Tuning Steps to decrease fuel consumption?

[madsb]

Hi guys First post here, so bear with me

I'm buying a Fiat Punto mk1 86 16v Sporting soon, and I'm looking for steps to take towards decreasing fuel consumption without remarkably compromising performance. Fuel is crazy expensive where I live, so I thought that it'd be a good investment.

I searched the forums but couldn't find anything.
Any help appreciated

Cheers

 

[fingers99]

Nothing, really, you can do except change driving style.

Or convert to LPG?

 

[madsb]

It doesn't neccessarily have to be something that I can do personally. It can be paid upgrades by an mechanic etc. Surely there must be something..

 

[fingers99]

Nothing. It's easy to get more for more out of a petrol engine. More for less on an old engine is pretty unlikely.

LPG is cheap here -- worth checking in Denmark.

 

[fostertom]

Well, I'm actively considering a mk2 engine c/w with all electronics etc and 6sp box with taller top gear - nominally considerably better mpg. And/or putting ditto into the 70SX Uno.

 

[dumbledore]

Servicing the engine and keeping the engine in top condition will help to get the best out of the car.
So do an oil change in winter put a thin grade, synthetic.
Put some new spark plugs and replace leads if they are old.
Change the air filter to a performance one may help. Make sure the exhaust system is free flowing and cat and lamda sensor are working correctly. Make sure the injectors are clean so some injector cleaner will help. Drive sensible and only race the engine if you are in a harry, and make a note when you do it, the expected fuel save will take a knock. Lower the car to make it a bit more aerodynamic, keep the tyres pumped to the upper allowable limit. (around 32psi) Make sure you get above 40 mpg but expect about 2mpg worse performance in winter.

 

[flisko]

Servicing the engine and keeping the engine in top condition will help to get the best out of the car.
So do an oil change in winter put a thin grade, synthetic.
Put some new spark plugs and replace leads if they are old.
Change the air filter to a performance one may help. Make sure the exhaust system is free flowing and cat and lamda sensor are working correctly. Make sure the injectors are clean so some injector cleaner will help. Drive sensible and only race the engine if you are in a harry, and make a note when you do it, the expected fuel save will take a knock. Lower the car to make it a bit more aerodynamic, keep the tyres pumped to the upper allowable limit. (around 32psi) Make sure you get above 40 mpg but expect about 2mpg worse performance in winter.

isnt putting new spark plugs to decrease fuel consumption an old wives tale?

 

[Liquid Knight]

I don't know how listening to "Steps" will help. Apart from making you want to use your car less.

Driving technique with produce the best results but all cars are a compromise when they leave the factory. Emissions red tape and standard filters bought at cost instead of efficiency in mind can be replaced.

As well as a marginal power increase a better set up engine will give you better economy.

Good luck.

 

[s and b]

isnt putting new spark plugs to decrease fuel consumption an old wives tale?

no

 

[s and b]

of course an unworn engine is the first step to economy
im finding daily now that anyone under 40 doesnt understand that things wear out

 

[MadMan0]

An old thread but nevertheless; one way to increase the engine efficiency is to increase the compression ratio

Alternatively you can:
Make the vehicle lighter.
Roughen the engine bores to reduce internal friction.
Add a windage try to sump if you haven't already got one.
Use correct or higher tyre pressures.
Use a less restrictive exhaust system.
Use a less restrictive inlet system.
Clean the valves.
Polish the inlet.
New high compression engine.
Ensure the brakes are not stuck on
Remove the alternator (not the best idea for a road car but...)
Good maintenance on the vehicle in general.
Methanol injection (works better on supercharged engine though)

Only listed a few, but the big one is the compression ratio for the engine.

 

[fingers99]

Forgot the main one -- reduce weight!

 

[MadMan0]

Forgot the main one -- reduce weight!

That's number 2

 

[flisko]

An old thread but nevertheless; one way to increase the engine efficiency is to increase the compression ratio

Alternatively you can:
Make the vehicle lighter.
Roughen the engine bores to reduce internal friction.
Add a windage try to sump if you haven't already got one.
Use correct or higher tyre pressures.
Use a less restrictive exhaust system.
Use a less restrictive inlet system.
Clean the valves.
Polish the inlet.
New high compression engine.
Ensure the brakes are not stuck on
Remove the alternator (not the best idea for a road car but...)
Good maintenance on the vehicle in general.
Methanol injection (works better on supercharged engine though)

Only listed a few, but the big one is the compression ratio for the engine.

do u mean some sort of sport exhaust? i thought those ones just add sound + 1hp and increase fuel consumption

 

[MadMan0]

do u mean some sort of sport exhaust? i thought those ones just add sound + 1hp and increase fuel consumption

Sort of; it depends on how you drive. I.e. if you eat motorway miles at 80ish then a free flowing exhaust will move the back pressure to the top end where the engine is revving hardest; so there are less losses when trying to push the exhaust out and the camber has less remaining exhaust present to allow the cooler charge to be sucked in.

If you're doing stop/start 100m sprints then it might still help but the mpg will be poor to begin with anyway.