Quote:
Originally Posted by MarkM66
So you completely removed the alternator, or just have in on a switch?
Nice work. Any pictures?
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I just have it disconnected via plug right now. It free wheels and improves my mileage somewhere in the 1-1.5mpg range (some folks are reporting much higher). Since it is a single wire, I will eventually wire up a toggle switch inside the cab so I can kill it on the highway and flip it on whenever I am on a descent where I am coasting. I have also noticed that my mileage severely drops if the battery is ever allowed to fall below 11.2 or 11.1 volts. I'm sure at this range that it makes the coils and/or plugs become less efficient.
"You're doing very well! I have the same engine in the sunfire, but with my automatic transmission its hard to achieve the mileage you're getting."
I imagine you must have the 3 speed then. I have no idea why GM thought it was a good idea to pair the 2.2 to a 3 speed. My neighbor has a Sunfire with the OD tranny, he says that he usually returns 32-35 on trips.
I've also dreamed about getting a Sunfire with manual everything, stripping the interior/door panels/seats/sound deadening, dropping a mildly built 2.2 Ecotec (no ps, air conditioning, etc) with a manual tranny and see what I could do for fuel economy. I'll bet a totally stripped Sunfire could get down to around 2,000lbs...coupled with a 135-175hp motor and a tall overdrive would be good for 60mpg with plenty of zip when one got on it.