Echo-Troll Modding Thread (2005 Toyota Echo)

[echo-francis]

this is a update with picture and some pic of old projects

this is my cabine heater


those are my oil pan and trans heaters




this is my water pump setup with the 4 diodes and a small mirror to see the water pump controler lights with just moving my head


this is my battery charger and my alt belt because I dont use my alt on small commute




this is my new project, a ajustable grill block

[blownb310]

I love the creativity and devotion to achieving your goals Francis. I look forward to seeing you and your Echo again at this June's S.M.C.C. Economy Run. If Darin doesn't participate this year we may have a chance to win.

Mike from NY [white 1.0L Metro]

[MetroMPG]

That's funny - I'm just at the stage of planning a very similar block for the Insight. Even the same bicycle cable idea.

[MetroMPG]

Oh, and I'm not planning to drive at this year's Montreal event, Mike!

[echo-francis]

small update, my trans oil heater really make a difference in my p&g when start driving

I did a time vs temperature test with my heaters
this test was done with no fire blanket and 3c outside and moderate wind

hour0, 3c outside
hour1, 10cia and 28cwt
hour2, 16cia and 36cwt
hour2.5, 19cia and 39cwt
hour3, 21cia and 40cwt

[totchi1]

hi Francis, your thead is very interesting. I drive a manual 2005 toyota echo just like your and I never did more than 430KM in one tank. I bought this car because I know it is economic but i tought I could do better than what I do. I found this site by searching tip for fuel economi on the internet and imagine my reaction when I saw a 2005 toyota echo on the main page of this site! how the hell can you do more than 1000Km in one tank as you did for your gaspesi trip? Is it all those crazy mods or is it more beacause of yout driving technics? could you do 800Km in one tank with my car? 80% of my commute are on the highway.

[HyperMileQC]

Hi totchi1,

I am not Francis, but his friend, and I can answer your question.

First thank you for your kind words! The first kilotank was done by driving at a constant speed, around ~80 km/h, and was done on the same Gaspésie trip as the one were we did 1163 km later.

The biggest tank, the 1163 km one, was done by going at a constant speed, around ~80 km/h for the first part, and with alot of P&EOC (Pusle and Engine Off Coasting) for the second part.

If your Echo is in good shape (machanicaly), I'm sure Francis and me could do a kilotank with it, only with driving techniques. The aeromods help for sure, but driving techniques is 80% of it.

Did you try P&G? And at what speed do you travel on hwy? What your tire pressure?
430 km on a tank is weird... I do ~750 km on 1 tank with my Mazda 3 (with a 55L tank tho).

[echo-francis]

430km seems low for a toyota echo. maybe your car is not in good shape. do the regular maintenance and mabe you will have better results. if thats not the problem maybe its you or your commute: a short commute will kill the fuel economy (look at my fuel log).if i would want to make 430km on a tank i would have to drive really fast(minimun 20 over de limit) accelerate and brake really hard in town. but i dont think you do that but if its the case, the problem is there.

i was able to do more than 1000km because i was ready to make a normaly 10hour trip in 14hour .all the mods i have are there because i am crazy and i allways want more and more... i think my mods count for about 25-30% of my amelioration thats means that the other 75-70% is from my driving style

i recomend you to read this
65+ Vehicle modifications for better fuel economy - EcoModder.com

and this
100+ Hypermiling / ecodriving tips & tactics for better mpg - EcoModder.com

and explore the forum because there is so many helpfull information

[ausias]

Congratulation for your fuel savings results. But...

Did you think to cut A-B-C pilars and take windows and the roof out?
I think you will reduce front surface area almost a 33%. Add some boattail to your trunk and maybe you get a cd near to plane one's.
You can add some coroplast with holes for passengers heads (wearing helmets) to reduce turbulence.
I predict a fuel consumption of about 2.0 L/100 km (117 mpg us) 60 mph or more.
Please, paint or wrap the whole thing the same. or add even more tape.

[echo-francis]

do I really have to answer that