Starting to Mod my Xfi

[Johnny Mullet]

Originally Posted by bbjsw10

I didn't want to remove catalytic converter kinda goes against the whole ECOmodder part

I thought about that myself, but I figured that I am not trying to save the world, just trying to save myself a few dollars.

Looking forward to the updates! Hope you got a new "donut" gasket for the manifold.

[bbjsw10]

Originally Posted by Johnny Mullet

Hope you got a new "donut" gasket for the manifold.

Yeah I have that on order it came today a few tomorrow and the rest Saturday morn. I will install all Saturday and hope to do the tensioner/ lifters on Sunday.

I just hope exhaust is the main problem. I can't afford too many more for a while now. Atleast til I pay the boss back.

[bbjsw10]

Well did exhaust this morning and tensioner/lifters this afternoon. I need to pull the lifters again I think I may have not primed one, DUH. It is knocking on one. I may soak them over night in laquer thinner unless I get in a rush, which I am known to do. The exhaust looks and sounds better now. The cat was not plugged but was almost non-existent on inside. The muffler was totally wasted in inside, I am thinking it may have been bouncing around and plugging it's self up. I may post a new video tomorrow, maybe.

[bbjsw10]

Well I finally got lifters done.(Never drop the small check ball and spring on the floor took 3 hours to find that stupid thing, Garage sale stuff set up in garage) Nice and quiet now. Tensioner is good and quiet too. I found a cracked vacuum hose too while I was in there. That is probably what was hurting my mileage, just don't tell the wife. I am sure the exhaust was too though. My vacuum is higher than ever now. About 20-21 at idle and 17-18 cruising at 35 on level ground.

Here is a video I made on my vacuum gauge. I will make a better one later when I figure out how to mount camera instead of holding it, Not so safe to be doing so I went out on back road and did it.

How much increase would I expect from removing spare tire and jack, so forth. I just don't like the idea of not having a spare.

EDIT: replaced video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SM5Ory6QDE

[bbjsw10]

I installed my alternator cut off tonight. I am gonna make a new thread on it I have a few questions on it. I notice a drastic difference when shutting it off. I can tell it will improve my mileage, probably more so than any other mod I have done to date. It is amazing how much an alternator draws our lil motor down.

[dentprone]

Slowly sifting through your thread, lots of good tips and info. Lord willing, I will be the owner of 3 early 90's Metros (Central FL cars, so no rust) next week. I look forward to the alternator thread.

[bbjsw10]

Well I got 58.39 this fill!! I still believe there are more issues on this car I just need to find them, and afford to fix them. 1 1/2 off from 60 sucks. Was hoping to hit it this time. I also need to get off my butt and get an MpGuino. The vacuum gauge is helping but I think that would be better, I like seeing actual figures to work off of. I don't know if I am driving it totally right yet too.

Hey JM, if you are still reading this, mind taking me for a ride in yours at the meet to show me how you drive. You get good numbers without many mods just technique I want to see how you do it.

[Will]

Well, Johnny just joined the list of "dream ride-alongs". F-16 Fighting falcon, F/A-18 Super Hornet, AH-64 Apache, and Mullet's Metro!

Seriously, it amazes me the MPGs that Johnny and Darin pull from these "late" model Metros! It would be a good ride.

[Johnny Mullet]

Sure! We can do a ride-along.

[bbjsw10]

I have started accelerating differently, I was taking off at 10in. hg. now I have began to take on in first shift to second at like 5 mph, and 2nd-4th about 4-5in. hg.

I have an A/Fuel ratio gauge and at this position of throttle it stays a lil more on the lean side.(I have been listening for spark knock none what so ever) If I give it any more throttle than this it goes into open loop and stays pegged at rich. It kinda has a little sweet spot right there at about 40-50% throttle, it is a very small area I have to watch A/F gauge very closely or it goes rich. I can't move my foot more than 1/8" or I lose this spot. I also must shift about 2200-2500 rpm to stay in this fuel reading. Maybe it is the Xfi ecu has a different map.

This should in theory reduce my pumping loss of the engine by not "bogging" it down at the lower throttle position. I guess only time will tell on this method I hope it does do what I am thinking it will. Another added benefit of this is that I reach cruising speed in 5th about 5-10 seconds sooner, which is probably the most efficient speed for this car 35mph in 5th.

I am just really hoping I may be on to something hear, or for all I know I may lose mileage from this. From what my gauge says though I have good feelings on this one, Wish me luck.