2004 Focus ZX3 Commuter

[spacemanspif]

Maybe I missed it, but your upper grill is still open, correct? You'll still get cooling through there and if you run the heat some the temps should stay in check. I know it's bad for FE but when you get to your destination leave the car idle and check under the hood to see if your fans are running. That'll tell you if you are running over normal operating temp and will only cost a few drops of gas.

[MisterMundane]

Yep upper is still open, bit its tiny since the turn signals are in there.

Its 20° F out, and at 60 mph I don't think it will have a problem overheating Haha. Heat will be blowing in cabin, probably pretty cold since its gutted.

[MisterMundane]

Well seems my limit right now with out the ultragauge isn33-34. Not bad at all coming from 26-27!!

This tank I'm working on now will suck, was late for a meeting so I was doing 70 for most of it. Which is what I used to do before I started this whole addiction.

I guess this will show me how much difference the lower grill block off makes though. So thats a plus.

[BabyDiesel]

Congratulations on your improvements!!!

[MisterMundane]

Thanks! I'm happy so far. It got colder again so it dropped slightly as expected.

Ultragauge *should* be here next week. Once I get that set up I should be able to hit 35-36 I hope.

[pete c]

Good job.

I think I would have skipped all that gutting, given that you live in the plains. How loud is it in there? I suppose driving slow makes up for it.

Can the focus 5th gear be swapped for a higher cog? i really wish the manufacturers would use higher ODs. They do a pretty good job with autos, but seem to be under the impression that people are incapable of downshifting for hills.

[MisterMundane]

I didnt really do the gutting for mpg. I just love having a lighter car, the noise isn't bad at all. Sure, on gravel its a little louder, but I dont mind it one bit.

I work on a print shop, ear plugs 24/7 in here so getting in the focus and driving home is relaxing Haha.

Swapping out 5th pro bay wouldn't be cost effective for gains. This car is kind of a multi purpose car right now. I like to blast around on the gravel roads like I'm a rally driver haha. So its a Happy medium where it is now.

[Fat Charlie]

Originally Posted by MisterMundane

Ultragauge *should* be here next week. Once I get that set up I should be able to hit 35-36 I hope.

It'll take a few tanks' worth of calibration until the UltraGauge agrees with the pump and the odometer. For the first tank, before any calibration, ignore the mpg numbers altogether. Higher is better, but until you calibrate it after your first tankful you can't have any confidence in the actual values.

[pete c]

Originally Posted by MisterMundane

I didnt really do the gutting for mpg. I just love having a lighter car, the noise isn't bad at all. Sure, on gravel its a little louder, but I dont mind it one bit.

I work on a print shop, ear plugs 24/7 in here so getting in the focus and driving home is relaxing Haha.

Swapping out 5th pro bay wouldn't be cost effective for gains. This car is kind of a multi purpose car right now. I like to blast around on the gravel roads like I'm a rally driver haha. So its a Happy medium where it is now.

Yeah, I guess it is quiet after 8 hours in a print shop. Used to work with a deaf person that had been an offset printer operator. Apparently it is a popular career field for deaf people. Or at least it was. It is a dying industry thanks to the interwebs and advances in eprinting.

[MisterMundane]

I wouldn't say dying, its definitely changing though. And we have to change with it, but its not going away anytime soon.