better gas mileage 93 talon tsi fwd

[SVT2DSM]

Before I ask the question I will say I'm building 92 talon tsi awd for strictly ass kicking. My DD is a 94 cobra. My gas mileage is already bad in those cars but worth it and I don't mind wasting money on gas in those cars. I figured id state that before people start asking "why would you wanna do that?"

But the question is on my 93 talon tsi fwd. I was gonna use it for saving gas (relatively speaking). I drive about 400 miles a week. On a slow week! My cobra and 92awdtsi ain't cutting it. Back to the 93 fwd. The only mods are: 3inch exhaust, evo 3 exhaust manifold, cold air intake, turbo timer, and a rebuilt 14b

Would any of those mods hurt my gas mileage?
would disconnecting the wastegate arm on the turbo hurt anything?(that would stop it from actually boosting? Correct?)
Would smaller injectors hurt the ecu or anything else?

I don't care about having any power in this car at all. So any other ideals are welcome.

 

[Dsmkauai]

Just stay out of boost and you will save more gas You can get the car tuned for optimal Mpg's.

 

[clipto]

No those mods won't really effect anything. Best think to keep good gas mileage is a good tune and do your regular tune ups, and of course keep your foot off the gas. Actually the only thing that would waste gas is using that turbo timer. Your turbo is water cooled that good enough for daily driving use. The turbo timer will more less waste 30 sec more of gas running to cool a turbo oil I doubt is even going to be absurdly hot.

 

[HIGHPSI4]

Yea, a lot of you fuel saving will come from staying out of the gas. No rewired fuel pump, etc. If you really don't want any power you can switch in a 13g, 390cc injectors and an auto ecu from an auto car.

 

[bmxmk18]

You could also lighten the car up to get a little bit better MPG's, you can go as far as gutting it but personally im not a fan if its a daily. I would take out anything un-needed like spare parts or tools if thats the case, although i dont think il ever take the 400lbs of tools out of my trunk haha.

 

[JustinP10]

I actually got better mpg after the large injectors and a tune. Though my driving habits make a bigger difference than anything else. If I'm in boost a lot, mileage drops WAY down. With the stock parts, romping it didn't make as much of a difference, now with almost double the hp, the gas mileage is that much lower at WOT.

 

[DSM1G90]

Drive sane and shift below 3Krpms and fill the tires up to 35psi cold .. if you got stock 55's on 16inch rims. ... and stay out of boost as much as possible.

I take it easy with my Laser and can easily do 22 mpg in town driving and close to 30 on the freeway doing 80.

I also have a 1.8L Eclipse Automatic which gives me 25 in town and 32 on the freeway - still with 35psi on stock tires to reduce the rolling resistance.

 

[JustinP10]

I have an easier time staying out of boost if i rev it out higher, but don't get into the gas. If i stay too low in the rpms it loads up and builds boost.

 

[brownie956]

Honestly if you're talking about modifying it (downgrading injectors) for the sake of gas mileage, and with the amount of mileage you put on each week, I think you'd be better off selling/trading it and getting into a Civic HX, Integra GS, or something along those lines.

You could always pull the compressor wheel off your turbo too, let us know how that goes

 

[JustinP10]

Loosen the throttle cable so WOT at the gas pedal is only part throttle at the throttle body. Yeah it'll mess up other stuff, but it'll keep you out of boost.

 

[1990AWD]

All you need to know is right in the tech archives.

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/articles-miscellaneous/254223-how-save-gas.html

 

[HIGHPSI4]

^I have read that before. I do not fully agree with #2. To save fuel you want to keep the engine higher in the power band. Shifting at 1500 to 2000 rpm is low and takes more fuel to move the car then if the engine is turning at 3000 to 4000 rpm. With the ecu controlling fuel based on throttle position and air flow, you need less throttle if you shift in the power band and let the rpms slowly increase with out increasing throttle. I like to shift when the next gear will start at 3000 rpm or a little above. In most cases you can skip 4th altogether and can cruise in 5th. Also consider that 5th gear is still an overdrive gear really desinged to be used when the engine is operating in the power band. Down shift to 4th when the eninge below the power band and tying to pull, for me that is below 55- 60 MPH.

 

[1990AWD]

He also had a very lightened car, lightweight flywheel, etc, so for him to be shifting that low isn't gonna be lugging the car. It's also about how much throttle you're giving it at that rpm. In any case, 53 mpg from a DSM, he must be doing a few things right.

Also, shifting above the peak torque is gonna burn through more fuel, you should be shifting at 3000 or less.

 

[SVT2DSM]

I just read that "how to save gas" article. That's ####in tedious. And I'm not pinching pennies here. I'm looking for about 27+ on highway 53 mpgs is nice but its not worth all that IMO. If imma do all that stuff in that article. I'll just drop a geo metro engine in my talon haha

 

[DSM1G90]

You could wire open the wastegate, for this disables the turbo (in which this trick is also great for driving a turbo vehicle with a blown turbo). Thing is, easy on the throttle afterwards since your exhaust is restricted...but, this will keep you honest in being a gas miser.

 

[1990AWD]

Actually you can be much harder on the throttle if you wire your wastegate open as there will be less restriction in the exhaust and you won't build much, if any, boost.

 

[gusu]

Most aftermarket injectors have a much more efficient spray pattern than the 1g injectors which with a tune can give much better gas mileage. But of course you have to factor in the cost of those mods. If you could get them used it might be a worth while option.