2011 MPG totals and 2012 goals (what are your planned mods & MPG targets?)

[skyking]

I'm in the "new guy with no expectations" group
I have not begun on my normal driver, a 98 camry. So there is goal #1, get a baseline and start improving the camry.
The truck is not complete. Goal #2 is finish the bumpers, front dam, grill, and belly pan on the truck.
The real stretch goal? Get the trailer design on paper, and get started.

[Enki]

Non mileage goals:
1. Obtain new flow matched intake manifold, install
2. Finish fabrication of liquid/air intercooler, blow through MAF setup, and custom intake setup, and install (this all pending #1)
3. Figure out high pressure fuel pump e85 issues and resolve them
4. Finish my book
5. Socks
6. ???
7. Profit.

[PeterS]

New years aims ? Complete the biodiesel setup and get producing . As I only have to buy 20% by volume methanol and sodium hydroxide I think I can claim a x4.5 increase over fossil diesel .The 240D Merc gets 30mpg so 4.5x30mpg=135 mpg .That will be just fine !

[stilettoman]

I have a 1996 3 cyl Metro with a partially built turbo system but that is on the back burner, may get back to it this year.

I have been a Rotorhead for almost 30 years, lots of RX-7s and other rotary cars, but they all seemed to get 20 mpg. I think it is time to move on to a more modern concept. I recently sold the ported rotary engine and trans package from my 1984 RX-7, and for only slightly more money I got a complete front clip from an early 90s Skyline. We ran it and now are just getting ready to remove the engine from the clip and do a first trial fitting. It will be a tight fit. This is a 2.0 twin cam turbocharged straight six, rated at 212 hp. We expect the car to weigh about 2500 lbs. My goal is to fiddle with the injection and hopefully get 30 mpg. That may not sound like much, but it is all relative -----

Go to youtube and search for "RX7 - Skyline - Part 1 (RB20DET) 1st Gen"

[ron]

well for myself Im going to work on driving techniques, make an aero nose, (foam and fiberglass) will be the big project this year only ave. 16.7mpg last rear. Not Good. this rear 10 or 20% increase should be possible

[xDhacker]

Last year I started tracking my fuel economy using my iPhone. Found out my cars computer was lying to me by about 2 mpg on average. I was able to bring my mileage up from 37 to 39.5 by driving the speed limit and accelerating more slowly. Would like to make some modifications but don't really know what to start with. I have also reduced my driving distance by taking a more direct path. My yearly driving is in excess of 45K miles.

[skyking]

Originally Posted by stilettoman

I have a 1996 3 cyl Metro with a partially built turbo system but that is on the back burner, may get back to it this year.

I have been a Rotorhead for almost 30 years, lots of RX-7s and other rotary cars, but they all seemed to get 20 mpg. I think it is time to move on to a more modern concept. I recently sold the ported rotary engine and trans package from my 1984 RX-7, and for only slightly more money I got a complete front clip from an early 90s Skyline. We ran it and now are just getting ready to remove the engine from the clip and do a first trial fitting. It will be a tight fit. This is a 2.0 twin cam turbocharged straight six, rated at 212 hp. We expect the car to weigh about 2500 lbs. My goal is to fiddle with the injection and hopefully get 30 mpg. That may not sound like much, but it is all relative -----

Go to youtube and search for "RX7 - Skyline - Part 1 (RB20DET) 1st Gen"

Sounds like a great project. Those rotarys are a wonder in power to weight, compact, huge RPM range. They all do suck the fuel, I've never heard of one much over 20 MPG.

[bwilson4web]

For 2011 until the end of October 2011:

• 52 MPG - 1.5L, 2003 Prius
• 52 MPG - 1.8L, 2010 Prius

For 2012, I have a new project, a 1.8L:


After inspecting it on one trip, I bought it and needed to get it from Canton IL to Huntsville AL. First I got a trailer and modified it:


I then drove our 1.8L, Prius, 600 miles:

38 MPG at 62-63 mph.

We loaded the plane, in a cold rain, and I drove it back through the wind and rain over the Thanksgiving weekend including one sleep-over:


getting 28 MPG at 53-54 mph.

So the plane is in Huntsville and stored in a 10ft x 10ft x30ft, rented shed:

Notice the wings are hanging from the rafters . . . a hangar.

I began converting the shed into a proper aircraft rebuild and repair facility. This includes a 'wing ladder' that lets me move the wing about as needed:

The "A" frames have a padded sling and is built so the hydraulic lift platform can slide under and roll it about:


Since there is no power, I'm using my Prius powered, 1 kW inverter:


I'm finishing the legs and the whole table will be on dollies so I can work on either side.

The Prius powered, inverter provides 9A, 110 VAC to power the lights and hand tools. So I built a canard-fitted dolly for the fuselage:

The shed is just large enough provided everything can be moved about by one person. Being able to move things about easily and use the space efficiently is the key to success.

So I've been 'distracted' working on a two-seat, VW powered airplane with exceptional performance:

Roughly 55 MPG @110 mph and 40-50 MPG @140 mph depending upon altitude. My project log has more details.

As for 2012:

• 40-45 MPG - 1.5L Prius due to powering aircraft repair shed
• 45-50 MPG - 1.8L Prius due to towing aircraft as needed
• parked - 1.8L Dragonfly undergoing rebuild/repair

Bob Wilson

ps. You asked.

[badbent]

Well, it looks like 2012 is going to be a different year, eh.

2011 started with 44-47 mpg and was 54-56 in the summer.

I switched to non-ethanol and my worst tank so far for 2012 is 51.1 mpg for "winter blend" and sub 35 deg. F (1.6C) high temps.

It's a 1991 Geo driven at 5,000' elevation (1,524 M). Lowered, air dam, 3Tech 218/350 street/race cam, WAI, header, flow-through cat w/glasspack, moon disks, front studded 12" tires, Mobil1, vortex generators, sealed hood and slightly wider front fender (direct air around wheels),

[NeilBlanchard]

That is a sleek plane, Bob! A friend of mine is building a Sonex in his basement. Makes building a car pretty easy by comparison!

I'm intending to start actual construction of my CarBEN EV5. I am working full time now on the drafting of the 1 15/16" thick sections. My blog is in my signature.