Looking for a fuel efficient solution. I've got a few ideas.
Hello, let me introduce myself/my situation.
My current and only car isn't very fuel efficient (due to what car it is and what I've done to it, but since this is an eco forum I don't really need to tell anyone details) and sometimes I want to work on it so I need another car sometime in the future, but I need this other car to be fuel efficient. The car I'm looking for doesn't have to be luxurious or anything. Just cheap and cheap on gas. Anyways, I'm not really looking for suggestions as I have some in mind. What I'm looking for are modifications to the car that will be cheap and will give it better fuel efficiency, and I don't want the car to look ridiculous (meaning I don't want to do aero mods to it). Here were my ideas: Warm Air Intake - I plan to position an open air element filter right on top of the exhaust manifold or very near it so the air is warmest and the air is the least dense. Gut the interior - I don't really mind what the interior looks like, so I'm just going to gut it. Fairly obvious why I want to do this. Remove Power Steering - In a light car, P/S isn't really required, so I'll just relieve the crank pulley of weight (for slightly more power) and relieve the car of overall weight. Remove Air Conditioning - Relieves the car/crank pulley for less weight + more power. Increase Tire Pressure - It might handle weird, but this will give me slightly better mileage. Misc. Exhaust Modifications - Most exhaust components are made of cast iron (which is much heavier than steel, stainless steel, etc.), and some are crush bent and just overall very restrictive which creates backpressure. Backpressure in an exhaust system is never needed, so a well tuned combo of a header + exhaust could make the engine not strain itself as much while still giving it more power/torque, while still being an overall lighter system. Any other ideas, or are the remaining ones expensive to do? |
Why the warm air intake? I know that performance hot-rodders always strive to make their intake as COOL as possible to increase power/mileage.
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A warm air intake has less oxygen molecules which means the car will make less power, which means more fuel efficiency. Cold air intakes contain more oxygen molecules since they are denser. As far as I know there's no way to make more power while having better fuel efficiency when you modify your intake, but with an exhaust it is.
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Depending on the model, there are several things to try -- aero improvements, drivetrain tweaks. WAIs work with certain manufacturers -- but nearly all work in colder climate for warming up the vehicle. Depends on where you are, but an Engine Block Heater may help get you started more efficiently. Perhaps some Low Rolling Resistance tires. Don't rule out the power of technique and instrumentation/feedback. I assume you've read the EcoModding for Beginners thread... Best FE to ya! :thumbup: RH77 |
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About the thread you linked me to, I just read the thread right now and I most of those already. |
My understanding is cold air and cool fuel is best for power and warm air and warm fuel is best for economy. When both are warm the fuel will atomise better. It doesnt matter that the air is less dense when warm, you will just open up the throttle more to get the correct amount of oxygen in.
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Anyways, how about adjustments to timing? Anybody have success with that? The car(s) I'm looking at will most likely be a Honda Integra/Civic/Accord or a Geo Metro (3 cylinder). So anyone with those cars, can you pitch in about that? |
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At least, that's the theory... Quote:
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From the Integra standpoint (and personal experience) -- it's heavy and has an engine that likes to make power more than Fuel Economy; however, it's very versatile: fun to drive, fold flat seats + hatchback = cargo capacity, reliability, handling, power when you need it, etc. Make absolutely sure it's a manual if you find one. The Civic is a good choice -- depends on the year, style, number of miles, etc. Again, the manual transmission is key -- lighter weight models as well. You can't go wrong with a Metro 3-banger: inspect for rust (owners here can tell you about the specifics). RH77 |
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Thank you for the info though :) |
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