Thanks for hosting a great site with serious modders! Sorry for the long-winded first post, but it summarizes my interests and reason for joining.
I am glad to finally find a serious site around this subject. Yes, I originally followed a link for the aerocivic.
My last purchase of a mazdaspeed3 may not have been the best eco-purchase, but I'm always looking at ways to optimize what I have. I selected the MS3 because it stayed with 2-wheel drive and a stick, a small (and maybe misguided) justification.
Most of the modifications I seen (before this site) were intake/exhaust mods. They increase horse power, but will they allow me to run at highway speeds more efficiently? And what about emissions?
I will be looking at whether those mods help with normal driving or just peak performance.
I have many questions, but I will read through this site before asking too much.
A few interests:
EVs - waiting on battery technology to improve, hoping for the best by Googling "10 fold battery research nanowires"
Solar - technology is improving there, but don't have the link. I have always wanted a solar panel on my roof, or where ever it adds benefit to power the electronics. Should be less pull from the alternator and less drain on the "system". Google "detroit auto show 2008 solar panel prototype" for the A-BAT "solar panels on the dashboard" and the Cadillac Provoq solar panels "helps power accessories"
Lightweight components - It is hard to decipher whether some parts provide eco-benefit or just performance. flywheels, clutches, wheels, tires, carbon fiber, shafts, plumming, motor, etc - I'm sure I will learn about plenty of alternatives here.
Mechanical efficiency - my research so far has centered around lightweight components, but if 2WD is more efficient than AWD, why not go with 1WD? I followed the link for the "Mitsubishi i MiEV Sport (2007)". Nice stuff.
3 Wheeled enclosed vehicles - motorcycle-like feel with some protection. I saw a caravan of three or more very new looking ones run through Atlanta in 2005 or so.
Aerodynamics - first article that really peaked my interest -
Mercedes-Benz Bionic Car - Cd value of 0.19
http://www.daimler.com/dccom/0-5-715...0-0-0-0-0.html
Other technologies - cylinder cut offs, direct injection, variable valve timing advances
Gadgets (not) - everything I have read indicates that most mpg gadgets are worthless. I am still trying to locate the product testing results on the EPA website.
My perfect eco-vehicle of the future would be something that combined the best of many things: a Lotus Elise stripped of performance parts selection, use of future solar panels and batteries, high aerodynamics, with every possible
For now, I appreciate telecommuting twice a week and working on increasing that percentage, but I do have to heat the house more
