[zonker]

Originally Posted by NFChaos2003 Questions/Comments on certain mods 1. Is the intake a CAI type setup or stock? 2. Most cars like either copper or Iridium Plugs, most don't like platinum but, then again I don't know 2.3s, feel free to correct me. 3. You should do a custom header-back exhaust with a Spun high flow cat and straight through muffler instead, it'll give you some more power and MPG. 4. I don't know what rims you are using but, you could get some knock-off lightweight rims for cheap with the low-resistance tires they make for hybrids now. 5. You could try and modify an aluminum driveshaft to work for your car to decrease rotational weight.

1. intake uses the stock airbox and it is a partial cold air, meaning it pulls in air from the stock cold air inlet by the radiator and air from under the hood thru the hot air tube entrance. purely cold air is not preferred when fuel economy is the goal.

2. without getting too lengthy here about spark plugs, let me just say that the copper refers to the center core of some plugs and is considered a good material for offering low resistance transfer of spark to the firing tip.

platinum or iridium refers to the material surface of the electrode. iridium electrodes is a harder material than platinum, which is a harder material than the standard steel electrode. the benefit of harder firing tip metals means you can reduce long term wear by making it harder for the material to erode. it also allows you the ability to shrink the diameter of the firing tip and electrode, which provides a more accurate, controlled spark.

the avoiding platinum plugs syndrome/myth comes from is that the harder plats operate at a higher firing tip temp. this is a plus for a economy motor, but can cause pre-ignition issues in a nitrous or boosted application, so thats where the plats get the bad rap. colder heat ranges can help offset this problem however.

3. working on a plan for the best exhaust - it's going to be tough to craft something that will actually pass Cali smog checks though since nothing aftermarket is CARB appproved for the 2.3 mustang. the trick will be keeping the back pressure down and the low rpm flow velocity high.

4. got the rim/tire thing in the works too... either beetle tires on alloy cobra spare rims or wheel adapters and hollow spoke miata alloys with hybrid LRR tires.

5. i like the driveshaft idea, but i don't think it will provide any gain worthy of the cost of making one so i'll pass on that one.

[96flmustang]

Zonker, too bad you didn't quite make it. But I'm sure you will make some adjustments and soon hit your goal. I imagine you would hit your goal if you weren't going up long hills. Now I am inspired to do the same to my 2.3 and see what I can do. I'm currently at 17 mpg average on a tank of gas. This has to change.

[Mikel89us]

Originally Posted by 96flmustang Zonker, too bad you didn't quite make it. But I'm sure you will make some adjustments and soon hit your goal. I imagine you would hit your goal if you weren't going up long hills. Now I am inspired to do the same to my 2.3 and see what I can do. I'm currently at 17 mpg average on a tank of gas. This has to change.

17 is the kind of milage you should get out of a turbo car xD i get about 24 and im usually not gentle on my car.

[jjpluml]

my lx is gettin about 26-28 right now and it is bone stock. stock exhaust, intake, everything

[zonker]

a stock 91-93 mustang has a epa rating of 19 city / 26 hwy (current epa calcs).

[jjpluml]

all i use it for is back and forth to work and the speed limit from my house to there is ab 50. does pretty well at that speed.

[zonker]

ideal fuel economy speed is 1600-1900 rpm in top gear, and 50 mph fits that bill.