Terrible mpg's = new interest in old ideas. - Page 22 - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

Tygen1 · 08-19-2009, 12:49 PM

Good to see you around Moorecomp! Now that you got some steady money and a lot of miles to drive, hit home depot for the grill block and lip, they made a big difference on the highway for me. 104 miles each day should give you plenty of chances to learn how to drive better and see if your changes help. I also joined your team, although they are rated by mpg, if it was by percent over EPA, then we'd be in second

Zach, how many miles do you drive in the city? I ask becuase you are getting just about what I get in the city, I got 40+ miles of highway each day to bump up my average.

mhmitszach · 08-19-2009, 03:22 PM

Somewhere between 50-100 miles a tank is city driving at 30-35mpg. My highway trips are only maybe 38-40 mpg now. They just don't seem to get up there.

moorecomp · 08-19-2009, 03:32 PM

Check out the photo albums in my profile, as I already have done some mods.

Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum - EcoModder.com - View Profile: moorecomp

My stealth kill switch is one I want to post a thread for, but I have not had time to take it all apart and take pictures. I mounted my normal-closed / momentary-open switch in the center console so that pressing on the release button on the e-brake lever activates the switch to kill the injectors. There is a small realease pawl in the handle that engages teeth on the lever mechanism to keep the handle up. When the handle is in the down position, the pawl moves down enough that it activates the switch I mounted under it. Being a MTX, I EOC and bump start as much as I can. If I do it right, people riding with me don't even know I shut the engine off or restarted it.

I might try rear skirts, but I want to keep my ride looking good too. Besides being a computer tech, I am a licensed aircraft mechanic and have experience with composites, so I may try fiberglass and foam. Need a warm air intake too, but as you know, under the hood it appears there is no easy way to do it.

Keep up the good work guys!

Go team!

mhmitszach · 08-28-2009, 03:20 PM

36 mpg on the way there just driving along with my dad. Was at 37 until I hit traffic in bloomington

Could've easily been 40 had I coasted a little and didn't have to play catch up in traffic

I was driving around 65-70 the majority of the way too.

Tygen1 · 08-28-2009, 10:56 PM

Are you going to the University of Illinois? I'm from Illinois, right near Peoria

Keep it up, I've found that hills are pretty important to get that mpg up above what your cruising mpg is. A recent trip to SC, thru gentle hills produced lower mpg than the trip thru PA and the big hills. Either way 50+ mpg highway is pretty nice

I've also found that a HAI for the ZX2 will provide some good results, possibly why my mpg is a bit better than yours. With IAT's around 110 I was getting 45mpg at 50mph and a 21 TPS. With IAT's around 140, at 50mph and a 21 TPS I was getting 55mpg, both while cruising in similar terrian. Makes me wonder what the upper limit for IAT temps are?

Christ · 08-28-2009, 11:03 PM

Ty - there's a ZX2 within a 50 mile radius of my house for like $350... says it might need a tranny, 1st and 2nd gears are "weird". (Don't engage/disengage properly)

Other than that, it looks good, and he says it runs good. Dunno if you'd be interested in picking it up, but thought I'd let you know.

It's on Craigslist... I can't remember which town, though. I'll look if you want.

Tygen1 · 08-28-2009, 11:24 PM

Wish I had the cash to flip it, but things are tight right now. I already got two cars I need to flip... However, is it a manual?

Christ · 08-28-2009, 11:26 PM

It is, manual indeed. I figured if you knew anything about the linkages of the manuals, it might be worth it to you for the manual swap and whatever spare parts you can get.

If I had the money, I'd get it myself and flip it. I'm sure it either needs a clutch or a linkage adjustment/fix.

moorecomp · 08-29-2009, 01:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tygen1

Are you going to the University of Illinois? I'm from Illinois, right near Peoria

Keep it up, I've found that hills are pretty important to get that mpg up above what your cruising mpg is. A recent trip to SC, thru gentle hills produced lower mpg than the trip thru PA and the big hills. Either way 50+ mpg highway is pretty nice

I've also found that a HAI for the ZX2 will provide some good results, possibly why my mpg is a bit better than yours. With IAT's around 110 I was getting 45mpg at 50mph and a 21 TPS. With IAT's around 140, at 50mph and a 21 TPS I was getting 55mpg, both while cruising in similar terrian. Makes me wonder what the upper limit for IAT temps are?

Hey, I grew up in Pekin and N. Pekin. 1978 grad PCHS. Then I moved to Michigan to work in the ski resort business.

Tygen1 · 08-29-2009, 09:52 AM

ChrisT, a manual ZX2 is very tempting....I just keep reassuring myself there will be another cheap one next year when I am ready for a mtx swap.....
Typically it is a syncro issue or bent shift fork for the ZX2 trans, they don't hold up under abuse. Transmissions can still be gotten for less than 100, and if the car is fairly clean you could easily sell it for 1500+.

That's pretty neat Moorecomp. I grew up in Washington

I just say near Peoria because if you aren't from there, you wouldn't have any idea, but most folks have heard of Peoria. Graduated WaCoHi in '92

You got a few years on me