing emissions and fun are really my main motivations for further efforts to improve the Tercel's FE performance.

I give you, the Terceleporter:

So far, I've deleted the spoiler, passenger side mirror, and trunk sound proofing. And I've made pizza pan wheel cover covers. The tires are 155's at >50 psi, which has probably been the biggest non-driver improvement so far.

I've also made a grille block:

I'm anxious to get a Scangauge. I also would very much like to execute an alternator field cutoff. I've got my eye out for cheap deep cycle batteries. But I think both of these will be waiting as I'm flirting with purchasing a house.

My car has a 4 speed manual transmission. I hope to swap in a 5 speed, possibly with modded gearing at some point. But for the near future, the main mechanical mod I would like to attempt is switching over to manual steering. If anyone has any information regarding this topic specific to my model, I'd love to hear it.

I actually hate working on cars. I commuted solely by bicycle for years, and would still do so except for major life changes recently. I love to watch creative problem solvers at work, so this forum is a lot of fun for me.

03-06-2010, 02:32 PM	#1 (permalink)
Toby downhill both ways Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Missouri, United States Posts: 45 Terceleporter - '96 Toyota Tercel STD 90 day: 52.6 mpg (US) Thanks: 2 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	1996 Toyota Tercel Ecomodification Greetings ecomodders. I'm starting this thread to enhance my motivation to continue ecomodding my 1996 Toyota Tercel. I have a >95% highway, 84 mile round trip commute five days per week. The savings the operation of the Tercel has provided over my 1995 Nissan 4x4 pickup are monumental already. Reducing emissions and fun are really my main motivations for further efforts to improve the Tercel's FE performance. I give you, the Terceleporter: So far, I've deleted the spoiler, passenger side mirror, and trunk sound proofing. And I've made pizza pan wheel cover covers. The tires are 155's at >50 psi, which has probably been the biggest non-driver improvement so far. I've also made a grille block: I'm anxious to get a Scangauge. I also would very much like to execute an alternator field cutoff. I've got my eye out for cheap deep cycle batteries. But I think both of these will be waiting as I'm flirting with purchasing a house. My car has a 4 speed manual transmission. I hope to swap in a 5 speed, possibly with modded gearing at some point. But for the near future, the main mechanical mod I would like to attempt is switching over to manual steering. If anyone has any information regarding this topic specific to my model, I'd love to hear it. I actually hate working on cars. I commuted solely by bicycle for years, and would still do so except for major life changes recently. I love to watch creative problem solvers at work, so this forum is a lot of fun for me. Last edited by Toby; 03-06-2010 at 03:05 PM..