1st Generation Specific (1979-1985) 1979-1985 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections

Stupid Newbie MPG question

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Old Jul 23, 2006 | 03:00 PM
  #1  
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Stupid Newbie MPG question

I'm getting 14 MPG in mostly highway commuting. I have a 1983 GS with a RB header-back exhaust, accel plug wires, and a K&N drop-in. The car has 113K miles on it, idles correctly, and runs reliably. Is this gas mileage normal?
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Old Jul 23, 2006 | 03:05 PM
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In town, highway, no.
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Old Jul 23, 2006 | 03:28 PM
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Yeah you should be anywhere from 20-25mpg on the highway. Make sure your carb is working properly. Mine wasn't really so I had one rebuilt and it instantly gave me a hell of a difference
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Old Jul 24, 2006 | 08:36 AM
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Check for vacuum leaks and be sure everything is adjusted right, you should be getting better than 20 mpg on the highway. Nice looking car!

Ray
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Old Jul 24, 2006 | 09:10 AM
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i wish i got that good of MPG.. i burned a 1/4 tank sitting in the drive way for 20 min lol damn holleys woot..

if you have an extra $300 laying around get a wide band the take all the guess work out of it.. and pullin plugs sucks was the best 300 i spent

cheers PaTricK
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Old Jul 24, 2006 | 11:24 AM
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From: un. k
Yeah, that is not good at all, Jack. Pete gets 25mpg on average, and hell we did an 840 mile road trip this weekend in his RX-7.
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Old Jul 24, 2006 | 11:31 AM
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....with 4.78 gears!
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Old Jul 24, 2006 | 11:31 AM
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I was getting 25 miles per gallon with mostly city driving back before I went Holley Carb. That isn't good at all. Get a carb rebuild kit or new carb. At the bare minimum check for vacuum leaks and those sorts of things. You should be getting better than that.
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Old Jul 24, 2006 | 12:24 PM
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One thing to check, that is often overlooked, is the front brake calipers. If they are not fully releasing, you will get crappy fuel mileage, and shorter pad life.
If the car shown in your sig is the car in question, you are either very hard on the brakes, or the fronts are dragging. The front wheels having that much brake dust is usually a dead give away....................
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Old Jul 24, 2006 | 04:11 PM
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16 mpg is a normal low for hard, hard city driving...the carb is not tuned correctly, though it seems to be....
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Old Jul 24, 2006 | 04:38 PM
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Let's see, my in town mileage, cold weather, long warmups and hard driving, I have gotten less than 9 mpg. Suppose the bridgeport and Mikunki have anything to do with it? hmmmm.

Driving like a sane, normal, person, I usually get 14 in town and 24 on the highway.
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Old Jul 24, 2006 | 07:04 PM
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Good numbers Troch, I've got to give the in town part a try.

Ray
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Old Jul 24, 2006 | 11:25 PM
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From: Kansas City, MO
23/32 anyone?
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Old Jul 24, 2006 | 11:43 PM
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From: Reno
I regularly get 27ish, with a good mix of highway, city.
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Old Jul 24, 2006 | 11:55 PM
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From: St Joe MO
Originally Posted by kgray
23/32 anyone?
As high as gas has gotten, I should have charged you more for your carb rebuild. Look how much I've saved you. lol
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Old Jul 26, 2006 | 09:59 AM
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From: Collinwood, Cleveland, OH
Originally Posted by Tranquil
Yeah, that is not good at all, Jack. Pete gets 25mpg on average, and hell we did an 840 mile road trip this weekend in his RX-7.
You know how to work on these. I don't. Wanna have a look at the thing and see what's not right?

And Mentor Alex, I got a ticket for my headlight being out. I'm gonna send Parma Alex after you with a tub of vaseline if you don't give me a time to come get my bezels.
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Old Jul 26, 2006 | 10:06 AM
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From: Anchor Bay, CA
do you need the headlight too?

umm can you do it today?
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Old Jul 26, 2006 | 10:11 AM
  #18  
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when my dad had his running he did something to it and was getting 25/30 but it went back to 19/21 when he brought it in for a tune up. one of the techs messed with the carb and he lost his great mpg
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Old Jul 26, 2006 | 07:43 PM
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Yep it's all about tune up and fixing all the vacuum leaks and everything else. I got a good one now on my Nikki (thanks neighbor Bobby) and I've hit 391 miles on a tank twice in the last month or two (I drive it about 550 miles a week, so good data here). Anybody every get 400 miles out of a tank?

Ray
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Old Jul 26, 2006 | 08:13 PM
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I've been getting 360 miles out of a tank on My Se with City and highway combined.

To the thread starter, make sure your secondaries are hooked up. If it seems you have low power and are getting crappy mileage the secondary spring that activates the secondaries is infamous for popping off.
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Old Jul 26, 2006 | 08:38 PM
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From: un. k
Originally Posted by DSMPOWERED
You know how to work on these. I don't. Wanna have a look at the thing and see what's not right?

And Mentor Alex, I got a ticket for my headlight being out. I'm gonna send Parma Alex after you with a tub of vaseline if you don't give me a time to come get my bezels.
hahahahaha, that was actually an original gay joke, unlike wonners.

yeah, we'll make burgers at my place sometime. Just give me a call.
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Old Jul 26, 2006 | 10:55 PM
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GOT WANKEL?
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From: Kansas City, MO
Originally Posted by trochoid
As high as gas has gotten, I should have charged you more for your carb rebuild. Look how much I've saved you. lol
no ****! and the carb is tuned for snow!
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