91 Z71 Fuel Economy
#2
04-18-2012, 04:32 PM
All of the advertising about exhaust systems and cold air intakes and throttle body spacers is just HYPE. How much would it cost to do all of this? An exhaust cat back system is generally in the neighborhood of $400-500, a cold air intake is around $350-350 or more. How much increase in horsepower or gas mileage are you going to get??? ALMOST NONE.
At best, it would probably take 10-12 years for you to gain back the cost of the mods.
Read the ads carefully, especially the cold air intake kits. Their own power graphs show an increase of 5-10 horsepower, but that occurs at 4000 to 5000 rpms....who drives in that range? Noone. THey look cool and sound neat, but the gain is almost nothing.
Exhaust cat backs are the same...a Flowmaster of Magnaflow sound great...I have bought several. NEVER had a hp or mileage gain, but love the sound. Some years ago, I put a Flowmaster on a small block Chevy truck with 3" dual outlets...sounded cool, but lowered my gas mileage by about 20%, and I lost all of my low end torque due to reduced back pressure. After a month, I replaced the tailpipes with 2 1/4" pipes and got back the low end torque...mileage returned to normal but not better that original.
Throttle body spacers are really a waste...most of the time they whistle, and that is about it...make a great boat anchor.
So, if you want a cool sounding exhaust or a good looking "under the hood" CAI, go ahead, but just do not expect any increase in mileage or power...it is all HYPE
At best, it would probably take 10-12 years for you to gain back the cost of the mods.
Read the ads carefully, especially the cold air intake kits. Their own power graphs show an increase of 5-10 horsepower, but that occurs at 4000 to 5000 rpms....who drives in that range? Noone. THey look cool and sound neat, but the gain is almost nothing.
Exhaust cat backs are the same...a Flowmaster of Magnaflow sound great...I have bought several. NEVER had a hp or mileage gain, but love the sound. Some years ago, I put a Flowmaster on a small block Chevy truck with 3" dual outlets...sounded cool, but lowered my gas mileage by about 20%, and I lost all of my low end torque due to reduced back pressure. After a month, I replaced the tailpipes with 2 1/4" pipes and got back the low end torque...mileage returned to normal but not better that original.
Throttle body spacers are really a waste...most of the time they whistle, and that is about it...make a great boat anchor.
So, if you want a cool sounding exhaust or a good looking "under the hood" CAI, go ahead, but just do not expect any increase in mileage or power...it is all HYPE
#3
04-20-2012, 07:56 AM
Check the base timing.
Factory calls for 0* but try to advance it 2-4* BTDC. If you can get 4 without spark knock it will make a difference in how it runs. Some came from the factory upto 4* retarded and were really doggy.
The best way to get better mpg is to drive it like you want better mileage.
Factory calls for 0* but try to advance it 2-4* BTDC. If you can get 4 without spark knock it will make a difference in how it runs. Some came from the factory upto 4* retarded and were really doggy.
The best way to get better mpg is to drive it like you want better mileage.
#4
04-24-2012, 11:23 AM
At most you'll get is another 2-3mpg.
Best bet is to park it and buy yourself a 250-500cc motorcycle. It'll pay for itself in a years time at 60+mpg.
Best bet is to park it and buy yourself a 250-500cc motorcycle. It'll pay for itself in a years time at 60+mpg.
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