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Gas Guzzler?

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Old 07-02-04, 10:31 AM
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Gas Guzzler?

Hiya! I have a 88' GTU Rx-7, found in a junkyard which I revived not too long ago. We've been rebuilding the engine piece by piece and have it running quite well. My question is, does anyone know why it consumes the amount of gas that a ford mustang would? Belts are all tightened,fuel pump is new, but had a friend do some redneck wiring because it wasnt getting any power. Is there a solution to this? Gas is way to expensive!


M-
Old 07-02-04, 10:34 AM
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because its a rotary. (and no, im not joking)

If you want mpg, get a honda.

Tha said, you should be getting at least 20 ont he highway, and anywhere from 12-20 in town. Some guys get all the way up to low 30s on rare occasions. I was running 9 a couple years ago because I had a very out of tune engine and an automatic.
Now that I have a 5spd, and a... tuneup, I see about 22 on the highway, and around 16 in town.

Last edited by Kenteth; 07-02-04 at 10:40 AM.
Old 07-02-04, 10:38 AM
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Yes. I'd be blown away if I got better than 16MPG. With my heavy foot and a turbo, I'm lucky to see over 14MPG.
Old 07-02-04, 10:48 AM
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i put like 10 bucks of gas in mine atleast once a day. but i drive very aggressive
Old 07-02-04, 10:51 AM
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I'm averageing about 22Mpg right now, mixed highway and stop-n-go driving with my 5/6th ports wired closed. that drops to around 18/19 with them open. I'm planning on getting a SAFC to lean out my obviously rich N/A... That should help, along with getting off my lazy *** to rig up a solenoid switch for the 5/6th ports
Old 07-02-04, 11:54 AM
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My 88 n/a gives me 24-25mpg, all highway. I used to get about 20 mpg for a long time and then it improved after changing spark plugs.
Old 07-02-04, 12:18 PM
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i get 18 stop and go. iv got an NA 5speed that helps
Old 07-02-04, 12:19 PM
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Spark plugs, a new O2 sensor (make sure the wiring is good too), plug wires, and a general tune up will help alot. Oh also check the air filter.

-Joe
Old 07-02-04, 12:41 PM
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Shifting at 2500 instead of 4000 netted me an extra 2 mpg.
Old 07-02-04, 12:53 PM
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I get 19-21 mpg around town(keep it below 4000 mosty, acouple try to the redline). I have did any highway driving.

S4 GXL with 92,xxx and tune up just done
Old 07-02-04, 12:58 PM
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i get 18-21mpg in my 86 n/a
Old 07-02-04, 01:07 PM
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13 city/20 highway 88t2
Old 07-02-04, 10:54 PM
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We're getting around 9 to 11 mpg City and 15 or so mpg Highway.

When putting foot on gas,you can smell the gas very well with the windows down. There's a small exhaust leak in front of the catalytic converter and when its idling and you lean down, you can smell gas,but there doesnt appear to be a gas leak visible anywhere.

The water temp sensor is bad, and we have yet to replace the O2 Sensor and airfilter.
Old 07-02-04, 11:51 PM
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Pulsation damper, pulsation damper, pulsation damper. Did you change it? Might not help the mileage, but 11 mpg is loads better than a crispy Rex.
Old 07-03-04, 01:20 AM
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no pistons... no problem

 
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stop complaining, i get 4mpg on a stock 88 GTU
Old 07-03-04, 10:29 AM
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No more mileage topics! There are thousands already.

Many things can be done to improve mileage. Don't drive like a crazy person. That's the #1. You'll gain 5-10 MPG right there. Now do a FULL 60K tuneup. Plugs, wires, water temp sensor, air temp sensor, check timing, belts, set TPS, have injectors professionally cleaned, air/fuel filter. Set your idle speed (I have no idea why so many people insist on upping their idle speed...probably to compensate for other problems) to factory. Don't use the A/C.

I'll expand on that no driving like a crazy person. My Honda Insight has tought me many things. In the Insight, you get a direct feedback as to how much fuel you are using. So by watching this, you can adjust your driving style. Start by combining a bunch of short trips into one. Don't drive to the corner store, then half an hour later go one block further, etc. Make one major trip that covers everwhere you need to go. Keeps the car warmed up. Realise that you DON'T need to race between red lights. When the light turns green, use only minimal throttle and shift under 3.5K. If it takes you less then 30 seconds to get to 40 MPH, you're driving too fast. Also, don't drive for where you are. Drive for where you will be. If you expect to just get stopped at another light, there's no need to get up to the speed limit only to have to slow down again. Get up to a resonable speed, then coast the rest of the way. Once you get practice, you will find that you never stop for a red light. Get an A/F gauge. Now you have feedback as to what the ECU is doing with regards to fuel. Drive to keep the gauge in stoich, lean or closed loop.
Old 07-04-04, 10:42 PM
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*coughs* I drive the car like a grandma in the condition it is in and it seems like the mileage is now down to 7mpg and no major problems to the engine or ECU i can find. Is it the quality of gas? Fuel system cleaner? The fact that maaaybe it came with half a tank of bad gas sitting in it when i bought the thing and i didnt empty the tank?
Old 07-04-04, 10:50 PM
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that may be, im no expert but make sure all the tires are in good shape and have enough air, i had one really low tire and once i got it replaced (found 3 roofing nails in it) the gas milage improved a little
Old 07-04-04, 11:00 PM
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Originally posted by simply_sexy_racing
The fact that maaaybe it came with half a tank of bad gas sitting in it when i bought the thing and i didnt empty the tank?
So... you ran half a tank of basically gooey sludge through your fuel system, and you wonder why your fuel economy sucks?

Pump filter, fuel filter, injectors cleaned?

-=Russ=-
Old 07-08-04, 09:50 PM
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everything clean except injectors...too lazy...but the car seems perfectly fine except im going through a tank a day
Old 07-08-04, 10:43 PM
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... you've run half a tank of sludge through your system, through your injectors, you've cleaned everything except the parts that actually matter most... See a trend here?

-=Russ=-
Old 07-09-04, 12:25 AM
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I went from an average of 17mpg to 22mpg doing the following:

- change all belts
- new spark plugs
- inflated tires to proper level
- cleaned the enormous amount of gunk off my oil cooler
- replaced diff and tranny fluid with 75w royal purple (this helped alot)
- cleaned up a couple of grounds

I'm sure I can get it a little better. I plan on cleaning up as much electrical as I can soon, and fabricating a better intake (cone and new air box). I also shift at 3500rpm unless I'm feeling saucy.

It's a 1987 GXL, 106,xxx miles.
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