White Gnat exceeds 70 mpg in 2-way test

[wmjinman]

So it's been about 10,000 miles since I got the "new" engine, and in my mind, I "knew" 35 mph was my best MPG speed. However, after looking, it appears I never posted my test results on here. But yesterday, while cleaning up some of my mess, I came across the paper that had my mpg tests on it - and it was dated February 12,2013.

Well, that's been some time!! My mpg averages have gone up since then, I've changed to synthetic oil, had a wheel alignment, and installed my grille block since then -. Well, the ScanGauge seems to be behaving itself lately, so on the way back from Reno, I decided to run a few more tests to update things and/or see if there have been any changes.

I started at 35 mph, which I drive whenever I can because it's, after all, my "best mpg speed". Well, the 2-way test came out at 68.7 average. Now, I was pretty sure that's better than I remembered it. Anyway, I did another one at 40, then 45, then 50, but the mileage dropped significantly from 35 to 40, so just for fun, I thought I'd try it at 30. I never did it at 30 before - the engine would be lucky to be turning at 1000 rpm in 5th gear at that speed. But, I did it today, and the mpg was 70.2! Return trip, 70.2 again!! Since I had to go back the other way to get home, I went ahead and did a third run, same direction as the first, and hit 70.4!!!

So it's official - according to the ScanGauge, at least, I finally hit 70 mpg!!!! By comparison, many years ago when I bought my Honda Nighthawk 450 motorcycle, I was hoping to hit 60 mpg, and ecstatic when it ended up getting 70. Now my CAR has hit 70 - what's the next level beyond ecstatic?

[wmjinman]

Here are the results from both the February testing and the recent (November) testing.

Disclaimer; these are only the averages of one run each direction for each speed, so the data is weak. However, my goal was only to get an idea what my mileages were at different speeds - so I'd know about how much I would be gaining or losing with increased or decreased speeds. I think these numbers are good enough for that.

speed . mpg . mpg
. . Feb. 2013 . Nov. 2013
30 - . - - . - 70.267
35 - 62.7 . - 68.7
40 - 59.45 - 63.85
45 - 55.65 - 59.05
50 - 53.05 - 54.45
55 - 46.95
60 - 46.25
70 - 41.1
80 - 33.95

Since February, the engine had a chance to "break in" a little (it had only 7000 miles on it when I got it), and the air dam, and synthetic oil in both the engine & transaxle were implemented. I expect this combination explains the improvement since Feb.

One thing that should have HURT my mpg is the newly installed passengers side mirror, recently picked up in a junkyard & installed. I still have plans to eventually try to replace both stock mirrors with "mini" mirrors of some sort, but in the meantime, it's nice to have the increased visibility.