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Old 06-09-2008, 03:19 PM   #6 (permalink)
iomatic
EcoModding Lurker
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: OR
Posts: 3

Civic Si - '07 Honda Civic Si
90 day: 22.26 mpg (US)
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@digitaldissent: I understand what you're saying, but some performance mods actually are more fuel-efficient. For example, in most cases, a race header (with a high-flow cat--no super-pollution for me either.) increases exhaust throughput and power, while not burning up more gas. Lighter wheels (unsprung weight) and shifting weight off the drivetrain increases performance by taking hindrances off the engine.

So, some of these mods are actually beneficial for mileage and performance; they are not mutually exclusive.

I should clarify that I'm not here to reduce my total carbon offset that I'm raising my own vegetables by rotating crops and outfitting used solar panels all over my roof... I do what I can, but I will still race my car on weekends, and drive like a granny on the weekdays (though I doubt many grannies hypermile and slipstream behind trucks 5-10 feet behind at >55 MPH, cruising in at highway speeds at neutral on off-ramps, and taking turns at speed).

Another great advantage of having a sports-oriented vehicle--though safe driving of course is the best choice--is that you can indeed eke out more mileage by having a perfomance-based vehicle with track capabilities to use perpetualized acceleration (e.g., coming off ramps), quick braking, coasting in neutral, and taking turns without fear at (hopefully reasonable ) speeds.

My thoughts are that a track-capable vehicle is safer in that regard (being able to use tight suspension, good tire grip, and driver skill), to pull off some of the more extreme hypermiling stunts (to a lesser, more safer degree).
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