Post your MPG tips
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,106
Likes: 0
Post your MPG tips
Now that the gas prices have gone up I thought it would be a good idea to start a list of things that will help you get an few miles per gallon. I'll start:
1) Increase your timing until just before the car begins to ping.
1) Increase your timing until just before the car begins to ping.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 26,555
Likes: 257
From: Florida
2021 C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified
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St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Re: Post your MPG tips (gdh)
A couple of days ago, I paid $2.05 for 93 Octane for my 72. Currently, get about 13 miles per gallon, but will not let the prices limit my already low mileage.
My daily driver is a Toyota Camry, four Cylinder. Recently, I drove it to Tallahassee and back. A 360 mile trip on $15 dollars of gas. :)
My daily driver is a Toyota Camry, four Cylinder. Recently, I drove it to Tallahassee and back. A 360 mile trip on $15 dollars of gas. :)
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,103
Likes: 0
From: Tucson AZ
Re: Post your MPG tips (OHSIXX)
The "don't drive" suggestion above was also my idea.
My daily driver is a Dodge 4x4 getting 12-13 mpg. The vette's poor mileage is moot in my case.
Proper air in the tires, good tune up, slow acceleration form stop lights, keeping the rpms down, etc are a few worthwhile points.
My daily driver is a Dodge 4x4 getting 12-13 mpg. The vette's poor mileage is moot in my case.
Proper air in the tires, good tune up, slow acceleration form stop lights, keeping the rpms down, etc are a few worthwhile points.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 88,393
Likes: 2
From: eville in
Re: Post your MPG tips (Robert N)
make sure it's in good tune,, alignment is correct,, tire pressure's up,,, easy
on the gas on take-off,, if you know your going to stop coast,, don't sit in drive-threw's,,,, DRAFT on the high-way :thumbs: :thumbs: :thumbs:
on the gas on take-off,, if you know your going to stop coast,, don't sit in drive-threw's,,,, DRAFT on the high-way :thumbs: :thumbs: :thumbs:
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 29,745
Likes: 3
From: Exiled to Richmond, VA - Finally sold my house in Murfreesboro, TN ?? Corner of "Bumf*&k and 'You've got a purdy mouth'."
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St. Jude Donor '06-'10, '13
Re: Post your MPG tips (OHSIXX)
A couple of days ago, I paid $2.05 for 93 Octane for my 72. Currently, get about 13 miles per gallon, but will not let the prices limit my already low mileage.
My daily driver is a Toyota Camry, four Cylinder. Recently, I drove it to Tallahassee and back. A 360 mile trip on $15 dollars of gas. :)
My daily driver is a Toyota Camry, four Cylinder. Recently, I drove it to Tallahassee and back. A 360 mile trip on $15 dollars of gas. :)
Our cheap gas is now $2.17 - premium, if you call 91 octane premium, is pushing $2.40 now. And they say it will only get worse as summer gets closer.
My gas mileage tip -- 700R4 - OVERDRIVE !! During a recent cruise with my C3 and a bunch of C5's we all used about the same amount of gas for the trip. I got worse mileage than some, but better than others, so I was right in the middle of the group for gallons used. Not bad for an old C3.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,025
Likes: 1
From: Billings MT
Re: Post your MPG tips (MotorHead)
Its called a '96 Dodge Neon, makes a perfect commuter/parts runner. With a mix of city/highway (more city), I get an honest 33mpg. :)
Forget it with the Vette... :cheers:
Forget it with the Vette... :cheers:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 6,807
Likes: 0
From: Hoosier
Cruise-In III Veteran
Re: Post your MPG tips (battsup)
Think of it as a systems result. There's not any one thing by itself.
Friction, areodynamics, weight, and combustion effiency.
Here's a few.
Modern swirl chamber heads -aluminum
040 quench
aluminum intake
light valves. rockers, and springs
OD Tranny - manual is better than an automatic
electric radiator fans
aluminum water pump
correctly sized and jetted carburator
fiberglass springs instead of steel
belly pan
properly sized exhaust
light weight mag wheels
synthetic oils
:cheers: :auto:
Friction, areodynamics, weight, and combustion effiency.
Here's a few.
Modern swirl chamber heads -aluminum
040 quench
aluminum intake
light valves. rockers, and springs
OD Tranny - manual is better than an automatic
electric radiator fans
aluminum water pump
correctly sized and jetted carburator
fiberglass springs instead of steel
belly pan
properly sized exhaust
light weight mag wheels
synthetic oils
:cheers: :auto:
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
Likes: 12
From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Re: Post your MPG tips (battsup)
I like my overdrive transmission combined with 308's in the rear end to keep the rpm low. I have also set zero toe front and back. I also run the motor fairly lean 15-1 in cruising and watch how hard I pull away from stops.
I get about 15 mpg even with two 850 double pumpers.
I also run 43 degrees of total advance.
I get about 15 mpg even with two 850 double pumpers.
I also run 43 degrees of total advance.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 16,416
Likes: 1
From: NC,USA
Re: Post your MPG tips (Yeller81USNRet)
Get your suspension aligned...
Keep your brakes from dragging
Keep your left foot off your brake pedal
Keep your tires inflated
Keep your bearings packed (and in good condition)
Keep your engine tuned (cocoa brown spark plugs, easy starting... low compression runs on 87 with no knocks...)
Keep your rpms down
Keep your right foot off the carpet!
Others that I've read that help:
Above 40-50 keep the windows closed... t-tops included
Keep the A/C off
Remove powersteering
Get an electric fan
A low drag alternator (late model)
Cut down on rotating weight
Run a half a tank of gas to keep from dragging around more weight
Pull the spare tire
Go on a diet...
All in all, if your car is running well... it hits a max efficiency at certain speeds and not so great at others. Most street cars are best when optomized for 35mph and 55-60. If you go for 70 up top and you have a 4 speed you end up lugging the motor around town.
But... the best bet is to not drive as much, dont drink any sodas or adult beverages each day and your cost is about the same... if you drive alot! If not, even on my meager pay check its another 15 minutes of work difference in gas prices...
:D
Keep your brakes from dragging
Keep your left foot off your brake pedal
Keep your tires inflated
Keep your bearings packed (and in good condition)
Keep your engine tuned (cocoa brown spark plugs, easy starting... low compression runs on 87 with no knocks...)
Keep your rpms down
Keep your right foot off the carpet!
Others that I've read that help:
Above 40-50 keep the windows closed... t-tops included
Keep the A/C off
Remove powersteering
Get an electric fan
A low drag alternator (late model)
Cut down on rotating weight
Run a half a tank of gas to keep from dragging around more weight
Pull the spare tire
Go on a diet...
All in all, if your car is running well... it hits a max efficiency at certain speeds and not so great at others. Most street cars are best when optomized for 35mph and 55-60. If you go for 70 up top and you have a 4 speed you end up lugging the motor around town.
But... the best bet is to not drive as much, dont drink any sodas or adult beverages each day and your cost is about the same... if you drive alot! If not, even on my meager pay check its another 15 minutes of work difference in gas prices...
:D
Pro
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 625
Likes: 0
From: The Villages FL
Re: Post your MPG tips (battsup)
Short trips: electric golf cart with speed & mileage improvements.
Long trips: 3.8 Tech II Buick Regal; long trips keep it in the 25-32 mph range rather than the 18-22 around The Villages.
Still building the Corvette, but will do the same once it's in the garage. (They won't allow the Corvette to haul the golf clubs on the course)
Spike
Long trips: 3.8 Tech II Buick Regal; long trips keep it in the 25-32 mph range rather than the 18-22 around The Villages.
Still building the Corvette, but will do the same once it's in the garage. (They won't allow the Corvette to haul the golf clubs on the course)
Spike
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: Raleigh NC
Re: Post your MPG tips (battsup)
Was 37 mpg, now about 41 mpg with my new rice pipe. I SCOFF at the Hummer! Buwahahaha!!! Drive the Honda to work, drive the vette for fun!
[Modified by leeloo67, 2:56 PM 5/9/2004]
[Modified by leeloo67, 2:56 PM 5/9/2004]