Things are looking up.
 

In late Feb I got a 1992 Saturn SC with a 5 sp. It was a total basket case, but I gave em $300 for it. I've done some work to it, broke the 40 mpg barrier pretty quick but I want 53 mpg from it. Started on some simple aero mods over the weekend along with a WAI. By aero I mean I used all weather scotch duct tape to close up the cracks around the trunk and sunroof. I don't have definitive mpgs yet as I've only driven from work. This trip has been costing me almost a quarter tank of gas, but today the needle is still on full. I'm excited about that. Suppose I'm full-on eco geek now.

Once you start slapping on the tape aero mods, there's no turning back. :D

That goal isn't much over the double mark, I believe you can do it. Adjusting the nut behind the wheel is most important and do drive safely.

Have you seen cars for inspiration like the "Anal Probe" and "Aerocivic"?

Go for it!

ok so the vacuum guage has done me some wonders, as it appears i got a huge bump. still, might be a fluke. if it's not, i should be able to get to work the rest of the week without filling again. if it is, then it just is and i'll keep plugging along at it.

51 MPG sure looks good. But short fills like that can sometimes be inaccurate. You'll have a better idea next fill!

I've long wondered how those first gen SC's would do. They look cool, for sure. Good luck! The shape is close to my former "Anal [Ford] Probe" so perhaps the rear window is "good" aerodynamically... have you tested it?

not tested anything really. but looking at angles and some rough measurements i've been able to ascern that the spoiler on the back is indeed functional. it's weird though that they didn't ever put those on the sohc models, that i know of. i did read anal probe, and have to admit i'm inspired. if i can get the innards to hold together i'm gonna see if i can mimick it.

yeah, it didn't play out like i had hoped. lol

edit: today i discovered i'm having some fueling issues which are far more apparent now that i'm getting the engine squared away. there's a sweet 02 sl1 on a local used lot.