XFI Improvements

[kgoering]

Hi All
Wanted to thank you for a fantastic forum. I recently rescued a '93Metro XFI 3/5 hatchback from a pasture where it had been sitting for 3 years. Of course the drivers window was down.
Finally got the electrical problem resolved and have been driving it for about 3weeks with mpg results averaging about ~42mpg. My daily commute consists of 44 miles @ 65mph and about 20 city.
To the best of my knowledge the car is totally stock; including the 12" tires.
Would a 10' cam gear help with the type of driving that I do?
Thanks in advance for your input.

[Johnny Mullet]

It is not recommended to run an advanced timing gear with the stock XFi Metro. Upgrading to 13" tires and slowing down to 60 MPH will net your best MPG increase.

[kgoering]

Johnny
Thanks for the feedback. What 13" tire specifically would you recommend?
Keith

[MadisonMPG]

You can go two routes with this.

Low price, and Low RR.

Low price: higher RR, better handling (sometimes), worse gas mileage
Low RR: Higher price, worse handling (sometimes), better gas mileage

You need to look around, and see the fuel economy benifits of LRR tires and factor in the life of the tire with gas prices *an average price* and then see if LRR tires will "pay for themselves". If they do not, I would recommend you just get cheaper tires.

I think the ones on my Geo are 165/80 13, i'll go check. I really like these tires, if that helps you with a decision. You may be able to go a bit taller if you really want MPGs.

[Christ]

I buy tires from the local junkyard without consideration to rolling resistance. They're $10 per tire, and I usually get them basically new.

I'm not convinced that RR allows enough of a change in fuel economy for me to start sourcing and buying low RR tires compared to just continuing to do what I do normally. Besides, I usually end up with a 2 year or better stock pile of tires when I'm all said and done for my junkyard season.

[Johnny Mullet]

P155/80R13 will give you better mileage. P175/70R13 will be about the same height, give you more stability, and look better, but slight hit on MPG's