New ecomodder member - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

cmittle · 04-26-2008, 01:25 PM

I'm Cory, I live in Sioux Falls, SD and currently drive a 1988 chevy nova. I get about 32 average mpg on the interstate (~75mph). I joined this forum primarily because of the MPGuino project. I would like to build one of these to hook up to the Honda Fit I plan on buying in the fall, and possibly one to hook up to my girlfriends 02 civic if she'll let me.
I graduated last fall with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, and my hobbies include car/motorcycle modification/repair, building things (wood or steel) and playing with computers (built an Xubuntu based file server after graduation).

I look forward to reading a lot of information on here to improve my mileage. I've already got a couple things that I'd like to try on my nova; rear wheel covers and an underbody cover.

Cory

DifferentPointofView · 04-26-2008, 01:27 PM

wow, what engine are you running in the Nova? that's pretty good for 75mph. Welcome to EM!

SVOboy · 04-26-2008, 07:35 PM

Welcome to the site,

Pictures of the nova?

Lazarus · 04-26-2008, 07:39 PM

Welcome to the community. That's good MPG's at 75. You should do well with it.

MetroMPG · 04-27-2008, 01:02 PM

Glad to have another MPGuino interested member. Welcome.

cmittle · 04-27-2008, 06:46 PM

The nova has a strong running little Toyota 1.6L carburated engine. I'm really happy with this car since I paid a whole 350 dollars to buy the car. I've put about 200 dollars worth of parts (exhaust, starter, cv shaft) on it so I'm up to 550 dollars total cost of the car. I haven't taken any pictures of the Nova since it's kind of a beater. Thanks for the warm welcome.

Arminius · 04-27-2008, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmittle

The nova has a strong running little Toyota 1.6L carburated engine. I'm really happy with this car since I paid a whole 350 dollars to buy the car. I've put about 200 dollars worth of parts (exhaust, starter, cv shaft) on it so I'm up to 550 dollars total cost of the car. I haven't taken any pictures of the Nova since it's kind of a beater. Thanks for the warm welcome.

The readers on autobloggreen hate me for promoting people like you. The environmental impact of someone driving a relatively efficient used car is miniscule compared to buying a new hybrid, but few can grasp that concept. The financial advantages over a lifetime are also immense, whether or not you compare it to buying a new or used hybrid. How many cars like yours could you buy for $24,000? You're recycling on a grand scale.

Ryland · 04-28-2008, 12:39 AM

When you replaced the CV shaft did you change the tranny fluid? if not it might be worth while, I assume it's a 5 speed? it might also be worth running some carb cleaner thru the fuel, checking to make sure all your wheels spin freely by jacking them up one at a time, and if you need to get new tires at any point make sure they are 155/80 R13" as those cars sometimes had wider tires but run best with the narrow ones, they are a nice car, had a friend who had one that was in awesome shape, but blew the head gasket on it, and instead of fixing it just let it sit, by the time I saw it it had sat for a number of years.