A very cautious introduction...
 

Hey, all! I feel like I'm stepping into hostile territory here, but I'll introduce myself anyways! (You'll see what I'm talking about in a moment.)

I wouldn't consider myself much of an ecomentalist... I drive a large Chevrolet SUV with a v8 petrol engine, I love my fast, powerful cars, and I'm not about to change my lifestyle and hobbies just yet. At the same time, I take personal responsibility for using my resources efficiently, and I never back down from a challenge, so when I started reading about "hypermiling" and found the EcoModders forum, I figured I'd have a go.

My dream is to eventually join the ranks of the great car builders, like Carroll Shelby, Bruce McLaren and all the rest, as well as own my own company building modified cars. However, in the recent years, that dream has started to appear very difficult to reach as fuel prices have tripled in the last few years, and Big Blocks and double-pumper 4bbl carburetors are on the verge of being forgotten forever.

I realized recently that I can achieve my goals and better the world at the same time - why not modify vehicles to be more fuel efficient, while sacrificing as little "Joie de Conduire" as possible. Am I crazy?

You're not crazy, there are quite a few people trying to get that kind of thing...it can be expensive though, :p. I feel like electric is where the new eco-hotrods are going to be.

Welcome to ecomodder!

Welcome. I don't think you'll find this place too hostile at all - plenty of truck owners here trying to do their best with what they've got. If you happen to need a truck as a tool, doesn't mean you have to abandon wanting to use that tool as efficiently as possible.

As for making a business out of efficiency mods - Toyota seems to have made a good case for its hybrids, and GM is trying desperately to convince people its upcoming efficiency projects are worth saving our pennies to buy some day (Volt). Tesla Motors comes to mind as well...

There are numerous Hot-Rod enthusiasts around. Many keep the Hot-Rod, Truck and Hobby, but utilize a fuel sipper for everyday driving. Welcome aboard! :)

Welcome!

The Tesla is selling like Hot Cakes!!!

If someone offered one of those in the mid 20's I'll get one!!!

Not asking much...to be more specific...

100 mile range
100 hp
Nimble 2 seater

That's as low and flat as the Tesla.

I... would sell very important bits of myself for that car.

Welcome to EM. I've been tooling around in a Wrangler so I know the feeling

I also own a truck and welcome truck owners to do what they can to save a few bucks in fuel.

Well, it's been ordered like hotcakes, anyway. They have yet to actually deliver a car to a customer.

Still, if they actually manage to deliver cars before they fold, they will have a bright future. More so if they eventually deliver on their promise of a $30k electric sedan.

Besides, peak torque at 0 rpm? Yes, please.

welcome to the site from another newbie to the eco-scene

want to make a big impact on the car/truck world?

put gas/electric or diesel/electric hybrid motors into the classics. remove metal and add fiberglass. add some subtle aero-mods, and i think you'll get a lot of business.

Welcome!

AmIDoinItRite -

Welcome to EM! I won't diss you if you promise not to squish me when I am snailing along in the far right lane, ;) .

There are tons of performance things that should be "transferable" to Ecomodding with the right tuning. Maybe you can come up with the magic "three way switch" that we all flip when we want to go from MPG to Normal to High Performance mode.

CarloSW2

Well if you decrease weight and increase engine efficiency then you will have good acceleration while getting a responsive machine. Correct me if I am wrong but didnt the old Porsche 911's and 356's have roughly a 2.0 liter engine, get 25+ MPG, and have a top speed of over 160?

heh.. so wouldn't we all

Are you a FL native? I want to say no due to your use of the word "petrol" all my british friends use it, and I've started using it somewhat more.. :) I'm over by Disney World:turtle: