Terrible mpg's = new interest in old ideas.

[Tygen1]

Didn't really mean to thread jack....sorry!

The lexan worked out real well, easy to cut to fit because it is see thru Plus I had it lying around. Previously I had tried to use the lexan as a rear window on work truck I have. I used the specific adhesive caulk for the lexan, but it only held for a year before the presure of slamming the door popped it. I would only use the caulk if it were fastened securely.
I would never use the vinyl siding, as you said it is way to brittle. It was just a random thought. Although it does have the right shape and hieght. I would consider the Aluminum facia, but it will bend way to easy.
No need to illistrate further, I understand what you mean about cliping it on.
I'd like to think I have some skill that can be applied, and like to do good work, if I am able. But I like to keep things in perspective. If my bumper was perfect, I would have stuck some foam tape to the lexan so it wouldn't mar the paint. But with 238k on the car, the bumper is pretty rock chiped. I've been working on cars to quite a while now and never realized the benefit of areo mods. It amazes me how much more I have to learn. I've been reading up on Gassavers.com about this COZX2 who got 107mpg out of his ZX2....I can't wait till spring time to see what the warm weather will give me for mpg's. As the weather was changing I put on a header and better fuel injectors and that shot me up to 34.8 mpg from 32, when it was 34.5 in warm weather. Now I'm down to 32.5 last tank. My goal is to average 40+ mpg on my commute this summer

As to the orginal question of block heater. My ZX2 only takes 2 miles before I got hot air blowing out of my vents. I only idle it for less than one minute before taking off. I keep it under 2000 rpm for about 4 miles, by then it is pretty much fully warmed up. If I had a scangauge I would know what that was costing me....maybe next year I don't imagine it is killing my moderate mpg's figures that much.

[mhmitszach]

So upsetting. Just dipped under 30 mpg.

I had to idle at least 15 minutes total trying to get the battery charged enough not to die again.

Going to try not driving to school and getting rides. Should bring me up to about 35 mpg.

[Tygen1]

Played with the edging tonight, indoors, soooo much easier to bend
So far the grill block and mudflap removal seem to be working well, I'm about 1.5mpg ahead of the last tank, based on fuel gauge readings, which can be way off on the ZX2. Thursday night I'll be able to update the fuel log and see what I got.

The engine block heater really has me thinking though...

[mhmitszach]

Originally Posted by Tygen1

Played with the edging tonight, indoors, soooo much easier to bend
So far the grill block and mudflap removal seem to be working well, I'm about 1.5mpg ahead of the last tank, based on fuel gauge readings, which can be way off on the ZX2. Thursday night I'll be able to update the fuel log and see what I got.

The engine block heater really has me thinking though...

What mud flaps are you talking about?

Same for this edging. I'd like to see.

Also, Scanguage is saying this tank is 36 mpg at about 70 miles in.

If I go without having to drive to school and just get rides. My next highway driving will bring this tank even higher. I need to get a few tanks above 36 mpg to hold my average up.

[Christ]

Oops... forgot who the OP on this thread was... sorry for the Side convo there.

[Tygen1]

Originally Posted by mhmitszach

So upsetting. Just dipped under 30 mpg.

I had to idle at least 15 minutes total trying to get the battery charged enough not to die again.

Going to try not driving to school and getting rides. Should bring me up to about 35 mpg.

Why so concerned about your gas log average? Your doing great, you already have a tank over 40mpg with a lightly modified ATX, I think that is really good. It may be small potatos around here, but in the realm of what you have, it's excellent. Most ZX2 drop to under 30mpg in the winter anyhow.
I've put some time and thought into your question about the lockup torque converter and shifting earlier into fourth. Did quite a bit of searching and I believe it will be quite easy to make it lock up when ever you desire. I'm still trying to nail down the exact input voltage requirements, when I do, I will post up how to do it, of course after I try and get it working on my car. Getting it to shift into fourth earlier, will take a bit more effort, but it can be done similarly. I've got a dual motive here. I need better mpg's and a lower ET at the drag strip. I need to hold first past 6,000 rpm so when it shifts to second it is still in the meat of the power, and if I can get into fourth sooner, I got the power to pull it down around 30mph, so that ought to help mpg's quite a bit also. Basically I'm talking about making a box that allows you to manually shift your ATX. I know it's been done on other cars, not the ZX2 that I know of. I don't believe this will be complicated or expensive...
BTW, you really need to read COZX2's posts on Gassavers, he really did his ZX2 up nice.

[Tygen1]

[QUOTE=mhmitszach;77574]What mud flaps are you talking about?

Same for this edging. I'd like to see.QUOTE]

Didn't your ZX2 come with mudflaps? Mine had them behind all four tires. Little paracutes It warmed up here, I'll try and get the HD lip on if the rain stops.... I'm anxious to try it because this tank is doing really good. Should be somewhere around 35mpg, when the last tank was around 33.

[mhmitszach]

Originally Posted by Tygen1

Why so concerned about your gas log average? Your doing great, you already have a tank over 40mpg with a lightly modified ATX, I think that is really good. It may be small potatos around here, but in the realm of what you have, it's excellent. Most ZX2 drop to under 30mpg in the winter anyhow.
I've put some time and thought into your question about the lockup torque converter and shifting earlier into fourth. Did quite a bit of searching and I believe it will be quite easy to make it lock up when ever you desire. I'm still trying to nail down the exact input voltage requirements, when I do, I will post up how to do it, of course after I try and get it working on my car. Getting it to shift into fourth earlier, will take a bit more effort, but it can be done similarly. I've got a dual motive here. I need better mpg's and a lower ET at the drag strip. I need to hold first past 6,000 rpm so when it shifts to second it is still in the meat of the power, and if I can get into fourth sooner, I got the power to pull it down around 30mph, so that ought to help mpg's quite a bit also. Basically I'm talking about making a box that allows you to manually shift your ATX. I know it's been done on other cars, not the ZX2 that I know of. I don't believe this will be complicated or expensive...
BTW, you really need to read COZX2's posts on Gassavers, he really did his ZX2 up nice.

...not to sound like a noob.

but...

THAT WOULD BE AWESOME.

If I could get into fourth gear earlier my gas mileage would improve so much. I have to hold it and push it so long to get it to shift most of the time if I'm not going straight to 55. Even trying to get up to 55 it can really push the throttle up to get it to shift.

I couldn't imagine getting into 4th at like 35. City driving would be better than highway!


Also, don't think my has mud flaps at all? None that I've ever seen of at least.

[Tygen1]

Originally Posted by mhmitszach

...not to sound like a noob.

but...

THAT WOULD BE AWESOME.

If I could get into fourth gear earlier my gas mileage would improve so much. I have to hold it and push it so long to get it to shift most of the time if I'm not going straight to 55. Even trying to get up to 55 it can really push the throttle up to get it to shift.

I couldn't imagine getting into 4th at like 35. City driving would be better than highway!


Also, don't think my has mud flaps at all? None that I've ever seen of at least.

I'm a noob and I think it would be awesome as well!
So how is your's shifting into fourth so late? I can just hold my rpm's at 2,000 and the car will stedily accelerate and shift into fourth between 40-45mph every time. Just enough acceleration to keep the people stuck behind me happy. How many miles on your trans? You may be having some slipage issues or a solenoid may be not be reacting fast enough....
I've almost got it figured out, maybe by next week I'll have some plans put together. Won't have the time to build anything until the new year though...

[mhmitszach]

Originally Posted by Tygen1

I'm a noob and I think it would be awesome as well!
So how is your's shifting into fourth so late? I can just hold my rpm's at 2,000 and the car will stedily accelerate and shift into fourth between 40-45mph every time. Just enough acceleration to keep the people stuck behind me happy. How many miles on your trans? You may be having some slipage issues or a solenoid may be not be reacting fast enough....
I've almost got it figured out, maybe by next week I'll have some plans put together. Won't have the time to build anything until the new year though...

Well, mine is about the same. It just takes a lot longer in the cold and I push it to shift because it won't get going any faster otherwise. It'll hold about 43-44 at 2100-2200 rpm unless i give it more gas.

I've been holding it at about 25-26 throttle position and 2500rpm as opposed to in warmer weather 23-24 and 2000 rpm.

I got the car at 106k and I'm at 120k now. As far as I know everything is original on the engine and transmission.

Rebuilt title so who really knows.

You should give me the plans so I can attempt it over xmas break time! =D