I need to know...
 

Hello all,


Is there any way to program (reprogram) the car or modify the car in a way to get better mileage in lower gears and/or assist in getting up to speed much more quickly to reduce fuel consumption by accelerating harder to reach top gear?

A manual transmission swap is out of the question for me. I wish I had more than 4 gears to use as well as torque converter lockup at each shift.

Acceleration is one of the major detriments to fuel economy, along with aerodynamic drag and weight of course.


I feel that this one of the last frontiers for me to overcome to achieve "hypermiling bliss".

I thought it was the point of bsfc charts
http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...-got-1466.html

So long as I stay in closed loop, and it doesn't cause me to do any additional braking, accelerating faster or slower hasn't made any discernible difference.

The short answer to your question is no. :)

The trick with automatics is to get them to lock up the torque converter as much as possible. Every car is different in how its programmed. If you're handy with electronics, you can probably develop a controller that would allow you to control torque converter lockup.

SilverCrown, why is a manual tranny car out of the question? Not to be counterproductive at all, just curious. Is it possible to sell your vehicle and buy a manual? Or possibly swap with someone on an enthusiast forum who has a well-maintained manual that they would rather have an auto?

You've sort of answered your own question. Drop weight and add an airdam+boattail. Then what 2000mc sez.

I've searched and searched for a BSFC chart for my car but to no avail.

I wish I was that technically inclined lol. My car takes about 15 seconds to get from 0-45 MPH.

For several reasons in all honesty...

I cannot afford to do it nor do I have the skill nor any connections with reputable people.

Besides, if I were to do that, I'd rather just sell it and buy a manual. However, I paid $4,000 for a new engine a few years ago. It only has 35,000 miles on it as of today, so I'd like to hang on to it as long as I can until I can afford a second car.

I don't really want to add any conspicuous aero mods to my car. I really just want to use driving technique as my main arsenal.

However, I would like to add an inconspicuous grill block but first I need to know what to use and how to install it.

If you don't want to mod your car, a manual transmission would serve you vastly better than an automatic. I know you don't have money, put a new engine in, etc. Its just something to keep in mind.

I understand and I truly appreciate all of the feedback from everyone on this forum. I hope I didn't come off as pretentious or arrogant. I just have. Tousled questions in my head about so many things and this is the only place that I feel that I can ask for help without condescension and I love it! :)

I'm still a novice in this area, but I have already learned so much here!

Are you being judged? I wouldn't want to drive something that hadn't been personalized in some way.

Look here (Big pictures):
Undercarriage picture? (2.4l 2007 Camry) - Page 2 - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

Have you even seen the bottom of your car? I know mines hard to get to. :) This is a next gen Camry, but it suggests a big opportunity for a partial bellypan. There may be a similar opportunity at the rear.

No one would know as long as you behave yourself and keep it shiny side up.

That's better. Post some pics so we can see what you have to work with.

I went back over the thread and I'm not seeing it. Maybe some self-talk in your own head? Don't worry. Be happy.

I had a 1995 camry that I put an extremely good looking grill block on. I don't recall anyone ever noticing it unless I told them it was there. I took a hard plastic Mud flap. HARD PLASTIC, NOT THE HEAVY RUBBER KIND. And cut it with a electric saw blade type tool to fix exactly into my grill. I had to shave it with a file to get it to fit just right, and took me around 5 hours to get it done. It was well worth it in the long run. If you look through my old posts you will see an older version of it, before I took a file and made it fit absolutely perfect.

But I will warn you, grill blocks are by far the most dangerous of the eco-mods and not enough warning is emphasized. It's so easy to block to much and burn up your motor, or in the very least blow a head gasket. I can't voice enough that you must get an ultragauge and watch temps.

Even with a new engine your old transmission could be on the way out.

As mentioned I would sell it. Too many people just buy a car because of the deal and not the actual vehicle itself.

Save up some money on the side to find yourself a 4 door civic manual 96-99. You should be able to make money or find some one who would want a trade to have an automatic car