10 MPG (61%) Improvement

[24601]

Performing no modifications (other than increased tire pressure) and utilizing only the most basic hypermiling techniques, my tank average has gone from 16.3 mpg (in line with EPA estimates) to 26.3 mpg ... and I'm still improving.

No P&G, no EOC needed.

30 mpg is becoming more and more of a reality for my 14 year old former police cruiser.

[Baltothewolf]

Just remember, the more you mod the car (like getting Taller gears >:l) the more fun you take out of the right foot when you want it.

Good job though, is this all freeway or a lot of city?

[24601]

Roughly 75% hwy - 25% city.

[elhigh]

Originally Posted by Baltothewolf

Just remember, the more you mod the car (like getting Taller gears >:l) the more fun you take out of the right foot when you want it.

Fun is relative.

24601, what's your final drive ratio? Any chance of swapping to something taller? [edit] I see on MB's page you state it's a 3.08.

Looking around, I don't know if you could find a taller ratio; that may be as good as it gets.

Middle 20s is good for those boats, nice work.

If you're suffering from a surplus of spare time, there's a couple of guys on YouTube who posted vids of their CV auto-to-manual conversions. Imagine your Panther with a Tremec 6060 with a .5 overdrive.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIYlZ4z6PKY

[24601]

Originally Posted by elhigh

24601, what's your final drive ratio? Any chance of swapping to something taller?

It has 3.55s right now. I've been contemplating swapping to 3.08s or the 2.73s that came in the civilian models.

There's actually a thread were it was being discussed.

[UltArc]

I run 2.73s. My only concern would be being able to switch into final gear with gearing that high.

[elhigh]

My bad, that must be in the "Planned Mods" heading.

Also apologies, didn't realize the splash photo for the YT vid was a guy giving the one-finger salute to his old tranny. I changed it something less offensive.

If Ultarc is concerned about the engine turning a 2.73 in top gear, that might be your barometer. His car weighs a lot less than a P71 and I would imagine has much, much better aero. Combine that with the fact his 3.7 produces more power than the Modular and taller gears may be off the table.

[edit again]
Well, digging around on crownvic.net I see 2.73 was a stock ratio behind the 4r70w tranny.

Playing in the sandbox of fantasy, a Tremec 6060 like from the Shelby 500 (crack your wallet WIIIIIDE) with the .5 OD, turning a 3.55 final, would give your Panther a tremendous leap off the line with the shorter final and deeper first gear. It would still be turning slower in top gear than your current setup and even about 10% slower than the 4r70W with the 2.73 final ratio.

[dirtydave]

What techniques are you using? That's a huge jump.
And what's next ?!#!

[MetroMPG]

Congrats, 24601!

That's a big savings in fuel volume/cost at that end of the MPG scale!

[24601]

Originally Posted by elhigh

[edit again]
Well, digging around on crownvic.net I see 2.73 was a stock ratio behind the 4r70w tranny.

Correct.

I've toyed with the idea of a tranny swap but it would take the right set of circumstances for that to happen.