Making an old Volvo fuel efficient

[Simonas]

I have a brilliant idea: How about having all the people who don't like smoking diesels in the city just leave? Eventually, if it is that bad, people will leave the city and go to a cleaner one that suits their taste. Or, move to the country and forget about making big bucks and impressing neighbors.

I'm not aiming this directly at anybody...

The other side is that if it is really that big of a problem, the actual people who own smokey diesels should get them repaired or get another vehicle. Usually it is a case of both sides not doing what would be best and would alleviate the problem.

Do unto others as you'd want done to you...

[RedDevil]

You wiill only have clean cities to go to if they don't have unclean diesel engines so until that's sorted out I'm afraid your suggestion is not realizable.

I don't have a grudge against diesels, I would have bought another one if it did not fall though on the test drive.
I'm not too keen on getting cancer either - that's what we know fine particles are accountable for.

As for the old Volvo - it can profit from the oldtimer tax now, and it can't if it were a diesel; then it will get the extra high diesel road tax.
Here and now it is impossible to save money by converting that Volvo to diesel.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Is there any incentive to convert it to run on CNG?

[renault_megane_dci]

2500 RPM @ 65 mph is plenty for a 2.3 liter engine.

I would try and adress that first.

Either the smallest engine available or the tallest gearing (which you apparently already have ...)

Maybe tall sidewall tires ?

[Joris]

Originally Posted by RedDevil

I'd say:
- raise the back of the hood (does it hinge there?)

What would be the gain on raising the back of the hood? Better airflow over the windscreen?

[RedDevil]

Originally Posted by Joris

What would be the gain on raising the back of the hood? Better airflow over the windscreen?

Yup, as it increases the pressure over the hood which makes the air start to move aside and up earlier.

However, safety is an issue. You don't want to have the hood penetrate the window in a collision.

[renault_megane_dci]

Did you know about the aero template ?
It's in the tools.

Maybe you can alter the car here and there to better fit this.
Of course it is more prédominant if you have to drive faster.

[Joris]

I am already working on a kammback spoiler, there is a cardboard model in the shed at this moment! Based on the template.


Today I made some rear tire deflectors, paint is already falling of


I also used the light for the choke to indicate when the fan is on.


Then I sealed the gaps left and right of the radiator and made a grillblock.
Turned out that the hole I left is still to big, so testing with clear tape now.

[renault_megane_dci]

That's plenty good.

That being said, every aero improvement is gonna make your big engine works even easier ...

Where is your spend sensor taking info from ?
I am thinking taller tires would be a good improvement.

[Joris]

Originally Posted by renault_megane_dci

That's plenty good.

That being said, every aero improvement is gonna make your big engine works even easier ...

Where is your spend sensor taking info from ?
I am thinking taller tires would be a good improvement.

Speed sensor wasn't original on this car, there is a place behind the speedo where I was able to mount it.

I would like taller and smaller tires, but I recently bought new tires so that will have to wait.