New member 350z

[StressReliefT9X]

Alright so I have an 06 nissan 350z and am making a 1500 mile road trip this weekend. I have put a front air dam on to increase the mileage a little bit but would like input on the small little mud flaps that are there. They aren't large but are somewhat tear drop shaped. The front is cut off also. If yall have any tips or tricks other then watch the gas pedal that would be awesome. I have only put on the front lip and taken all the plastic out of my car. I also have done bigger engine/chassis grounds and a larger alternator positive wire. I did that for car audio but for this road trip I have taken the massive amount of weight out of the car. On my way to work and home on the highway at 60 m.p.h. I see roughly 31.8 mpg. I know that is good but would like 33ish. Picture should be included (not of my car) showing the flaps

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Tyre pressure also plays a key role in fuel-efficiency.

[StressReliefT9X]

Manufacturer recommended tire pressure is 35 p.s.i. now I'm okay with sacrificing some traction for better mileage. What p.s.i. would be recommended?

[user removed]

45 or sidewall max (on the tire).

regards
mech

[MetroMPG]

Some quick 'n' easy mods for a road trip:

- Tire pressure (beyond ~55 PSI sees dramatically diminished returns in my experience)
- partial grille block (only if you can monitor temp via OBD-II gauge to make sure you don't exceed the threshold for running the e-fan all the time)
- Exterior mirror delete / replace with large interior convex
- zip tie on some flat wheel discs (assuming you're not driving hard on a track or in the mountains). Find some discarded plastic like coroplast.
- rear wiper arm delete

Those things would net you a 5% increase at highway speeds easily.

Cruising speed has the biggest impact of course.

Let us know what you do & how it goes!

[Vman455]

Increasing your tire pressure won't cost you traction; autocrossers regularly up their tire pressures, and varying front and rear pressures can be used to fine-tune the handling balance.

[StressReliefT9X]

So what about the mud flaps. Should I take them off or do you think since they are so small they have little to no effect on the aerodynamics? Also with the rim design that I have I'm worried about air pressure getting behind the rim and popping the plastic out and causing a bubble since the center of my rim is roughly 2 inches in compared to the spokes. 5 spoke staggered fitment design

[MetroMPG]

That would be even better! Convex > flat > open spokes. Put some painters tape on the spokes so the disc doesn't chafe the finish if they're just zipped on.

Hard to say with those OEM mud guards. The front ones in the pic you posted are actually faired/tapered nicely into the rocker. Rear ones I'd pull off though.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Exterior mirror delete / replace with large interior convex

Using external mirrors from some random sports motorcycle, which are usually more aerodynamic, isn't so radical as a mirror delete, but some people are still more comfortable having external mirrors, and in theory would be less prone to caught unwanted attention from the police.

[royanddoreen]

I also have a Z. I love it and plan to keep it. I have a few post which you could check out. Hope to hear more from you.