Pre Computer Data Logging

[Frank Lee]

50... OK.... well you can see what it takes to get 50 by looking at the vehicles here that do it. Pretty sure there are no V8 4x4s in that group...

[gilbogger]

When I bought it, it was with an Edlebrock intake and a Holly Pro-Jection 2D fuel injection kit. I switched to an Edlebrock carb, found the Holly 2D to be a bit of a pain and couldn't afford one of the nicer fuel injection kits.

I replaced my whole ignition system with a Malloy HEI dist, which I've been quite pleased with. It's tight next to the power steering pump is my only "negative" comment.

I'm getting 21mpg highway, but I have 2.73:1 gears.

I've sketched out what it would take to data log with an Arduino using custom sensors. I've never played with an Arduino but I have a background in web programming, it would be fairly simple to setup an Arduino based SD card logger for $300-$400 or so.

This expensive hurdle is fuel metering with a carb. With fuel injection it's much easier to solve with known injector rates. Fuel flow meters are expensive ($1,800ea Edlebrock to $400ea for marine grade) and I understand them to have accuracy issues by their very design. For a carb setup, two meters are necessary for send and return lines.

Taking total fuel consumption would provide aggregate fuel information, but would fall short of showing actual usage at a moment of interest.

Apparently some early fuel injected Ford/Mercury's had flow meters on them, the decked out versions had a digital real-time MPG readout that got data from a flowmeter, I believe it was an aftermarket part installed at the factory, vs a Ford part number. I'm going to keep my eyes open for them during junkyard visits, but they we not common.

I think the most reliable setup would be flowmeters who's data is checked and then adjusted by the manual tank-to-tank logging. It would still be a tad fuzzy but should close enough to be reasonable, especially with enough data samples to make the comparison meaningful.

The rest of the logging is pretty straightforward, an Arduino GPS module could be tied in,...a two axis gyroscope could indicate hills and turns, tach output for engine rpm, magnetic sensors for driveshaft and axle rpm and then some voltage reading for temperature sensors etc. Then take manual environment readings to append to the digital log.

Would be an interesting project.

[gilbogger]

"50... OK.... well you can see what it takes to get 50 by looking at the vehicles here that do it. Pretty sure there are no V8 4x4s in that group..."

I think you mean there are no V8 4x4s in that group...yet.

[Frank Lee]

I mean there are no V8 4x4s in the group... ever.

Use the aero calculator to estimate what mods it would take.

[gilbogger]

all over but the crying, huh? christ...

thanks for setting me straight.

[Frank Lee]

I am always here to help!

[Frank Lee]

I did a search for every Jeep in the EM garage.

Highest one was mpd8488's '97 XJ at 28.51mpg, but I consider that bogus as there is only one entry in the fuel log.

Next up is dadag's '07 Patriot with 25.29 mpg. It's 4x4 but it's only a 4 banger too, so that doesn't count. BUT if it did count, you'd have to DOUBLE it's efficiency.

There are no Grand Wagoneers in the garage with fuel logs.

I did a search for engines 4.8l and up. There were zero entries that met the V8 4x4 criteria that even hit 20 mpg for a lifetime average. There were a few entries above 20 mpg that were only single-entry logs- disqualified. There were a few 2x4s but only "jeeterstruck", a '94 Dodge SLT 5.2l a/t, averages 23.06 mpg. And there's three or so diesels that are above 20.

Good luck to ya.

[gilbogger]

this really seems to be bugging you. your "help" is overwhelming.

correct, 50mpg is a lofty goal
correct, 50mpg is more than double 18mpg
correct, there isn't really a history of ecomodding a Grand Wagoneer

what can I say, I like my bourbon spicy. no one is making you drink.

[Frank Lee]

I would like to put VW in it's place by modding my Tempo to get 300 mpg.

Doesn't mean it's going to happen. Doesn't mean it'll get anywhere close. Not even with professional help (for the CAR)!

[gilbogger]

defying physics is a rather narrow assessment of a problem and possible solutions.

but if that's the brush you like to paint with,...then I think I would be best served by spending my resources and time into developing a time machine that will somehow defy physics enough to get me out of this conversation with you.