Why Wait for Diesel? My Quest for 40 MPG

[CaptEditor]

Originally posted by Brucey

In short: I got better MPG with a cold air intake.

Always good to try it out yourself!

Have you looked at any aftermarket mirrors that are more aerodynamic and sit closer to the body of the car? (for that drivers side mirror)


-Kevin

[Brucey]

I plan to remove the drivers side mirror entirely, and just have the internal mirrors. I don't use either of the external mirrors anymore, they're folded up all the time.



Can't tell in this pic, but this actually lets you see in the blind spot just fine from the drivers seat. There isn't really a blind spot with my oversized blindspot mirror though.

[neoday]

so my question is- is this legal?

next thing would be to get something like airtabs for the back.

how did you make your front bumper?

[Brucey]

I stole some old campaign signs from the side of the road, then I dug out some wood screws from the bolt bucket, used some high quality duct tape to make it one long piece, then I wood screwed it directly to the bumper via a rusty screwdriver, used a can of 89 cent black spray paint that was lieing around to give it some color, and done.

I didnt have a lower bumper, havent for years. You stop caring about it when someone hits you in the parking lot and drives off.

I don't know if its legal or not, I didn't ask. I guess I'll find out if a cop stops me for not-speeding.


I'm not convinced on airtabs either, btw. I guess I could test it myself, but I dont want to spend the money to test it. I'm yet to spend any real money fiddling with the car. And I've got a bearing thats shot, and that takes priority as its ruining what little driving I get to do in it.

[Brucey]

I finally have something to brag about by driving a fat gen outback!

Lowest drag coeffecient baby

Listed at 0.32 for the wagon models. The first gens are listed at 0.38 and the thirds are listed at 0.34.


It's a good start.

I wonder if the mirrors and roof rack is in those test?

[CaptEditor]

Originally posted by Brucey

I'm not convinced on airtabs either, btw.

I agree that the air tabs don't give much proven aerodynamic improvements. They do, however, cut down on turbulance on the highway when passing large trucks are gusts of wind. (generally a hatchback/wagon issue) This was more of a problem in my 85 Golf, though, since it weighed so little compared to the Subie wagon...


-Kevin

[Crunch]

Better stop Brucey!

Since us Americans are starting to use less gas. Our representatives slush fund, (The highway fund)(AKA: Pork Barrel) is not taking in the money it used too.

You are putting at jeopardy the national research lab for snail migration. Which is some important senators pet project.

Therefore the Congress has introduced a bill to increase Federal gas tax by $0.10 cents a gallon.

It will take the current Federal gas tax to:

Was 18.5c, if passed 28.5c for Gasoline

Was 23c, if passed 33c for Diesel

They will be voting on this in the next couple of days.

And its ALL YOUR FAULT!!!!!!!!



Edit: To remove partisanship, by identifying the party that introduced the bill.

I was just pointing out the irony, not trying to start political arguments.

[Brucey]

Don't start partisan arguments in my thread, please.

Theres a whole other forum here for that, but this one here is simply about saving some fuel.

[CaptEditor]

Save the snails!

[Brucey]

http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...html#post47767

Tested the difference with a mirror delete.

37.53 With
38.75 Without

Thats at 45 mph, where wind resistance is just starting to factor in.

39 mpg (rounded) is dangerously close to my goal. Surely its not going to be this easy?