New Member Introduction and Background

[AnthrAxNSB]

Introduction:

Hello GasSavers.org. I am a new member directed to this forum by an online Geo Metro forum. I do not drive a Metro (I am often tempted to invest in the vert, though), but I did recently purchase a turbocharged 1987 Chevy Sprint. I also own a 1993 Mitsubishi Eclipse GS (2.0 non-turbo) and a 1992 Eagle Talon TSI awd (2.0 turbo). The Eclipse is my first car (purchased in 2000) and still my daily driver. The Talon is one in a series of turbocharged first generation DSMs that I've purchased and restored and/or built. It doesn't see the road much, though. The Sprint is my most recent purchase, the impetus being the "neat" factor of a 1.0 turbocharged econobox, the fuel economy, and the low emissions. I've spent the last few months restoring it and am currently finishing the new exhaust. It should be roadworthy by December.

Background:

I had no interest in automobiles until 2002 when my Mitsubishi Eclipse jumped time on my way home from work. In fact, just months earlier I learned how to perform an oil change. At the point that my car jumped time, I new nothing of how an internal combustion engine functioned (I'm not even sure if I was familiar with the term "internal combustion engine"). But, being poor and intrepid, I jumped into diagnosing and remedying the problem. Fast forward 5 1/2 years and I now restore and build neglected DSMs (for the most part).
Fuel economy was of no concern to me until 2004 while I was utilizing public transportation on my trips to and from my college campus. I was in the midst of a legal battle to restore my driving privileges and I mentioned to a friend, "If gas ever reaches $3.00 a gallon, it won't make financial sense to drive, anyway." Later that year, gas approached $3.00 a gallon, and I was concerned. This was at the peak of my interest in building motors, and although my platform was a 2.0 four cylinder engine, making power with this turbocharged engineering gem can wreak havoc on fuel economy. So, I became interested in other platforms that offered much of the fun of power-based building, but better fuel economy when driven conservatively. That's when I discovered the turbocharged Suzuki Swift/Forsa, Pontiac Firefly, and Chevy Sprint. I kept on the lookout for one being sold locally, and two years later I stumbled upon an add for a non-running Sprint for $900. I looked over the car for two days before determining I could repair it and that it was worth the investment. Months later, it's nearly roadworthy and the recipient of a mild restoration.

Why I'm Here:

I've been monitoring the fuel economy of my Eclipse over the last few months (I keep track from time to time as a rough measure of engine/sensor health) and, with what I consider conservative driving techniques, I've maxed out at 23 mpg (city/highway combined). I'm trying to improve on this number utilizing reliable techniques developed/practiced by enthusiasts. I will likely switch over to the Sprint as my daily driver within the next six months, and I will transfer the techniques I practice with my Eclipse at that time.

That's it...that's everything.