Meet @ northern california (sacramento area)

[SentraSE-R]

We pulled off another meet today. We put my Scangauge in Vic's AT Jaguar, and did some comparison testing with Kris and me along as interested observers.

First, Vic drove a ~10 mile test loop with cruise control set at 35 mph to establish a baseline of 30.4 mpg.

Then he drove it using DWL, and turned in a 31.5 mpg run, beating cruise control. I was impressed with his engine's low 1500 rpm speed, and with his >30 mpg estimated Scangauge results. I guessed at a Scangauge calibration figure of 18%, but it correlated pretty well with the iFCD in his car.

Next came the test I was expecting to win, P&G from 25-40 mph. No such luck. The acceleration pulses drank enough fuel to show no advantage over DWL. We finished the loop at 30.7 mpg.

The final test was to combine the best of both - DWL and NICE-on coasting down the few hills. It didn't improve on DWL alone, coming in short of 31.5 mpg, but it answered some questions. Vic's Jaguar doesn't benefit much from NICE-on glides.

We all had dinner together, which gave us time to discuss mods, what car we would buy for maximum fuel economy, and other topics. It was a good meet. Thanks for dinner, Vic!

[k.civic.f4i]

the results of this test were pretty surprising to me. i really expected to get better mpg with the combined run. very insightful information. thanks for dinner vic

[SentraSE-R]

Kris,

I thought of a classier hypermiling car for you - a MINI. The main disadvantage to them is the non-standard start button. With that arrangement, they may not be suitable for EOC. Their other shortcoming is a requirement for premium fuel. It's a shame, as they're cute cars, and have the highest non-diesel EPA combined fuel economy next to the Smart Car.

All-in-all, I'd get a used Prius or HCH. Your GF can drive them, and you can get killer mileage from them.

[low&slow]

Hi Darrrell and Kris, Thanks for a another great meet. With the use of Darrell's Scangauge I learned a lot about the actual difference in driving styles. It looks like DWL is the clear winner. The Scangauge also showed my intake and coolant temperatures indicating that I need to make a heat collector for my WAI and that I can use more grille blocking. Thanks again for some good learning and great company.
All the best Vic

[SentraSE-R]

When we meet again, it might be worth testing more aggressive acceleration with your Jaguar, Vic. That might use less gasoline, putting your engine into a better position on its BSFC map.

[low&slow]

Hi Darrell,
That would be great! Thanks again for all your guidance and help. I know I'm tied up most of next week but maybe the week after that. Hopefully I can modify my WAI and add a front belly pan soon.
Best wishes, Vic

[SentraSE-R]

Hi Vic,

The week of May 8, or May 15? I'm flexible. Got to work on my WAI, too. I found my tin snips.

[SentraSE-R]

I finished my WAI mods. Will do the ABA testing the next dry day we get, perhaps as early as tomorrow.

[k.civic.f4i]

results?

[SentraSE-R]

Summing it up:
A1 (control) test 31 mph CC = IAT 73º, ambient 51-55º, 53.3 mpg
B1 (WAI) test 31 mph CC = IAT 100º, ambient 60º, 54.2 mpg
A2 (control) test 31 mph CC = IAT 76º, ambient 65º, 54.3 mpg
B2 (WAI) test 31 mph CC = IAT 100-103º, ambient 70º, 54.8 mpg

A3 (control) test P&G = IAT 73º, ambient 65º, 64.7 mpg
B3 (WAI) test P&G = IAT 91º, ambient 70º, 65.8 mpg

All tests done yesterday on dry roads, 0-5 mph breeze, tires inflated to max sidewall cold, cruise control (CC) for the main tests. Photos of my WAI and test discussion are on gassavers. Net result, no significant improvement.

It's possible to look at these same figures, and argue the WAI does give a fairly consistent 1 mpg or 2% FE increase. The fly in the ointment is the B1-A2 overlap, and the consistent rise with increasing ambient temperature.

Bottom line: A1 - B1 - A2 all showed 19.3 miles traveled on .36 gal. fuel, and B2 showed 19.3 miles on .35 gal. fuel. There was essentially no measurable FE difference from having the WAI in place.