Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum - EcoModder.com - View Single Post - Would you eco-mod a Mazda MX-3 ?

Pauldog · 09-09-2011, 01:41 PM

I have a 1992 1.6L 5-speed MX-3 that I'm likely to sell, because of all the brake repairs it needs. (Leaking brake lines, to start. It's also pretty damn ugly; I avoided washing it because that would remove more paint. Still fun to drive, though, except for the brakes.) I was very disappointed with the mileage (slightly over 30 at best), and thought that maybe it was the computer or something out of adjustment. The check engine light never went on.

I had a 1996 5-speed Protege DX with the 1.5L engine. It always seemed underpowered, but on long trips, even at 75-80 mph with the AC running, it came close to 40 mpg. That engine might be a good candidate for dropping into the MX-3.

The Protege must have had an economical final ratio, too. With the MX-3, on the other hand, I usually shift into 5th before reaching 45 mph.

Another thing might be to have an optimum ratio at a common city speed limit, so that you could stay in 4th gear at 30 or even 25 mph.

09-09-2011, 01:41 PM	#48 (permalink)
Pauldog EcoModding Lurker Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 1 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	What about the Mazda 1.5L engine? I have a 1992 1.6L 5-speed MX-3 that I'm likely to sell, because of all the brake repairs it needs. (Leaking brake lines, to start. It's also pretty damn ugly; I avoided washing it because that would remove more paint. Still fun to drive, though, except for the brakes.) I was very disappointed with the mileage (slightly over 30 at best), and thought that maybe it was the computer or something out of adjustment. The check engine light never went on. I had a 1996 5-speed Protege DX with the 1.5L engine. It always seemed underpowered, but on long trips, even at 75-80 mph with the AC running, it came close to 40 mpg. That engine might be a good candidate for dropping into the MX-3. The Protege must have had an economical final ratio, too. With the MX-3, on the other hand, I usually shift into 5th before reaching 45 mph. Another thing might be to have an optimum ratio at a common city speed limit, so that you could stay in 4th gear at 30 or even 25 mph.