How Fuel efficient is your car?

[Finnegan]

Maybe its about American Soldiers having their fucking heads cut off for a lying president so his friends can get contracts for their oil companies and make a billion dollar profit in a month.

Then stop voting GOP. Tell your friends..

[Bay Bridge Sue]

Ummm... what makes you think it's just the GOP? Greed and corruption has no political monopoly, regardless of the propogandists line. Then again... I *try* not to buy into propoganda too much. -grins-

Once you use up the petroleum, the Jolly Green Giant will take on greater proportions of power in the world. Imagine Monsanto as the new world power of energy and right now they are developing super genetic altered plants for fuel.

Most people don't know, but plastic is also made from plants too. Remember those old telephones- soy beans boy and girls.

HoHoHo Green Giant!

Most people don't know that without the oil the dirt is as sterile as the moon. How do you get petro based fertilizer with out petro? Those "super genetic altered plants" need nutrition to live on - nutrition that is sucked out of the soil.

Run out of oil, the corn won't magically appear. Ask the tobacco farmers what happens when they burned out (overworked) a field... or try planting seeds in sand, see how well they grow.

You need oil to fertilize the dirt to grow the plants. When we run out of oil, gasoline will be the least of the problem.

bb

[BAS]

I've been reading Jared Diamond's "Collapse", and am wondering where we are in relation to the point of no return.

The book makes a good argument for avoiding living in one of the marginal environments... one in which a (relatively) high level of technology is needed in order to survive. The fewer resources which need importing, the better. The places in which agriculture can be practiced without importing water, fertilizer, etc. will tend to keep the food (and water) they need to feed themselves, and if there isn't enough to export to other locations..., well, tough! Of course, even those locations can resort to cannibalism-- as happened on Easter Island and other locals in the South Pacific.

Rather scary book. It starts off discussing Montana.



B.

[Green Wood]

You need oil to fertilize the dirt to grow the plants. When we run out of oil, gasoline will be the least of the problem.

bb

No, all you need is phosphatic soils and that basically most of the southwest including the playa.

I seen hugh mines or strip mines in Baja just north of La Paz. Its all shipped to markets on the mainland and US. There are some large mines along the east side of the Rafael Swell in Utah and around Moab. As well as in Montana.

[unjonharley]

Green Wood,, You missed the whole point of BBS's rant..


"Green Wood"?.. O'Boy you need to get "that"! taken care of..

[spirited]

[quote="spirited"]Mr Fixit is one of my heroes!!! He's put a lot out there and is responsible for a lot more. Including the one(s) our camp is building this year.
Bay bridge sue quote


bb[/quote]

Last burn we haled 7 power chars & 2 scooters too hotwheelz camp.
Gave 2 too Mr fixits camp. He is a god with a silver tung .[/quote]

[Green Wood]

Green Wood,, You missed the whole point of BBS's rant..


"Green Wood"?.. O'Boy you need to get "that"! taken care of..

What you need to get taken care of is your eyes dude.

You don't need petro based fertilizers. Petro based fertilizers are a bi-product of oil!

Phosphatic strata is all you need unless BBS is typing with invisible type you explain it better!

You don't know what phosphatic soil are do you Union do you?

[unjonharley]

Green Wood,, You missed the whole point of BBS's rant..


"Green Wood"?.. O'Boy you need to get "that"! taken care of..

What you need to get taken care of is your eyes dude.

You don't need petro based fertilizers. Petro based fertilizers are a bi-product of oil!

Phosphatic strata is all you need unless BBS is typing with invisible type you explain it better!

You don't know what phosphatic soil are do you Union do you?

\/
My friend, You will live and learn a long time to have just the knowledge I have forgotten..

[CapSmashy]

Jaguar E-type roadster, series I, 4.2 liter. Commonly (but incorrectly)known as an XKE. One of two cars displayed as automotive art in the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art.

(Sigh)

Shnikeys!

I have a '68 roadster in the garage!

Needs massive restoration work, but we are the second owners.

Given the amount of work that needs to be done, we are going for a stock looking wrapper covering a modern road racer with a lot of parts coming from http://www.classicjaguar.com/index.htm these guys.

[CapSmashy]

As to the question at hand, depends on what I am driving.

TDI Beetle, 45 to 48 mpg.
Honda Accord, 30 to 32 mpg
Dodge Ram, 14 to 16 mpg

The much more important factor on the Dodge is that it is LEV certified. So while the gas millage isn't so hot, pollution levels are very low.

[Apollonaris Zeus]

Green Wood,, You missed the whole point of BBS's rant..


"Green Wood"?.. O'Boy you need to get "that"! taken care of..

What you need to get taken care of is your eyes dude.

You don't need petro based fertilizers. Petro based fertilizers are a bi-product of oil!

Phosphatic strata is all you need unless BBS is typing with invisible type you explain it better!

You don't know what phosphatic soil are do you Union do you?

\/
My friend, You will live and learn a long time to have just the knowledge I have forgotten..

Everything was once known only to be lost and rediscovered again and again and again and again.....




Actually, petro based fertilizers are a waste product. If it can't be made into fuel then its a waste product like PCB. You pay a bunch of scientists to find a product from their shit.

I'm surprised they don't label it as a "Recycled Product" like wood waste in paper products.

AIIZ

PS- toyota is having a big sales promotion on fuel economy cars at a time when economy cars are selling big. Guess their trying to more nails into the coffen of GM and the Big Two.

[unjonharley]

[quote="Apollonaris
AIIZ
"
PS- toyota is having a big sales promotion on fuel economy cars at a time when economy cars are selling big. Guess their trying to more nails into the coffen of GM and the Big Two. "

\/
The big three (soon to be two), Run and hid under Bush's skirt..Just after he "took" office he pulled most clean air demands from the auto industry..They went hell bent for the big stuff..While Japan read the hand writng on the wall.. Makes me feel real bad<;(

[gyre]

Smashy,
Would you keep me updated?
I very nearly bought a Spitfire converted to a 5 litre drivetrain in your area.
Let me know if I can help.
I know where to find some very hard to find bits in the custom area.
There is even a jag based rear end that will take real power now.
I've been wanting that myself.
Available fully polished in stainless too.
I love the Es.

[Green Wood]

Car Talk on Hi-bread vehicles- and you thought they were talking about high fiber or protein breads

http://www.cartalk.com/content/features ... about.html

[Thecatman]

Which one? I have a 1995 Ford 1/2 ton (F150) 4x4 with a 300ci (4.9 liter), 5 speed transmission, regular cab and 8 foot bed that I've had since February 1995. Just turned 100,000 miles. The best I got out of it was on a road trip in June of 97. It had about 15,000 miles on it. We were west bound on I 70 between Wheeling, WV and Columbus, Ohio. I got 22.6 on that stretch. Have'nt topped that since. Right now I get about 16. Since I commute 47 miles one way to work from Dayton, NV to Reno, I have a 2003 VW Jetta TDI with an automatic that has 97,700 miles on it. I average 47mpg but got 51.8 about 2 months ago. Thats the best so far. I can't wait to see the Green Pavilion this year. I want to run biodiesel in it, at least in the summer but I want more input. I'll be taking the truck to the burn this year. In fact I'll be taking the truck to the playa Memorial Day weekend to go to a ghost town I have'nt been to in a few years that's about 25 miles past the playa entrance.

[gyre]

There should be a lot that can be done with the truck, aero wise.
If the compression is good you should be able to do a lot with it.
Check the fuel injection sensor.
At least clean it.
It's old enough to benefit from a computer upgrade, if you're going to keep it.

[Thecatman]

Did put a K&N air filter kit in it in 1998. Clean it yearly but that does'nt do much. I should bring it in to be checked. I replaced all 6 shocks for the second time (PROCOMP 9000's) and while I was under the front axle I noticed the oil pan gasket is leaking. Guess I'll include a drip pan in my things to take this year.

[gyre]

Just be careful about the oil on the k and n so it doesn't foul the fi sensor.
When the sensor gets dirty or worn out, the system defaults and mileage drops.

[Thecatman]

I was'nt aware of potential problems that the oil on the K&N filter could cause. I kind of wish I did'nt get it because of the hassle of cleaning and reoiling it at least once a year. When I installed it, one of the parts did'nt match up according to the directions, so I had to scrounge up a longer bolt and use about 8 washers for spacers. I'm not degrading K&N but I don't think it will live up to their million mile promise. Thanks for the tech tip on the fi sensor. I will have that checked

[gyre]

A filter only has an effect when it is too restrictive.
An over size filter will last longer before clogging and filter to a finer degree than an identical smaller one.
K&n is a good quality filter.
They have a spray bottle to make it easier to keep the oil even.
You can always just replace the filter element.
I have a big k&n on my big engine.
If you run one of the exposed kits, it can use a wire protection.
If you run off road, a snorkel kit doesn't hurt.

Someone recently came out with a chemical specially made for mass air sensors to not damage them.
I can't remember who.
There are a number of kits for cleaning the fuel injection setup.
Ford sensors are quite cheap.
I use a custom model and it is still cheap.
RC engineering blueprints and can rebuild injectors.
They are so cheap on the ford, I plan on getting a new set and letting them tune them for me.
They have a good track record.

Also ford systems of that era have no fuel pressure sensor, so they assume your pressure is ideal.
If it is not, it throws off everything else.

A manual control for ignition advance is a huge benefit if you can handle it.
An advanced computer can do the same thing and more.

By the way, the rods on your engine are so strong, they were used on my V8, just x-rayed and matched.
They are very rugged.

[Thecatman]

What about something like a Gibson or Borla cat back exhaust system? It dogs out when I approach a hill. Between Dayton and Carson City there's a hill about 2 miles long with aprx 500 foot gain in elevation, I'll approach it at 65mph and when I get 2/3 of the way up I've down shifted to 4th and down to double nickles, sometimes slowwer if the wind is from the west.

[Thecatman]

I don't do hard core wheeling or deep water crossings but snorkles are way cool. The filter I have is exposed, oval shaped and tapered with three hoses connecting to the larger end of the taper. Two larger ones go to the intake manifold and the smaller one goes to I belive the pcv valve. The 300ci or 4.9 liter is a good engine but Ford quit making it I think in 1997 or 98. Parts should be available for several years. Like I posted earlier, I just replaced the shocks. I replaced the originals at 35,000 with Rancho 5000s but last week, where I got the Procomps at, I was told Ranchos are no longer available for the quad shock set up on the front, which I have.

[gyre]

I think you just have a lot of truck for the engine size and terrain.
An exhaust system only will make a difference to the extent that it is restricted now.
Borla makes a good product but you have to get their multi-tube muffler to get any real advantage over other brands.
Look for crimps and poor bends in your system.
Those are real restrictions.
Dynomax has some straight through mufflers in a race line and even a large rv style muffler which might be a good choice.
Putting a header on would make a real difference, but don't expect too much.
If you are going to keep it long enough or upgrade the engine for more power, then it will pay off in a serious way.
It isn't unwise to upgrade the exhaust, just don't expect results you may not get.
It is possible to reduce harshness and noise and improve the running though.

If you change the flow of the engine, the exhaust could pay off or be essential.
Borla's big deal is being all stainless.
One of their multi-tube mufflers is about $300.
Probably last forever though.

If everything runs well you could remove the cat and remove some restriction.
A cat is primarily to clean the exhaust when something is out of whack.
A car that is in good shape is very clean to start with.
The cat has to be close to the engine to stay warm enough, the worst location for flow.
If it is too small, you can go larger, but they then take longer to warm up.
I am running two stock taurus cats on my V8.
They definitely cause some restriction at that size, still over 400 hp meeting colorado/cali regs.

I do think it would be worth camming the engine for more power before you end up going for a bigger engine.
A turbo or supercharger is another option.
A cam change with some exhaust tuning might be a good approach.
Improving head flow is a normal approach, but much easier on a V8 now.
You could do much more but it would mean an engine rebuild.

Is your air filter mounted in the engine bay?
If you use a good cold air intake, this will help under hard throttle conditions.

I think your truck is doing what it can for it's size and conditions, mostly.

[Rusted Iron]

Just added a decade old Ford Festiva to the fleet. It's getting a bit over 40 MPG on the highway and lots in town.

[gyre]

I always heard great things about the ford fiesta.
I wonder if they're related.

[Rusted Iron]

The Fiesta is even smaller than the Festiva. I'm not sure, but they may have only sold them in Europe.

[gyre]

The fiesta I'm thinking of was sold here.
Very similar to the rabbit.
Little smaller.
Owners always liked them.

[Captain Goddammit]

I have a 1-ton 4x4 crew-cab dually GMC with a 454. Mpg is squarely in the "horrible" category.
But it's an '86, long since paid for. I drive a Mazda Miata 98% of the time (33MPG) and since I only drive the truck when I actually need it I still feel it's a better deal than spending $50,000 for a new one (or $25,000 for a used one) with a turbodiesel that gets more mileage.

The Playa Cruiser (weighing in at 5000 pounds) is suprisingly easy on gas. It has an Olds Quad 4 in it, with electronic fuel injection. It goes through about 20 gallons of gas for the whole event, and it gets driven almost continuously! And by the way, it has full emissions equipment, and even a catalytic converter under the swim-step!

I have a real boat (the kind that goes in water), and fuel consumption is... well... a bad subject... a really bad subject... but it only gets run about 10 or 20 hours a year.

[unjonharley]

Cap, Now were talking.. My van is a 90 with a new running gear three years ago.. I keep it tuned and 55mph for 22mpg.. But 90% of the time I run total electric.. right now 2-3¢ a day.. This way I can afford gas without crying all the way to the pumps

[can't sit still]

" The fewer resources which need importing, the better. The places in which agriculture can be practiced without importing water, fertilizer, etc. will tend to keep the food (and water) they need to feed themselves, and if there isn't enough to export to other locations..., well, tough!"

The Cubans had to learn to raise food without petro after the Russians pulled out.
http://www.blythe.org/ai/cubanjobs.htm