New Michigander

[bbanzai]

Greetings:

I have been following this site for a couple weeks now, trying to learn
new techniques to improve mileage. I originally had the notion to
restrict like Nascar racers do on certain tracks to decrease horsepower
and remap pcm to lean out for economy. Then, I saw the thread on
"hotboxing", I call it. Where you increase IAT and let the computer
do the rest. I had already developed some hypermiling techniques with
my 'vette (87 L98 TPI) since it has a computer and gives feedback for
driving techniques, although never turning the motor off. I had bought
a 2000 Saturn LS2 real cheap and in excellent condition last fall. It was advertised as a SL2. I didn't realize this until I got home, knowing virtually
nothing about Saturns. I did like all the bells and whistles, and this had
all but one(the CD changer.) Mileage was disappointing, though.

Anyway, I taped off all openings in the front of the car with automotive duct tape (radiator block?). Removed the rear spoiler. Then cut a hole in the back side of the air filter box. Next I taped over the hole in the front after removing the duct work ( a short rubber/plastic section about 8" long.) Put the short piece in the hole I had cut in the back( squished a little since it was oval.) I then took a piece of flex exhaust I had laying around (2 1/4"), cut it to reach the exhaust manifold and secured that in place with wire. The only reason I am posting this now is that the preliminary results are amazing. This Saturn's sticker ( which I have) gives 20 city and 26 highway.
I have been getting between 24 - 27 mpg depending on driving techniques
and type of driving (long or short drives.) I just got back to from Kalamazoo
on a short trip. I filled it up a few days ago and the next day actually
finished extending the duct to the manifold(no shroud yet!) And it looks like
I will still get mid thirties mpg on mixed driving! I have never gotten 200
miles on half a tank (13.1 gal), I now have over 200. Yes, I now about
fillup variation, since I have been keeping mileage on cars since i was a kid
and I don't consider this hard data yet. Still, this is such a dramatic change
from all previous experience with this car that I am almost shocked.

John