1996 Pontiac Sunfire owner

[Rishar]

Hello everyone!

I've perused the forums here on and off and have finally decided to register. Haven't seen a whole lot for the Sunfire's so hopefully anything I do can be a good addition.

Any suggestions that can be given would be appreciated. Both for the forum and vehicle.

Just recently been playing with P&G techniques (partly why I finally registered). Using a rooted nook color running android and an app called Torque to monitor Avg/Instant MPG. With just P&G alone I've managed 44 on highway. At least according to Torque.

Other than that, really awesome stuff you guys do here and looking forward to hopefully making some contributions. ^^

[MetroMPG]

Hi, Rishar.

44 highway is decent for that car. Have you calibrated Torque against your actual fill-ups yet?

Welcome to the forum!

[Rishar]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Hi, Rishar.

44 highway is decent for that car. Have you calibrated Torque against your actual fill-ups yet?

Welcome to the forum!

I hadn't yet. Just got it all setup for this sorta testing. Needs to be slightly calibrated. Did a test run today, going from one town to the next.

59 miles total
1.607 gallons used
37mpg (36.7...I was bad and rounded up ^^; )

Still not bad for a car with a 27mpg highway. Not great either, can do better! Though may have to wait, my exhaust fell off as soon as I got to town haha. So gotta pay for that little repair :P

[MetroMPG]

37 is quite decent. There's more if you want it!

Of course it bites to have to do repairs before mods.

[kir_kenix]

Not sure what model Sunfire you have, but my buddy was able to find a factory belly pan from another model at the u-pull-it. I think it cost him $5, and bolted right up. He has claimed an increase in fuel economy and engine temp with a decrease in road noise. I think it even had handy tray that directs oil from the filter nicely into the oil pan during service. Might be worth your time to see what factory parts you can snag off of a different trim line and use on your Sunfire.

The 2.2l is not the most efficient engine ever (I have the same in my S10), but it does pretty decent at reasonable revs. I've always thought about buying a Sunfire or cavalier with a manual trans myself, and stripping a couple hundred pounds of seats, AC, PS, carpet etc. out of it.

I would bet that you could return 40+mpg regularly with a little aero work on your current rig.

[Rishar]

I'm aware it's not the most efficient engine, part of why I want to do this so bad. I see a lot of people on here with more fuel efficient vehicles...so I want to take something that's not the best and see what I can make it push.

Definitely planning on some Aero Mods eventually. Fortunately, the sunfire isn't so bad aero wise (in the front) to start. Nice smooth-like rounded features...just how I like my ladies...I mean cars. :P

Thanks for the tip on the belly pan!

I'm going to be starting a thread in the appropriate place. I plan to do some fairly intensive A-B-A tests. I drive upwards of 150 miles of highway driving a day usually. So it'll be a long drive for testing purposes...but since I have to drive it anyway, why not do science as well right? Going to attempt my best at methodical testing...but we'll Oh look, something shiny *walks away*