2011 Resolutions and Goals (ecomodding and other)
 

Hi,

It's that time of year where (here in the UK anyway) we take stock and decide what we would like to do better for the next year - that diet we always promised to do, that work out we never quite managed to work in, or perhaps a few less beers a week. Whatever.

So it seems appropriate to settle in the armchair, light the pipe, gaze into the blue and come up with your goals for 2011. So what are they, ecomodding and economy related or just generally ? Honest or not ?

For me I have the following life ones -

- More time with A-jnr and the family, work has just intruded too much this year.
- I would like to lose a stone (14 lbs) of weight at least by Christmas 2011
- Pay off the rest of my mortgage so Mrs A can give up work asap.
- And, well, perhaps I could do less to single-handedly support the Australia / New Zealand wine making industry - sorry Mr Lindemans you will gave to find more customers... :rolleyes:

As for ecomodding -
- 60 MPG (imperial) average tank goal
- Block the lower grill and other aero work
- Narrower tyres (standard wheels)
- More analysis of technique - with added video evidence :eek:
- And I will fill in my fuel logs dammit... :(

Anyway I know its a few days early but to all ecomodders whoever and wherever you are and whatever you drive have a great, economical, and above all safe 2011.

Cheers

PS if this has been done already apologies, I only have a limited 'puter time at the mo...

Grille block
Lowering springs

I am aiming for 50 MPG on a regular basis.

CigaR007 - you did that in 2010, or those are next year's plans?

Plans for 2011. :thumbup:

2011 goals

* Lighten the load onthe Tahoe reove some excell weight
* Tune her up she needs it
* swap mech fan fro electric
* Drive better

hope to achieve 18mpg mixed driving

* Finish working on garage

*Finish My 75 vette back to a street car from race only

* Ride Motorcycle more and save some gas :)

200mpg with Belaero! :-D

You beat me to it! (Starting this thread.)

Hope you don't mind I edited the title slightly.

And for those who are interested in looking back...

• 2008 - What are your 2008 mod goals / wish list?

• 2009 -2009 EcoModding Resolutions / Goals?

• 2010 - http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...0-a-11727.html

I electrified my garage for 2010, and I will insulate and heat it as required for 2011.

For 2011, I'm not necessarily planning new mods. I'd like to bring the mods I've done up to a higher standard of quality. Specifically, automated engine kills every time I let out the clutch in neutral, instead of a kill switch zip-tied to the gearstick. A MIMA joystick with a stalk on the steering column, instead of a potentiometer zip-tied to the handbrake lever. I want to replace my "extension cord in the trunk" with a classy power entry port on the back of the car. I want interior convex mirrors in addition to one exterior adjustable mirror, and they should all be mounted properly. I'd like to have obviously modded bodywork, but I'd like it to look like it's moderately well executed. The same ideas apply to a boat tail.

When I bought the Insight, I set a lifetime fuel economy goal of 70mpg, or 32% over EPA Combined, while exceeding the speed limit. That hasn't happened, but I'm still very happy with my 65mpg average. My goal for 2011 is to drive even more like an ordinary driver, while (handily) exceeding 60mpg. Who knows, I might see 70mpg average.

Goals? Hmm...
Let's start with tax time sell off. Time for a few cars to find new owners.
Sell the Alero, Sebring, Suburban and possibly the truck.
Trying to sell my wife on the idea of a TDI Jetta or Passat. 4 door diesel car with great gas mileage. Might try and find a Mercedes diesel. She'd like another SUV that she can drive every day but that ain't gonna happen. Try the bait and switch if she won't go for the VW.
Fix the 1987 Toyota Supra project, again. Must install a rev limiter this time. Sand it down smooth and put on a coat of paint. Find another '87 up 350 Roller engine, a HOT cam and swap over parts.
Replace the passenger side fender on the Escort from where someone hit me.
Sell the '99 Alero, got @$1500 in it, sell for $2k on CL.
Sell the '98 Sebring Convertible, got @$750 in it. Sell for $1k
Sell the '93 Suburban, got @$1800 in it, sell for $2200
Sell (?) the 1989 F-350 Diesel Dually Crew Cab, got @$1700 in it. Sell for $2800.
Sell (?) the 1983 Mazda RX-7 Convertible, got @$1800 in it. Sell for $2500 or keep it. The rotary really winds out with it's low rear axle ratio, so even though it's just 1.3 liters, the mpg aren't great.
Put some 14' rims and tires on for the '78 Pinto. Wet sand it then buff it out nice. Take off the metal fan and put in a relay controlled electric fan. Replace the timing belt and change the oil. Check the fluids and prep it for the car show circuit.
Replace the battery in the jet ski.
Find a diesel RV or a camper I can pull behind the truck easily.
Install a better filter for the ponds. Get some lilac bushes to grow around the top pond.
Stop screwin' around on the computer so much!
Take the kids on more vacations.
Cut monthly expenses.
Work less.
Drive less except for recreation.
VT247

Where to begin?

Ok,

On the Car front..

1. Build my 335i (track and "Sunday" car)

2. Get the Scab up to 120% of its UK combined MPG (i'm currently at 117%)

3. Locate a Diseasal for a daily driver- starting from 60 UK mpg should make it easier on my pocket.

On a personal level

1. Get a LOT fitter- aiming to lose a few Stones (esp for the fuel saving!)

2. Find a nice property to buy so I can start setting up to be "Off Grid" (time to put the Energy and Environmental Management Wasters into use)

3. Go to more Gigs

4. More Tracktime

5. Finish the white 320 e30

6. Spend less time worrying and more time doing

Here we go again. :)

I'm fairly happy with my current mileage in summer. The Prius gets a pretty steady 55 mpg with my wife driving and no PHEV and the Paseo gets 60+ all summer long. However, in winter the Prius takes a huge hit to mileage in the winter and I'd like to do something more about that. I'd very much like to see 45+ in the winter with the Prius.

As for specific mods, I don't have any solid plans. I have ideas, and they always change.

2011 Prius goals: Decrease the winter hit to mileage and get the PHEV kit working.

Mods I'm considering:
- get the dang PHEV working :mad:
- insulated engine
- bellypan
- automatically actuated grill block
- smooth wheel covers


2011 Paseo goals: The possibilities are kind of wide open at the moment. I'm looking at a job much closer to home which makes an EV conversion possible. I'm happy with the current mpg, but want to make the car easier to drive.

Mods I'm considering:
- 1.4L 1ND-TV (diesel) engine swap
- EV conversion
- hybrid conversion
- bellypan
- adding EGR
- something to help automate P&G, automatic start perhaps?


As I've mentioned, I'm fairly happy with my mileage at this point. This is true and somewhat not true. I've gotten to the point where I've looked at my energy usage and found that my cars are not the biggest chunk of energy I use now, my home is now a larger energy user. So, I am focusing more on conserving and increasing efficiency there. For others that are also interested in this I suggest checking out EcoRenovator.

OK, since Shack Status: Operational is imminent, I will have more modding time in 2011.

So here are 3 new tasks that weren't on my 2010 list (which I never got to anyway). The first mod of 2011 will be...

• ... not actually a mod, but rust repair to the underbelly of the ForkenSwift. I'm not sure just how bad it is, but I have reason to be slightly nervous about what I'll find when I start poking at it.

• Next, I want to improve an existing mod on the Firefly/Metro: relocate the coolant heater tank. Its current location has never been good for convection circulation.

• I'd like to get the new-to-me convertible Firefly/Metro repaired & on the road for a couple of months of use by late summer.

And the 2010 mods I never got to:

Goals for the Firefly:

• good version of the removable boat tail
• lowered ride height & A-B-A test
• fix my cruise control for better A-B-A testing (this was on last year's list and I didn't get to it)

Goals for the ForkenSwift:

• basically I didn't do anything to it last year, so again everything on the 2009 list, plus...
• install tires with lower rolling resistance than the snows that are currently on it year-round

Does it get good range?

Sorry. :p

Including the backlog ? ;)


For me it's getting the ECU remapped (I like easy mods :o ) and keep trying to drive FC down.

Serious aero mods (belly pan etc.) will have to wait until the car is garaged.
I really can't see me working on it in a public parking lot.

Ecomods for the house:

Installing a radiant floor heating system using a solar heat source, also preheats the domestic hot water system.
Upgrading the controls for the house using a web accessable controller.
Solar PV DC system for lighting on the outside decks.

For DaCivic:

Upper and lower grill block, with a thermo operated lower damper.
Delete side mirrors if possible.

Er, probably not :o

If you do a remap get one of those boxes where you can revert back to default if you need to - just in case.

For 2011 my plans are:
1. Resurect a 1989 Ford Aerostar mini cargo van that has a 2.3L 4 cylinder engine that is perfect for aeromodding in that it is underpowered. The plan is a 4 ft boat tail for the rear, a rounded front end, under tray... hopefully get to 50 mpg when all is said and done.
2. Get the Kawasaki KLR650 to 3.3L/100 km = 71 mpg with new aero cargo boxes, skid plate, and fairing.
3. Boat tail for the Yaris, to get to 3.9L/100 km = 60 mpg
4. All the rest of the unfinished projects from other years... :rolleyes:

The Nut has been adjusted for the past 2 years. Santa brought me a ScangaugeII for Christmas. Should help in tweaking the Nut a bit more. :)

Planned mods for now :

Grille Block (upper and lower during Winter)
Lowering the car (hopefully this Spring)

My aim is 50 MPG by the Summer.

Working on dropping a bit of weight, not for the fuel efficiency but for payload in the plane.

As for modding...Kammi back and 60mpg.

No pun intended? :D

Not much modding planned.
Just keep doing the very best I can at hypermiling.
2011 might be new car year. It's been 10 years with this civic.
Focus more on family. (and... try to put 3 car seats in a civic ;))

I dunno about a 96 Civic, but my cousin had 3 car seats in his 2000. :)

1. Get a relatively cheap used diesel car (rabbit, or some VW TDI)
2. Aeromod the beast (a la basjoos except with kind for foam fiberglass composite)
3. Set it up to run off biodiesel
4. Laugh all the way to the bank when gas prices go through the roof. XD

that would be more than enough for one year I'd think ;)

edit: just realized this thread was for 2010... meh only one year off.

hahaha.. Sort of.. :D

Already posted in the 2010 thread :P but here goes:

1. Graduate College
2. Get a job
3. Get an Apartment
4. Visit friends over in Spain over the summer.
5.Expand my t-shirt business

Mod-wise:
1. Get a relatively cheap used diesel car (rabbit, or some VW TDI)
2. Aeromod the beast (a la basjoos except with kind for foam fiberglass composite)
3. Set it up to run off biodiesel
4. Laugh all the way to the bank when gas prices go through the roof. XD

That's more than a years-worth lol

Are you ashamed of the numbers maybe ? ;)

The remap boxes to fool the ECU aren't very efficient.

If it's going to be done, I'm getting the Rica E-power (software) upgrade which is designed for lower fuel consumption.
I don't want HP @ high rpm anyway, and I don't want to push the gearbox too hard with 300+ Nm as it's a known weak spot.

Life Goals
~Get a part time job that is closer to home (unlike my summer job that's 15Miles away)

Ecomodding
~Grill Block
~Aerodynamic Antenna
~Belly Pan

Ah, cool. It's the same generation, so it's possible. I'm sure it depends greatly on the specific seats being used.

Sold the house, so goal currently is to find an enjoyable job that gives me enough money to start saving up for some nice acreage.

As far as eco mods, I'm just going to go with finish my E-charger project. Hopefully by summer. It's just so hard to get the motivation to go out in the cold and work on it.

Well, partly. Mostly life just got too complicated so I forgot to record them or lost the various bits of paper I used after my in car notepad got used by someone who resembles the Mrs and it didn't get put back...:mad:

There is one that Car mechanics Mag used on their Mini One project - remap to the power of the NA Cooper. They used a plug in box which reprograms the ECU. You plug it in, it downloads the existing one, you email it to them, they send you the updated one, you plug in and it remaps. It also keeps the original one so you can swap it back. Wish I could remember its name but that issue went in the recycling....

I wondered about it as you can use it for different cars and swap them back for trade-ins.

Worst case scenario :D

Oh, that way.

RICA also have a box (optional) that plugs into the OBD port.
You load the box with the appropriate mapping for the car, and it'll update the car's software.

That way you can update the car's mapping yourself, and it saves a trip to the Rica dealer when their software gets written over by a factory software update.

I don't really do resolutions, but...

Hypermiling? I hope to drive the Mustang less. True, I've had a lot of good (17+) mpg tanks in her since I last posted here, but then again, 17mpg is 17mpg. My fiancee has a Toyota Echo I hope to do a lot with.

Other? None. If anything, quit cigs. I only do 1-2/day but I seem to be addicted even at that.

Buy the wife a 95 Geo Metro 2-door auto, install my newly acquired pizza pan hubcaps, install rear wheel skirts, wear out the current 175/70-13 tires (40k miles on them so far and they look like they'll last another 10-20k more) and replace them with the OEM 155/80-13 tires to reduce rolling resistance, replace my rear window defroster, replace my hatch struts (they're toast), and install a CD player so I can put down the antenna and have reliable good music.

Edit: just ticked off the pizza pan hubcaps mod :) Wheel skirts to come in the next couple days.

Yeah Men2, as soon as I get my debts paid down, I'd love to do the same.:thumbup:

...I never make "resolutions" knowing the odds against success!

Thanks - and I started this :D

Oh, my.

I have a career in politics ahead of me. Consistently over-promising and under-delivering...


FAIL!

Instead, I used the time I had specifically set aside to do this work to go on a big, unplanned sailing trip.

FAIL! and FAIL!

Instead of doing these things, I completely neglected both of those vehicles after exhibiting a spectacular failure of impulse control by buying the UFO (2000 Honda Insight 5-speed) from a used car dealer out in the country. ("Must ... have... ultimate ... nerdmobile!")

And the 2010 mods I never got to are still on the to-do list.

Thus my new rallying cry: Too Many Projects!

(But I'm having fun.)

And FYI, Freakazoid started our 2012 goals/mods thread:

http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...als-19954.html

Car

1.I bought the 535i instead!

2. Scab replaced by the iS-trundling along nicely at similar mpg,but higher %above epa

3.got scared off by dpf/turbo failure -sticking to stuff I can fix with hammers

Personal
1.fitter but still fat!

2.still in the same flat as last year-really should save a deposit..

3.made more gigs:)

4.lots more tracktime due to having BMW's as only cars in the fleet!

5.the 320 got an mot and was fun over the summer-many jobs to do over the winter..

6. This worked! Alpine trip and some other decisions working well-need to keep it up

Decided to go back to grad school for my dream job but did find an enjoyable enough side gig for now.

Finished my E-Charger project!

Current goals are to get the leaky leaky cavalier fixed up and use it as my main car during summer. (road trip season!) Those LD9's look like they are completely ridiculous to work on. Color me not a Chevy fan.