WAI offset "bad" hypermiling... - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

Rower4VT · 07-19-2008, 10:57 PM

I installed a WAI about a 1/4 of the way into the last tank of gas. My mileage was great especially given that at least every other day I had a "bad" trip...meaning that I wasn't hypermiling perfectly...extended idling, excessive a/c use, mostly in-town trips. Hopefully I'll do better on the next tank and see that the WAI really does for me! I finally got my 90-day average at 40% above EPA...next hurdle, 50%. Hopefully new LRR tires and grill block will get me there. Not doing any EOC yet either, so there is definitely FE to be gained!

Bottom-line, it seems that Acura/Honda ECU's might positively react to warmer intake air in terms of getting better FE.

SVOboy · 07-20-2008, 12:28 AM

It does seem that way with the Hondas and Saturns, but not so much some other cars...

justpassntime · 07-20-2008, 12:39 AM

Whats the advantage of a WAI? I thought you wanted cold air because it is more dense and translates to more horsepower.

1.5Ldave · 07-20-2008, 01:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justpassntime

Whats the advantage of a WAI? I thought you wanted cold air because it is more dense and translates to more horsepower.

More air means more fuel to stay at stoich 14.7:1, which in most cases will increase power like you said, but also reduce fuel economy. Warm air being less dense means less fuel

On a side note, I was pleasantly surprised that my 91 civic has a WAI from the factory

justpassntime · 07-20-2008, 01:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1.5Ldave

More air means more fuel to stay at stoich 14.7:1, which in most cases will increase power like you said, but also reduce fuel economy. Warm air being less dense means less fuel

On a side note, I was pleasantly surprised that my 91 civic has a WAI from the factory

Thanks makes sense now, never thought of it that way.

Will · 07-20-2008, 01:38 AM

You could always be goofy like me. I stole the 4" vent off my wife's dryer and put it in my car. It goes from the aircleaner through the front and opens in the grille. It sounds stupid, but it seems to make a difference with my Metro in a little more power and about one mpg.

This was before I found this site, so, no I do not have any data.

Yes, my wife was pissed, but I bought her another.

justpassntime · 07-20-2008, 01:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Will

You could always be goofy like me. I stole the 4" vent off my wife's dryer and put it in my car. It goes from the aircleaner through the front and opens in the grille. It sounds stupid, but it seems to make a difference with my Metro in a little more power and about one mpg.

This was before I found this site, so, no I do not have any data.

Yes, my wife was pissed, but I bought her another.

Nice save!

Rower4VT · 07-20-2008, 12:55 PM

I used a heavier metal dryer duct also. My car is front wheel drive, but the engine is an inline 5-cylinder mounted longitudinally...like older Audis. So the air filter box is on opposite side of the engine compartment that the exhaust manifold is. The only air going into the air filter box is from the duct and the other end of the duct is sucking right off the radiator. It wouldn't win any awards, but it does the job. I'll try and post a pic.

millenniumtree · 07-20-2008, 07:40 PM

I guess I'll put my WAI tube BACK ON. I removed it when I did the head gasket a few years ago and never put it back on.

wwkayaker · 07-21-2008, 08:25 AM

WAI may work great on Hondas and Saturns, but don't put one on a Mazda or a Mitsubishi. I had a friend put one on his 01 Eclipse to try to improve mpg and he lost 10 mpg. He didn't change his driving habits after the mod. Then, he modified the WAI to a CAI with dryer hose and sheet metal. He gained 8 mpg over EPA. Mazdas and Mitsus react really well to CAI. I bought a CAI that I can just leave off the long metal pipe for it to be a WAI for my 05 Mitsu Lancer just in case. Now if I can just get the stupid stock air intake apart.