1996 Toyota Tercel Ecomodification

[cfg83]

Toby -

I like the adjustability of the interior side view mirror. Looks very solid.

Not sure about the spark plugs. The insulator nose is healthy. According to these pix, maybe just "normal life" because the center electrode is worn down on one side :

spark plug failure analysis - common faults

CarloSW2

[Daox]

Yeah, those definitely could be original plugs. The first one looks a little dark but its hard to tell with the shadows. The second one looks fine to me.

[Jyden]

Sparkplugs indicates, that you are running a bit fat, or that ýou are burning some oil.
For best results plugs should be Caffe-latte color tending to greyish.

White - and its to lean or hot

[busypaws]

I did power steering delete on 97 Protege 1.5L 5sp. I did not change the rack. I took out the pump/overflow tank and just connected the inlet/outlet hoses from the rack. I read all the old threads here about PS delete and that seemed to be the concensus. Some thought you should plug the inlet/outlets, most thought just connect inlet to outlet and leave some fluid (but not full) in there for lubrication. It now drives like my wifes civic which doesn't have power steering. You need both hands to back out of a parking spot, but you should be parking so you can drive out (hypermilling trick).

I like the mirror delete. I'll put it on my list.

[Toby]

Just an update on my 1996 Tercel. Nothing groundbreaking. My 90 day is something like 53 mpg at the time of posting, but sliding fast due to weather and (probably) winter gas in my area.

Here is the Terceleporter as it appeared yesterday.


And a rear view of a rear wheel skirt.


I've done all the low hanging fruit mods. I've deleted AC, power steering, passenger seat, and all kinds of trim and soundproofing. The rear skirts are stainless steel mounted with the common (on this site) L-bracket attachment method. I've gone to synthetic motor oil and transmission gear oil. I recently purchased an Ultra-gauge. LED running lights and low-wattage headlamps are installed. I've been quite diligent with maintenance despite my natural bent to the contrary.

Hypermiling has become deeply ingrained. I almost have to close my eyes when riding with other drivers.

For 5th gen Tercel owners:
1) My car is a 1996 Tercel STD with the c141 manual transmission.
2) My car has responded very well to the upper grille block, accessory belt removal, and high tire pressures.
3) My car has proven very sensitive to overheating with a lower grille block. I'm still working on the lower grille block to find the ideal minimal opening.
4) If you have instrumentation, you might try climbing hills as close to 60% engine load as possible. This seems to yield the best mpg for me. I can sometimes maintain 45 mpg uphill at a steady 55-58 mph.
5) If you go to LED running lights, your turn signals will become much faster. You will have to get an aftermarket flasher if you want the normal rate back. The recommended unit on superbrightleds.com is not a direct replacement for ours. I was able to make it work by making a tiny "wiring harness."
6) I feel that I have hit a wall at the mid 50's. I would love to hear if someone has a DX with the c151 transmission and does better. I think the 4 speed in my car is a major limitation at this point.

I'm working on front skirts right now, but I'm not really motivated. I didn't see much improvement from the rear.

I'd love to partial boat tail my Tercel, but I can't honestly see it happening anytime soon. I would need a large, heated workspace to even consider it. The same goes for under body paneling. Although if I find a large piece of appropriate material for free, that might tip the scales.

I believe the only remaining significant improvement would be to source a c151 transmission from a Tercel DX and fit it with the differential from a c141. I've already got my eye on two DX's at local salvage yards.

Speaking of which, did you have any luck with this Daox?

[Daox]

The C151 will drop your rpm ~300 @ 55 mph (2300 to 2000). This is a step in the right direction, however I don't think you'll see a big gain from such a small decrease in rpm. I think you'd need to see a reduction of 500+ rpm to really see a good bump in mileage.

I have done nothing with regearing the Paseo. I currently use P&G to overcome the bad gear ratios.

[Toby]

Originally Posted by Daox

The C151 will drop your rpm ~300 @ 55 mph (2300 to 2000). This is a step in the right direction, however I don't think you'll see a big gain from such a small decrease in rpm. I think you'd need to see a reduction of 500+ rpm to really see a good bump in mileage.

I agree that the options are very limited, and the c151 offers a minor improvement. Can you comment on the feasibility of the c141 diff in the c151 trans? I have been researching this combination but I can't find a final word on these internets. My understanding right now is that the c141 diff offers a better ratio and will probably fit. Do you know?

Originally Posted by Daox

I currently use P&G to overcome the bad gear ratios.

Likewise. But on long highway climbs, anything to increase engine load and lower rpm would be great.

[mwebb]

...."Likewise. But on long highway climbs, anything to increase engine load and lower rpm would be great."....

i guess those are 4 x 100 wheels
so there are many wheels from various cars like Honda civic or VW A2 A3 or
Echo or .... early prius
which will bolt up so if you switch to a 15" rim with 185 60 15( or the largest that will fit in the wheel well without rubbing )tires in the LRR type
you will find a wee bit of what you are seeking .

the tiddly wink tires you have now are not helping even at 50 psi

[Daox]

Originally Posted by Toby

I agree that the options are very limited, and the c151 offers a minor improvement. Can you comment on the feasibility of the c141 diff in the c151 trans? I have been researching this combination but I can't find a final word on these internets. My understanding right now is that the c141 diff offers a better ratio and will probably fit. Do you know?

The C141 does offer a lower differential ratio 3.5 vs 3.7 I believe. However, you can not swap them out. The differential gear is removable, but the gear on the shaft is cut into the shaft, and you can't use a 4 speed shaft on a 5 speed transmission.

I really think that taking a donor trans, swapping out the 2nd gear and using it in reverse as a new 5th gear in a C151 is the best way to go. That would give you ~1600 rpm @ 55 mph which is pretty good IMO. Of course, this requires a fair amount of custom work and if you don't have access to machinery that means $$$.


I also messed up on my earlier calculations. The C141 puts you a 2500 rpm @ 55 mph, and the C151 puts you at 2200 rpm @ 55 mph. So, 1600 rpm looks even better.

[Toby]

Originally Posted by Daox

The differential gear is removable, but the gear on the shaft is cut into the shaft, and you can't use a 4 speed shaft on a 5 speed transmission.

And there's the rub. I've been looking for an answer to this question for some time. Thanks.

It's really a shame. It probably puts re-gearing out of the realm of possibility. I'd have to source a c151 and a c151 donor to take the gears.