06-03-2008, 12:40 PM
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#1 (permalink)
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EcoModding Lurker
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Taller top gear makes a real difference (10%)
I have a fun little project for my first post:
My daily driver of choice isn't quite as economical as some of the cars I see here, but it's hardly a gas guzzler. I drive a 1994 Mazda Protege LX with the DOHC 1.8L 125hp engine. Unlike it's SOHC counterpart, the gearbox has much shorter gear ratios that make driving a frustratingly high-rpm experience at normal highway speeds. After some research, I discovered that a taller gear was available from a Ford Probe (this platform shares many parts with several other cars).
Some pictures:
Check out the full article I wrote about doing the mod.
I've seen a 10% improvement in highway mileage (which varies significantly with my driving style on a given tank). Since the change in gear ratio is also about 10%, this seems pretty reasonable to me.
-Chris
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06-03-2008, 02:24 PM
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#2 (permalink)
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Master EcoModder
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Hello Chris,
Is that the final drive you changed out? [Edit: I should have read the link first...] I would love to take the final drive from a Yaris and put it in my xA...it would be about a 15% improvement! (3.72 vs 4.312)
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06-03-2008, 02:32 PM
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#3 (permalink)
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Administrator
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That is just his 5th gear set. The final drive ratio is the gear reduction that takes place at the differential. So, you'd have to swap in a new differential into the xA. Also, lower RPMs don't directly translate to better FE. It is all dependant on the engine design.
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06-03-2008, 02:38 PM
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#4 (permalink)
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Dartmouth 2010
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Nice swap! That's definitely nothing to scoff at.
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06-03-2008, 02:52 PM
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#5 (permalink)
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Administrator
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See this thread for some info I had collected when I was considering doing the same thing.
I do agree with SVOboy though, very nice job. |
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06-03-2008, 02:58 PM
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#6 (permalink)
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EcoModding Lurker
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Nice!
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06-03-2008, 03:01 PM
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#7 (permalink)
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Master EcoModder
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Pardon a stupid question, but did putting in a taller gear mess up the accuracy of your speedometer and odometer?
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06-03-2008, 03:04 PM
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#8 (permalink)
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EcoModding Enthusiast
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i feel you on the protege. I believe i'm somewhere north of 3500 RPM at 70mph in 5th. Very cool to hear you're getting significant results.
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06-03-2008, 03:07 PM
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#9 (permalink)
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Hypermiler
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In some cases. In other cases, including Hondas like mine, the speed sensor is downstream of the transmission, so it runs at wheel speed, regardless of engine speed.
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11-mile commute: 100 mpg - - - Tank: 90.2 mpg / 1191 miles
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06-03-2008, 03:13 PM
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#10 (permalink)
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Master EcoModder
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I just wish my turbododges had overdrive.... 3 speed autos FTL!
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'05 Outback XT, 19 mpg
BP-turbo 93 Festiva (long gone)
1/4 mile - 12.50@111.5
Best MPG - 36.8
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