Quote:
Originally Posted by LeanBurn
Auto transmissions on the highway are no problem for most car built in the past 15 years. Fueleconomy.gov confirms that it is within 1mpg of the manual version. Today's cars are often showing an auto getting better on the highway than a manual. The city mileage is more of an issue but driven conservatively can also net great numbers.
-1.8l H4 engine swap <-(I would save this one for last...$$ and complicated, the car is no spring chicken)
-Higher gear ratio auto trans with auto OD/manual lockup, <--(what about taller tires to test first?)
-exhaust mods (better flow) <--(because at low throttle you need more flow? Most stock systems flow enough for an additional ~40hp, stock is fine)
-minor aero mods, <-----(grill block, front/full belly pan, wheel covers/skirts)
-weight reduction, <-(tough one if you want to retain close to full ability of car)
-lighter wheels, LRR (run flat???) tires, <---(Are the OEM aluminium lighter..try to get to 40psi)
-ScangaugeII or similar (possibly CarChip fleet with wireless download to laptop) <--(I have heard good things about Utragauge as well less$$, worth a search)
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Engine/trans swap are definitely a last ditch effort. As for tires/wheels, I already have the stock aluminum wheels on the car. However I would like to go lighter. Possibly switching to 14" with a taller profile (trying to keep the odometer and speedo reading as close to perfect as possible).
Weight reduction shouldn't be an issue. To me, full ability of the car (given what I plan to use it for) is the ability to throw all my necessary stuff in and still be able to have an air mattress to sleep on. I can deal without having a rear seat and can make a fiberglass or mdf shelf to cover the area the seat is in. I could probably even do away with the front passenger seat. I am the only one who is ever in the car at any given time (very rarely do I have passengers). Plus side is, by removing all of the seats except the driver's, I never have to be the one to drive everyone around
That should be worth some mpg's right there
For mpg monitoring, I am leaning towards the CarChip Fleet (or at least the Pro). I am a reseller for rallylights.com, and close friend of the owners, so getting one wouldn't be too bad $$$ wise
You nailed my thoughts on the aero mods almost perfectly, but I will save the rest for later
And I should have clarified a bit better on the exhaust. It isn't so much for better flow, more for the fact that I want to replace the cat that is on there, just in case (maintenance). Better safe than sorry, and while the exhaust looks pretty new I have no way of knowing how many miles are really on that cat. Figure it'd be a good time to install a hi flow cat and cut out the resonator, possibly change the muffler for a different (lower) tone.