Mullet's Metro Project

[i_am_socket]

Great detailed thread Mullet!

(I actually thought Frank Lee's post was funny, but I have an odd sense of humor)

Rocking 60+ MPG without serious aeromods is definitely nothing to sneeze at and emphasizes the importance of good maintenance.

[99metro]

I forgot to mention - been playing with ignition timing also.

[whatthe]

Originally Posted by Katmandu

Some folks may be suffering from OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder). It would be way cheaper for them to seek medication and/or therapy than to keep modding there cars! I think most folks take modding as a hobby though! I hope they do anyways!

I thought this was OCD central and you had to click the 'I have OCD' checkbox to be approved on the forum.

[Katmandu]

Originally Posted by whatthe

I thought this was OCD central and you had to click the 'I have OCD' checkbox to be approved on the forum.

[Johnny Mullet]

Originally Posted by Chris D.

take a quick measurment
bumper to bumper so I can see if I can get a Metro to fit in behind my truck in the garage?
mucho appreciato'd man

I would love to, but I don't have a long enough tape measure here at home since all my tools are at work. I am also off the next 4 days

How about size 13 shoe steps?

After performing aeromods, I am sure my mileage will increase, but doing aeromods (minus the mirror and antenna) like the grill block and fender skirts make major appearance changes to the car, but in my opinion, they have to look "factory" or professional before I would consider installing them.

I have already lost some mudflap material on an experimental grill-block, because the adhesive did not hold at 55 MPH and one side flew off. I am now attempting to make an "internal" grill block, where the backside of the bumper slots would be blocked off. This will require much more work, but will look much better than an external one.

Why an "Internal" Grill block?



Notice the way the grill on this car actually "sweeps" to the outer sides of the car. My idea is to channel the airflow that way by blocking from the backside. Being that the vertical cross supports are going to cause some turbulence issues I may make a recessed block with individual pieces cut to fit just flush with the vertical slots.

Hopefully I get some time this weekend and post some updates on it.

[Hacksaw]

I think maybe 99metro is testing the theory that "the more potent the fuel, the bigger bang it generates, thus equaling more generated power per combustion event."

I, for one, believe it's completely logical to think one's mpg will increase with higher octane fuel. The opposite has rang true for E85, if I'm not mistaken...

That being said, I can barely bring myself to pay for regular at these prices, so I won't be using the "High Octane Mod" anytime soon!!!

@Chris D..Lengths are as follows for the hatchback Metro through 1994:
Length: 146.1 in.(89-91) 147.4 in.(92-94)

Hacksaw.

[bryn]

Originally Posted by Hacksaw

I, for one, believe it's completely logical to think one's mpg will increase with higher octane fuel. The opposite has rang true for E85, if I'm not mistaken...


Hacksaw.

high octane fuel will only increase mpg if your engine needs it to keep from knocking.
the lowest octane your car is made for will have the best milage return.
the additives that keep higher octane from pre combusting under high pressure/heat don't burn as well in a normal engine.
some higher octane fuels claim to help your engine run cleaner but a bottle of fuel injector cleaner when you change your oil will have about the same effect

the reason e85 gives such poor mpg is that it has a lower energy density, as ethanol has less BTU's than regular gasoline.

[an0nymous]

Johnny,
Why didn't you radius the valves? Longevity concerns? More trouble than it's worth?

[Formula413]

Originally Posted by bryn

high octane fuel will only increase mpg if your engine needs it to keep from knocking.
the lowest octane your car is made for will have the best milage return.
the additives that keep higher octane from pre combusting under high pressure/heat don't burn as well in a normal engine.
some higher octane fuels claim to help your engine run cleaner but a bottle of fuel injector cleaner when you change your oil will have about the same effect

Correct. Also keep in mind that E85 has a much higher octane rating than regular grades of gasoline. 105 to be exact.

[garys_1k]

Originally Posted by bryn

the reason e85 gives such poor mpg is that it has a lower energy density, as ethanol has less BTU's than regular gasoline.

Not quite, ethanol blends' effects on FE are not in line with its energy content. That's because FE drive cycles can actually improve volumetric efficiency with lower heating content fuel.

Some data:
http://www.ethanol.org/pdf/contentmg...yStudy_001.pdf
http://www.ethanol.org/pdf/contentmg...inal_12507.pdf

You can bet that the max. torque line fell in pretty much proportion to the lower heat content (unless the ECU allowed more spark with the ethanol, then the torque loss would be at least partially offset). But FE is a different issue -- lower heat content can improve things even if spark advance is constant.