[Larco]

Hi there!
Been a silent member since 2010. Located in outskirts of Stockholm Sweden.

A few years ago I have had a 2001 Grand Vitara with the 2.5l V6 which i modifyed a bit. change the engine to a 2,7 liter and fabricated diy long tube headers about 1 meter long and som other smaller stuff. Loved the platform in many ways but my needs changed, the economy did not do it any favors at the time and it wasnt the extended 5-seat (XL7) variant so it was to small for my liking. Sold it 2018 i think.

Recently I found my self in need/"want" of buying a car. I found a grand vitara XL7 5-seater pre facelift, which fits many practical "wants" of my but the fuel economy of the V6 isnt the best. Which leads me to this post.

What can be improved FC-wise?
And how much could be gained.
What are the biggest efficiency pits that i perhaps can correct?
Some low hanging fruit?

I'm guessing the worst FE enemies is
*The V6 has alot of internal friction (each cylinder ads up).
*auto transmission.
*HD-drivetrain
*235/60-16 tires (205 would probably be enough)

Aero is probably horrible.
- underside is very dirty with the ladderframe etc. Would putting a full flat aero underbody on it account for something? Max driving speeds is probably 110km/h or lower.
- Minimising rear wake should be doable with some kind och box extension on the boot lid?
- minimising och variable cooling intake and changing to electrical fan.
- Taking of the roof rails
- Side mirrors will probably stay as original to not loose the practicality when reversing but mayby the can be replaced with som 360 camera system if one exists.
- Lowering 1-2 inches might be in place because im mostly using it as a wagon for transportation and not offroading so gound clearence is not of an imidiet concern. This will make the wheel gap to arch smaller also.
- Wide body arces will probably stay but perhaps i can reshape with aero in mind.

Engine and drivetrain
- Engine probobably cant get much more efficient without replacing the V6 with a 2l 3-4 cylinder which will not happen in the near future.
- Might a swichable warm air intake do anything for me?
- Manual front hubs to disengage front 4WD axle some say can help FC but i do not know how much but i would allow me to use the low range without 4wd which i always wantet to be able to when low speed maneuwering woth a trailer. but i would like to keep 4wd for the snow months.
- Changing the tires from 235 with to 215 might be worth sometning. I did get 215 winter tires on my last car seemed to balance the incresed winter FC somewat.
- Gaspowered engine heater for the winter month. i do not have an electrical outlet most of the time.


I know it is not the best ecomodder platform but THIS thread is more of a what can be done to THIS model to lower the FC losses to enjoy it more. I'd rather spend Money improving the car than paying for gasoline.
I know the gains is hard to come by but perhaps 10-20 % gain would be possible at least.
I've read all guides on the site.

Please see the attached Pictures of the car in question.

Thanks for your input.