47% increase in mileage the easy way

[mechman600]

In November I bought a $400 1984 Volvo. Three tanks yielded 16.25 mpg. I tinkered with it for a bit and sold it $550, because I was offered an MX-3 for $400. My first tank (including an extra partial fill) yielded 23.9 mpg. Keep in mind that my commutes are 4 miles each way and the MX-3's thermostat is stuck open, so it's always cold.

This has been a simple exercise in ecomodding by switching vehicles. I think there can be a lot to be said about that.

Oh, and I would ride my bicycle but the bike routes to work are basically non-existant. And whatever routes I can find are loaded with nails and broken glass. And it rains steady from November to March. Excuses excuses.

[jakobnev]

The thermostat takes like 5mins to change and you'll save the cost in a tank and a half.

(Section E1 page 9)

[mechman600]

I'm well aware of that. But I'm yanking the engine out in a month, so I couldn't be bothered.

[RunningStrong]

I hope you're not getting rid of the 1.8 ltr V6!

[mechman600]

Nah, it's the 1.6. I'm replacing it with a Prestolite!

[Cd]

I notice you are thinking of converting your MX-3 to an EV !

We think alike.

http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...3-a-15815.html

This was posted over three years ago :

http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...hape-5924.html

[Marc F.]

So an MX-3EV is in the works?

Say 10 miles average commute daily. You would still have range even in a low voltage electric.

Keep us posted if you dive in!

[mechman600]

Yes, and not because I specifically chose the MX-3 as "the perfect glider" or anything. Like I said in my first post, it was offered the car for really cheap so I jumped on the opportunity. I was actually collecting EV parts for the Volvo, but the MX-3 make A LOT more sense for an EV conversion.

I have most of my bits ready to go. Motor, 72V golfcart-style controller, batteries, battery cables, chargers, meters, contactor, etc. My goals reflect my beer budget: 10 mile range and 40 mph. Much inspiration from Ben Nelson's Electrometro, Darin's Forkenswift and Paul Holmes' Beetle. The cheaper the better. So far I'm into it for $1735 including the car.

Here's the parts collecting thread: http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...gun-19957.html

The day I tear the engine out is the day the build thread will begin.

[66sprint6]

I quite driving my 88 F150 4x4 every day which got 13mpg on a good day. Now I drive my 93 Escort which is averaging right around the 40mpg mark per tank. HUGE difference and Im lovin it!
Matt

[mechman600]

It's a good feeling, that's for sure. Especially when you haven't spend any/much money on your fuel economy "mod".

My first experience with car downsizing was when I was just out of high school. I sold my [free] 1979 Volare and took out a bank loan to buy a [then 7 year old] 1992 Toyota Tercel. Not that the Volare was horrible on fuel for what it was - a 318 "lean burn" who's wonky distributor I replaced with a normal one from a van at a junk yard. From what fuel calculations I actually did at that time, I averaged 20 mpg with it. But the Tercel got 38 mpg, which more than offset my payments on it. Plus, the Tercel was way more fun to drive and er...well...reliable.