modding for increased fuel economy?

[Kookykrispy]

yessir, I'd like to know what I can do to increase my fuel economy.

I already have a K&N filter, UICP, Apex BOV, 3" tanabe catback, soon to be a 3" turboback when I get my hi-flow cat.

What else can be done to increase mpg?

 

[speedytalon]

turning the boost down
check to make sure your O2 sensor is working properly as well.

 

[2gGSX]

What's your MPG now?

 

[me612]

Did you say "modding" and "fuel economy" in the same sentance? Just make sure your car is in good working order. A new PCV and fuel filter won't hurt. New plugs and wires would be good as well. Maybe those ever so common grounding kits that are popping up all over now. Couldn't tell you if that would really help but once again it can't hurt. For the most part, HP is inversely proportional to gas milage!!!

 

[clownface]

lightweight drivetrain parts help fuel economy dont they?
ill say lightweight flywheel and driveshaft, driveshaft if you were AWD

checking for boost leaks and runing a bottle of lucas injector cleaner would prolly help also

 

[Kookykrispy]

I'm getting mids 20's mpg now... if I drive conservatively. My boost is not turned up, no boost controller, stock settings on the lil factory turbo. Would a better flowing intake help at all? Will going to full 3" turboback exhaust help any? Good idea on the pcv & filter, plugs and wires, o2 sensors, etc. I'm going to put all that on my list! (at least plug wires can be an upgrade)

I'm planning a big road trip in a couple weeks and any way to get better economy would be great!

How can I make sure my o2 sensors are working properly? Is there an easy way to check them, perhaps with a voltmeter?

Will instalation of a 3" downpipe & hi-flow cat mess with the downstream o2 readings? will it make my car throw a code? I don't want anymore check engine lights!!

 

[TurBoGs-T]

Leave it alone. Most mods you do will be pointless unless you turn the boost up and turning the boost up turns your MPG down.

 

[14.5 drift]

Actually all those mods make the engine run more efficiently, effectivly increasing mpg and effeciency altogether. That extra efficiency is also what gives you hp, well that paired with boost that is. I think this guys onto to some thing good. We should hash all this out and make a sticky on how to improve your milage since so many of us could use the extra dough. Hell if we were rich would we have all bought dsm's?

 

[TurBoGs-T]

Actually all those mods make the engine run more efficiently, effectivly increasing mpg and effeciency altogether.

Which mods are you talking about??

 

[clownface]

Leave it alone. Most mods you do will be pointless unless you turn the boost up and turning the boost up turns your MPG down.

Eh, i disagree......the more things he does to it, exhaust, intake and all that then the more air its gonna flow at any boost setting, stock or increased.
Even if you turn the boost up you dont have to lay into the boost all the time and you can still get good mpg.

 

[TurBoGs-T]

Eh, i disagree......the more things he does to it, exhaust, intake and all that then the more air its gonna flow at any boost setting, stock or increased.
Even if you turn the boost up you dont have to lay into the boost all the time and you can still get good mpg.

True..I guess i was thinking about a person like myself. I wouldn't be able to get the mods and not use them. More power to anyone who has enought inner strength to hold back from using them cause i know i can't . (i still don't think the added MPG would be worth the cost of the mods.)

Edit:
You say it will "flow more air" so that means more fuel right???

 

[Aikouka]

lightweight drivetrain parts help fuel economy dont they?
ill say lightweight flywheel and driveshaft, driveshaft if you were AWD

I always thought that would help, but I spoke with people who are have decent car knowledge and they said you wouldn't notice it. It makes sense physically that it would take less overall time/gas to get the engine rotating at the same rate in the same gear with the same use of the accelerator.

 

[2gGSX]

Even if you don't notice the effects of those driveline parts, they WILL make a difference. It's a matter of physics

And if you're getting mid 20's your car's running fine. I'm getting 24-25 MPG on an unmolested GSX. What is actually your MPG? It's something I've been wondering since I'm about to do basically the same mods you have.

 

[14.5 drift]

Edit:
You say it will "flow more air" so that means more fuel right???

How about, better efficiency of air. Although it can flow more potentially if you ask it too, it also flows air easier, putting it to better use.

 

[Damn 2nd Gear]

buy a honda

 

[clownface]

buy a honda

thats what i did, still got the GSX and i have a $1000 accord that gets 35 mpg

 

[SpeedFreak03]

yessir, I'd like to know what I can do to increase my fuel economy.

I already have a K&N filter, UICP, Apex BOV, 3" tanabe catback, soon to be a 3" turboback when I get my hi-flow cat.

What else can be done to increase mpg?

First, do a FULL tune-up. Next, make sure your O2 sensor is in good working order (honestly, not sure how you would do this, but if your car is over 10 years old and your not sure if it's ever been replaced, then it might be money well spent to replace it). You are recirculating that BOV, right? If not, definetly recirculate it, that will make your car run not as rich (I would just say "make your car run leaner" but that sounds bad even though it's true). Then, maybe look into an ignition box such as the Crane Cams HI-6 (shown here: http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=CRN-6000-6440&N=120 302266). I'm not sure how popular they are with DSMs, but I know with RX7s and hondas they are quite popular. They are known to improve gas mileage (anywhere from 2-5MPG, usually 30 miles a tank), smoother idle (won't correct idle surge though), and maybe 1-2HP if you're lucky. I'm not even sure if these would work with DSMs, so research before you buy :laugh:!

If, after doing all the mechanical work, you STILL aren't satisfied with your gas mileage, then it's time to look at your driving style. For example, driving on the highway at a constant speed. There is NO reason to be heavy boosting! You should be in 5th gear at decently low RPMs, stay out of boost. Avoid start and stop traffic as much as possible - this kills gas mileage. Just stuff like that, it's all common sense. I hope this helps - I'm concerned with gas mileage too so I've put some thought into it (don't own a DSM yet but I will very, very shortly ). Good luck!

 

[Defiant]

Swap in a 1.8.

Better, swap the car you don't want with an N/T owner for the car he doesn't want. Then everybody'll be happy.

 

[wret]

Umm... long trip? How long are we talkin'? Four extra mpg over a 1000 mile trip will probably save you about $10. Skip lunch and you'll make that up.

Oh and make sure your tires are properly inflated. Have a nice trip.

 

[14.5 drift]

Swap in a 1.8.

Better, swap the car you don't want with an N/T owner for the car he doesn't want. Then everybody'll be happy.

What are you talking about? Do you race your car every where you go or some thing, is that why you dont care about milage? Well i grew out of that stage around 18 and drive like a civil citizen 99 percent of the time (accept after 1 am) so i wouldn't mind having some decent fuel milage. Seems like ive seen you all too much chiming in to say some thing negative about how you dont like a topic, opinion, or thread. What gives defiant? C an't we all just get along?

 

[97GS-TSpyder]

13 mpg having pun
15 driving nice

 

[me612]

That is another good point. Even if some mod somehow manages to make your car more fuel efficient, modding is only going to inspire more invigorating driving habits. You're gunna more then likely give her a lil more gas when merging on the freeways because you wanna feel that new HP you just gained. Plus you might rev it a couple more times then normal at a stop light so you can hear that new exhaust. All that will deminish any sort of gains you somehow got. Anywho, I'm with Defiant on this one. This board is about increasing performance, which for the most part, is going to lower you mpg. Live with it. If you can't, then too bad.

 

[14.5 drift]

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[14.5 drift]

Nobody did any thing wrong for starting or participating in this thread. Go away if you dont like it.

 

[me612]

Oh boy, I hit a nerve. Relax slim. Modding and fuel efficiency for the most part goes together like peanut butter and mayo. You can argue all day that maybe an intake and exhaust help the air flow through a little bit, but you honestly thing you'll see even a 3mpg increase with any of that? It'll probably barely be noticable even if it does. I haven't seen proof, just skepticism that exhaust and what not will increase your mpg. But then think about it this way. Increasing your boost 1psi is going to lessen gas milage. Maybe not noticably, but with more boost comes more fuel. If you start modding, one of the most common things to do is to up the boost. That right there will negetively affect your gas milage. I'm done though. Continue your battle that you are going to drastically increase your gas milage with an intake and exhaust. Way to read up on the rules too btw, but if you're gunna throw em out there, then heck, I'll throw one out there too, fair?

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