Hey guys,
Been lurking on the forums unregistered for a while and learning lots of ideas on modifications to both car and driving habits. Figured it was time to jump on and take the next step in learning how to optimize my fuel savings.
04 Dodge Neon
I bought this new off the lot. Since, it has seen many upgrades... and downgrades... over the years. To sum it up, I start this advanture with the SRT-4 suspension to make it handle a little better, urethane bushings, wider tires for more grip, the magnum intake system (2-stage intake), magnum exhaust header, aftermarket mufflers (glasspack + muffler... I don't like loud exhaust), under drive pulley, and cold air intake.
After moving from the far side of my small town to much closer, I noticed that my MPG went down to about 27-28MPG. I knew I needed a change in order to regain some lost savings. After reading on another forum on how a belly pan helped that person's Evo run a few more MPH in the 1/4, I wanted to see what aerodynamic mods people have been using to help with this.
This turned me to this site, where I started reading how people were getting crazy MPG numbers out of their cars. I read a few how-to's, random posts, etc. and decided to give it a try. I taped up some of my grill, removed my rear wing, inflated my tires to their highest rating of I think 44psi, and tried coasting to stops, some times with the engine off. I don't do much highway, but did 55 when I did. That next fill-up left me in some shock as it showed 38MPG! I have never hit such a high number, and this was still 2/3 or so city driving!
Since then, I only have averaged about 36MPG with a lowest of 34.5. I removed the cold air potion of the instake system (intake filter out of fender well and into engine bay), built further duct blocks and a larger air damn... but JUST installed the ScanGauge the other day. Finding some very interesting information about my car and my driving with that!
89 Dodge Caravan 2.5L Turbo
I have been building this beast for a few years. It's around 300whp right now, with an upgraded turbo, fuel delivery, computer... just a lot done to it
But it drove me nuts that it took 17MPG and a best of 19MPG since I did all the mods, on premium
So, I started trying out some of these hypermiling techniques to it.
This was a little harder to do, since it is a 3 speed automatic w/o lockup and has a VERY hard time starting up... so turning off the engine to coast was a big no-no. I also do a lot of hauling with it... band equipment, tools, bales of hay... it does it all. Also, towing! So it is my hard-core utility race car. And finally, the thing that kills it... I didn't build this thing for MPG, so I have to make sure the WOT function works on occasion
Anywho, after taking a few trips and plenty of city driving, I did come up with 21MPG. This is definitely impressive VS the 17mpg I usually get. I know there is plenty of room for improvement, but all in good time.
To sum it up
So I wanted to thank you guys for posting such awesome information on helping me to get better MPG.