Best mods for improved Economy?

never0101 · #1 (**permalink**) 09-27-2007, 07:52 PM

im about to start daily driving my 1997 3800 SE. its got high miles, but runs well, besides my normal maintenance, fuel/air filters, tire pressure, yada yada, what mods would help me get a few extra MPG out of this beast? my work is a 50 mile round trip every day, and im happy to get 18mpg out of my GTP.

i have a K+N drop in panel now, but ive been thinking of getting another cone and running the MSP box that i have laying around. would a set of headers/ported manifolds/etc help out? any ideas, lemme have em! thanks

2FASTGTP · #2 (**permalink**) 09-27-2007, 08:04 PM

I would say exhaust work and PCM programming will help the engine breath and not have the factory super rich computer.

I noticed my biggest gain with my downpipe and ported manifolds.

ilikebmx999 · #3 (**permalink**) 09-28-2007, 12:43 AM

what type of driving is your commute?

i drive about 50% at 55mph country highways and 50% in 25mph zones in the city. after i got my last ticket i drastically changed my driving habits; no speeding and really no boosting. i went from 20mpg to 24.5mpg just with driving habits.

to answer your question i would do a thorough tuneup and if you can afford it, exhaust, intake and maybe some rockers if you want to take it that far. all those should give you a decent amount of mpg. also if you having tuning software you can increase timing in the lower rpms assuming you do it safely with no KR. that would probably net you the most mpg

mikescdn · #4 (**permalink**) 10-10-2007, 10:54 PM

buy a geo

ilikebmx999 · #5 (**permalink**) 10-11-2007, 01:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikescdn

buy a geo

I'm confused how this would get his GRAND PRIX better gas mileage?

SleeperLS · #6 (**permalink**) 10-11-2007, 11:51 AM

I would say change the plugs, wires, fuel filter, and clean out the fuel system. Adding the intake and exhaust will help, and also keeping your foot off the gas

mikescdn · #7 (**permalink**) 10-11-2007, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ilikebmx999

I'm confused how this would get his GRAND PRIX better gas mileage?

well i could be wrong about this, but I doubt Grand Prix's where built for fuel economy?
just giving him the obvious solution.

If that doesn't work, I'd just tell him to keep it in tune, check the trims and such, and keep his foot out of it.

SleeperLS · #8 (**permalink**) 10-11-2007, 12:13 PM

I can imagine they aren't bad on fuel, my 3400 monte got 30mpg highway...they advertise that in these queer ass imports now a days and think it is impressive....GET A GM!

GP_GTP_99 · #9 (**permalink**) 10-12-2007, 07:59 PM

I bought a 10% underdrive water pump pulley and noticed a .5 mpg gain....mainly because (I would imagine) you are taking some strain off the motor.