Quote:
Originally Posted by DamageX
looks pretty fine for a $200 car. I wouldn`t be surprised if your actual MPG is better than what it says on the gauge.
|
Interesting, I think the speed is accurate, I check by setting the computer to chime when I hit a certain speed (Will set in 1mph increments up to 120+ I think), then setting the cruise control and running by a radar speed sign.
That leaves the calculations for the injection pulse width suspect, or the accuracy of the analog guage. I am afraid I don't have the proper harness for the in-dash computer, so it isn't displaying the average MPG currently.
Quote:
Originally Posted by DamageX
I don`t think 13" wheels will fit on the front of the e30 3-series.
|
True, I haven't looked into smaller front brakes, although a 4 cylinder car may be a better place to start. I don't understand why un-sprung weight is such a hard concept to grasp for the majority of the population. I live 45 minutes from what could be called a city, and half the cars/trucks in town are on some kind of chrome monstrosities.
Quote:
Originally Posted by DamageX
If you have the 14"x6" wheels maybe you could find 175/70 tires,
|
That is a good idea . . .
Quote:
Originally Posted by DamageX
but 185/65 are probably a better compromise between traction/handling and economy.
|
I agree, I would love 185/65-14 all the way around, I like the look of the ones I have now. I probably would be fine with those in the front, but I would like some 195/60 in the rear, but on a 6.5 inch wide rim so the tire sidewall looks the same front and rear. 195 is the stock tire width, I am not sure of the aspect off-hand, just that it is around 2 inches taller than the 185/65-14s.
Modifications I would love:
Pedal power or electric hybrid for stop and go or "fast-food" drive thru. I was stuck in Taco Bell today for a while and wound up restarting the car two or three times.
Honda S2000 or Miata drivetrain (I have seen a 2.0 block from some kind of SUV that is supposed to bolt up to the Miata head/transmission with a little work.) Lighter, plenty of power, even from the stock Miata, if I lighten the car up. Installing a Miata engine would be a good place to start I think.
Urethane rear subframe and trailing arm bushings ($160 shipped on eBay, I keep watching the auction every re-list). I think the rear suspension isn't what it could be, I get squeaking and some odd rear steering, I think one or both of the subframe bushings are torn out. I packed them with strips of timing belt and put a half a hockey puck on top of them, they move around less, but it still can't be good.
Lose the power steering, cuts a lot of weight and complexity. If I am feeling masochistic I can put in an e36 rack with a quicker ratio for better steering feel. Go with 175 or 185 tires in the front paired with a light 4cyl and I am sure it will be livable.
Get rid of the oil cooler, I am not sure what it is doing to help, but then the dog days of summer aren't here yet. Maybe replace it with a water/oil intercooler I have from a VW. Changing to a 4cyl would let me get rid of it no problem.
Mini Alternator with low output. I already have HID headlights, supposedly once lit they draw 35w apiece. Or switch to a battery drain system and only charge at home, with the alternator for emergency backup?
Clean up the front end with covers for the vents and radiators. Maybe even movable air dams.
Keep air out from under the car, some folks run a lower lip from a Volvo, looks dumb but available for $x instead of $xxx.
I have a B/W security camera I picked up for $1, and a in-car screen I bought for $10 I believe, it has a mirrored option so I could use it as my mirror and ditch the side mirrors. I already took out the powered antenna and used a plastic hole plug from the hardware store to cover the hole, I think they are $0.45 or something less than a dollar.
This car has a rain drip rail along both sides of the windshield, I think you can fill it in with a plastic or rubber piece and get cleaner airflow. This is something the first VW GTi was purported to use in Europe/The UK.
The hood has a fairly big panel gap on each side, there is an M3 weatherstrip that fills the gap for better airflow.
I am not averse to moon covers or wheel fairings.
A titanium exhaust is out of the budget, but I think a single exhaust instead of Dual is lighter. Obviously that isn't legal without an engine swap, the catalytic converter is a OEM only California required item with dual in and dual out.