New car, new goals. 91 Ford festiva - Page 10 - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

paintme205 · 06-03-2014, 11:37 PM

Well this weekend was another mod / repair weekend.

I had previously replaced the valve cover seal but was still getting a 5 quart loss of oil every 300 miles. Annoying to say the least. I changed the cam and crank seal and it appears I am at least 98% good now on oil leaks. I haven't driven enough to see.

On the modification side of things, I started an underbelly pan. I also added a little fender skirt for the front wheels to minimize wheel well gap.

Anyone think these will help a little? Any tips or thoughts?

Thursday I am doing my 120 mile commute each way so hopefully I will have some new MPG numbers by then.

So what is left that I can do? My thoughts are:
Finish underbelly pan
smooth wheel covers for rear wheels
Alternator delete with spare battery in the car
Gut rest of trunk and interior (maybe 55 pounds here) Can't remove front seats.

A boattail is out of the question due to using the hatch almost daily to carry car parts and other heavy items.

Someone help me reach my goal of 60@60 MPH.

mikeyjd · 06-04-2014, 08:06 AM

Fan delete
Warm air intake
Kammback

paintme205 · 06-04-2014, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeyjd

Fan delete
Warm air intake
Kammback

I have a kammback. So only thing I can really do is extend it a little.

I tried the fan delete but I was overheating within 5 miles. Just too hot here in Oklahoma with a grill block.

The warm air intake may be worth a shot. Not sure how to test the theory though....Will have to do some research.

mikeyjd · 06-04-2014, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paintme205

I have a kammback. So only thing I can really do is extend it a little.

I tried the fan delete but I was overheating within 5 miles. Just too hot here in Oklahoma with a grill block.

The warm air intake may be worth a shot. Not sure how to test the theory though....Will have to do some research.

It looks pretty good from the side too. I'm surprised it overheated so quickly. Do you have a 100% grill block?

Here is my grill block. I never had a fan since day 1 and never overheated, and I drove over an hour in 100+ heat.

bhazard · 06-05-2014, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cowmeat

Jeez man, that's crazy!

Not sure what mine would do on the track, but I'm pretty sure it would only do it once . . . . pretty sure I see why you're driving something else now, lol!

There was a Festiva down here for sale for the longest time that had been rebuilt as a mid-engine RWD Hyabusa-powered, supposedly street legal. He must have sold it, but here's a link to it

Hayabusa Mid-Engine 1989 Ford Festiva

I've probably logged 100+ passes down the drag strip, the car takes an insane beating but just wont die.

I drive something else now because 25-30 mpg just dont cut it anymore and I wanted something comfortable and quiet.

The Busa powered stiva is well known on the festiva forum, a guy named Vinnie owns it. Not sure if he managed to sell it or not.

paintme205 · 06-05-2014, 09:34 PM

I have a complete grill block so that may be why I need the fan. There is no openings. That is about to change tonight though.

My trip today was 51 MPG at 60 MPH. I'm beginning to question whether it's going to be possible to hit 60 MPG with straight cruising at 60 MPH. I know P&G would be easy.

I think the belly pan helped a little but I made a stop halfway on my trip and the car completely cooled down. Normally I don't do that.

So basically I'm scratching my head at this point and just going to drive a little bit and see what other crazy ideas I come up with.

mikeyjd · 06-05-2014, 09:40 PM

I started with 100% block and slowly added more ventilation as I needed it. My picture is what I needed without a fan.

paintme205 · 06-06-2014, 12:06 PM

Yeah I need to add more ventilation for sure. Mine is completely blocked.

paintme205 · 07-07-2014, 10:48 PM

Got bored and found some more free sheet metal. Came off an old fridge door. I extended the kammback roughly 8 inches and also began development of a filler piece as well. I got the passenger side done before running out of daylight.

I added a support bar in the middle of the kammback which likely raised it a degree or two as well. I tried to put the pic in the streamlining template but it's not cooperating. I need to get a better one on flat ground anyways.