Update! 36.51 mpg with s2000

[Quasimoto]

Just an update, my last two tanks were 36.51 mpg and 36.12 mpg. As the weather is getting warmer my mileage is getting even better. I was shocked at my recent mileage. I didn't think it was possible with a high compression engine. But I've been running it in 4th gear at 25, 6th gear at 35 and above; lots of coasting up to stop lights; 60 on the interstate, top up and top down. It seems like I get better mileage with the top down and windows up than with the top up. Of course once my 91' civic "project nose job" is done it'll be back to weekends for this one. Still it's nice to know that it's capable of this kind of mileage.

[BHarvey]

Excellent!

[Hauki]

Thats interesting, I thought colder air being more dense provides better burn would maybe make engine more FE. It has probably been covered a thousand times but there is so much info on this forum it will take some time before I find it!

[TomO]

Congrats! Always nice to be able to cruise around in a nice car and still get good mileage!

[Quasimoto]

My latest tank was 245.8 miles with 6.789 gal. for 36.2mpg. Always filling at the same pump at the same station.

[chris_kraft3]

Those are sweet numbers. Very good job.

[Quasimoto]

Thanks chris, I wonder what kind of mpg I would get if I modded it?

[Quasimoto]

Well my S2000 mileage experiment is over now that I've got my 91 civic back on the road. I am still astounded by the numbers I was able to attain; just by modifying my driving technique. So for now it goes back to using on weekends. After 12 fillups and 3467.1 miles I used 99.862 gal. for an average of 34.719 mpg. I would say that's astounding for an unmodified sports car designed more for racing than the street.

[beatr911]

Thanks for reporting! I was always curious what this high performance motor could do. High compression doesn't equal low fuel mileage, it just means that (usually) a higher octane rating is needed. High compression is also normally found on performance engines that are used as such and not used in an economical fashion.

Guess the S2000 is back on my list of cars to get. I love small high performance engines that aren't afraid to rev high on occasion. Motorcycles typically fit the bill for me, but when it's cold and rainy the S2000 seems like a great alternative.

I suppose if one was really dedicated, a modded S2000 with taller gearing and sleeker aero would be capable of 40mpg. But then it kind of loses some of the intent of the car.

[Quasimoto]

I think that with a few aero mods like a sleeker front end, a partial grill block, a full belly pan, and back wheel skirts; it could be reaching 40 mpg even without the taller gearing. Still having the option of winding her up when the urge hits you. Here's a few pics of what I tried last year.