I have a question on gas mileage after upgrades on the engine. I've always wondered if putting on a short ram/cold air intake, hotter spark plugs, upgraded ignition wires, header, exhaust, etc. affects the gas mileage on our cars in any way. Does it improve it or worsen it. Any insight will be appreciated. Thanx!
Brian West Melbourne, FL 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse RS(White) 1965 Ford Falcon
Mods: AF/X UDP, NGK-BKR5E spark plugs, Custom CAI. Best et...16.31 @ 85.50 mph with custom ram air intake.***That was with my old engine. I hydrolocked it, so now I have a completely stock engine***
I found, with adj. cam gears, if you adv. the exhaust a few degrees it seems to bump up the mpg. I had 'em +3 and averaged around 26ish, I turned them back to stock for inspections and since then I'm sittin around 23-24. Maybe other factors, but that was the only thing I've really screwed with other than changing oil.
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'95 GS w/ t3/t4b FMIC, diy piping & RFL BOV MS2-Extra Fuel&Spark 50 lb/hr Holley injectors w/ 1:1 RRFPR JE 8.8:1 dish w/ Hastings Rings Eagle Rods w/ ARP bolts ARP Head studs Mild port/polish head 3" custom DP/cat section, 3" PIT catback dual MBC - 12 psi / 20psi
#115377, "RE: Gas mileage...?" In response to Reply # 1
The single biggest improvement that you can make besides keeping the car tuned up properly and having your tires inflated is in your right foot.
I will admit that adjusting the exhaust cam 3* has my curiosity piqued tho
Erik P. Official 2GNT thread Hijacker Some say that he's driven over more Covenant than he's shot, and that his grenades aren't where you'd expect them to be... All we know is, He's not The Stig... But he is The Stig's Spartan cousin!
#115378, "RE: Gas mileage...?" In response to Reply # 2
Intake and exhaust will improve MPGs, but as Ronin said, careful right foot modulation (smooth acceleration, steady cruising at conservative speeds, etc.) will stand to increase any other steps you take.
You're lucky to have a car already pretty good at MPGs. I used to get more than 35mpg on the highway at 80mph with the AC with a fully built engine. I wouldn't go nuts modifying the car for MPGs, though. Maintain it and document your changes and gains.
#115379, "RE: Gas mileage...?" In response to Reply # 3
I noted after i put on my header and exhaust my gas milage didnt change all that much, i was getting around 23-25 mpg alot of city and freeway. After i got my throttle body bored out i noticed a much larger change between 26-30mpg this was also with alittle bit more freeway driving though. So in reality if i drive the same way but with intake,exhaust and bored TB i would expect mabye 2-3 mpg difference. Lead foot is a definate cause of bad gas milage good way to counter it, drive more on the freeway.