CO ZX2 |
04-13-2007 11:45 AM |
DRW.
What do you think you're doing? Don't you know you're in California? Colorado is s'posed to be only place with hills (downhills, that is).
Seriously, you have made gigantic gains in a month. Really good to see that in a car that probably wouldn't be considered by many to be a great FE machine. And besides that, it runs good in the quarter mile. Congratulations.
Before the Challenge I had a number of items that needed to be on my car but I had not got around to. Cold starts and ensuing poor mileage for miles had been on my mind. The second week GasMisers5 was in, it was cold and snowed most of the week. I finally made room in the garage for Old Reliable and installed my block heater. Also had a hose water heater, put that on at the same time. Decided to put an oil heater I had gotten for the trans on the engine oil pan for now. Took my alternator off to check for a way to put a field switch. I had the thing all apart and my neighbor called and said he could help with my trans gears Saturday. Heaters were done and I rigged a piece of inner tube to drive the water pump. I had decided to leave the alternator off for the 6.2 miles to his place. Air conditioning compressor and power steering were left disconnected also.
Friday night I got ready to go. I started thinking I should do something to hold the heat from the block and water heaters overnight. Garage not heated yet. I had rolls of R30 insulation and used 3 batts fender to fender between the engine and the hood. I had plenty of insulation left and covered the space between the floor and the car body all around.
Saturday morning 7 AM, 16 degrees F. When I got in the car I almost rolled my window down it was so warm. I drove about a quarter mile and the car was in closed loop. Usually takes at least 4 miles for that to happen. I didn't get far down the road before I began noticing drastically improved MPG readings on ScanGauge. When I reached my neighbor's place I had 122 MPG registering. He had the garage door open, I just coasted in. Before, every time I drove by his place, SG would show 80-82 MPG. That difference will wake you up.
I may not have done these things even today except for the Challenge.
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