View Full Version : Any mods that enhance MPG AND power?
grampi
05-09-2007, 10:21 AM
Just curious if there are any mods available that enhance both fuel economy and power. I'd be interested in something that does both. Thanks.
ChinoCharles
05-09-2007, 11:27 AM
NST makes a lightened crank pulley for $110 or so... a couple members reported better mileage with it installed. Also, any aspiration mods should (in theory) improve MPG... ie: intake and exhaust. There are options available that aren't overly loud or intrusive, but still provide a nice improvement over stock. You could also switch to lightweight rims, shave weight off the car by removing the rear seats if you don't need them... there are quite a few options.
kurokoma-kun
05-09-2007, 11:52 AM
Sorry, ima dummee--have read a bunch of threads about intake/exhaust and still have a question...
Is it necessary to install both to obtain good gain? I had CAI and cat-back on previous car b/c at the time was told there was not much in doing one without other...
exhaust and intake both help mpg. they also improve mpg on its own. but with installing these mods, it tends to make ppl a little heavier on the gas cuz they wanna feel the tiny extra power they have gained and/or to hear their intake sucking in air at like 4000 rpm.
I believe that turbos also increase mpg but only if you drive it normally.
But let's face it... who's gonna upgrade their performance and not push their car after?
kurokoma-kun
05-09-2007, 12:08 PM
But let's face it... who's gonna upgrade their performance and not push their car after?
push it AFTER? hell i push it so hard now it redonkulous, car is gonna bust me in da grill...
Right now I'm on the edge
So don't push me
I aim straight for your head
So don't push me
Fill your ass up with lead
So don't push me...
Imagine
05-09-2007, 03:44 PM
A couple of things to keep in mind..
CAI and Exhaust can HURT performance more then help.. Sure you may have a higher peak horse power at the top of the revs, but the less restriction can take away from your power on the lowend. Since it sounds like he's looking for something to get good gas mileage, I doubt that he will be running the crap out of it if he wants better mpg.
Your best bet is to keep the cars maintenance up to date, change fluids regularly, etc. and maybe put a K&N drop in filter in it. At least you only have to buy one of those and just clean them. They pay for themselves eventually.
Astroman
05-09-2007, 03:58 PM
One thing that will help with mileage would be to keep your tires properly inflated. This is a small thing that many people overlook. I picked up a digital pressure tire gauge for about 10 bucks and with the amount of driving I do it has easily paid for itself. You could also go above the recommended tire pressure, but I wouldn't over do it. It makes for less rolling resistance, but the ride might be harsher and like under inflated tires, over inflating and lead to reduced tire life. I purchased some lightweight 17" wheels and the nitto tires that came with them have a recommended pressure of 51. I checked my pressure after going to a tire shop and had them check it for me, they were only putting 32psi, which cost me some mileage. Of course, you could always get a "performance" chip off of ebay, lol :laugh:
Imagine
05-09-2007, 04:01 PM
Of course, you could always get a "performance" chip off of ebay, lol :laugh:
How could I have forgotten about the performance chip? :thumbup: :bellyroll:
Astroman
05-09-2007, 04:14 PM
How could I have forgotten about the performance chip? :thumbup: :bellyroll:
Don't forget the fuel saver module that will get you 15mpg more! :headbang:
grampi
05-09-2007, 04:39 PM
I'm assuming you guys are kidding about the performance chip, right?
BokChoi
05-09-2007, 05:45 PM
kidding is not allowed on yarisworld.
just kidding
Astroman
05-09-2007, 06:03 PM
I'm assuming you guys are kidding about the performance chip, right? Yes, I was kidding. DON'T get it! The best ways to gain performance while maintaining/increasing MPG are:
Tire pressure maintained
Clean air filter, whether cold air intake or drop in type
Light wheels (most plus-sized wheels are heavy. Always check the weight)
Lightened pulleys (So far NST has the lightest, and only the crank pulley is out so far)
Free(r) flowing exhaust. I went with TRD, isn't super loud either, no fart-can here
lose any extra weight
avoid ebay gimicks promising huge power gains and mpg gains
shark fin antenna. (Hatchback only) That long antenna sure isn't helping wind resistance.
Keep the car clean and waxed
Keep your eyes open on the road ahead. Planning manuvers can help you time stoplights, merge with traffic and what not.
I switched to 5w-20 synthetic oil and noticed a difference after the stupid dealer put in 10w-30 dinosaur oil in there. More performance and HUGE increase in MPG. I wouldn't recommend 10w-30 at all. You can put it in there, but that heavy of oil isn't needed. There's my 2 cents for now. :thumbsup:
brought up a really good point. Going with a too big of an exhaust or having a crappy header will lower your power. I believe people here has upgraded to a 2" to a 2.5" exhaust, nothing more.
I have a 2007 Yaris hatchback with a 5 speed manual tranmission. I installed a TRD's Cold air intake and mileage improved about 50 miles more per tank of gas.
churp
05-10-2007, 12:04 AM
Dropping the car will decrease drag if you do a lot of hwy/frwy driving....2" drop is probably 3% reduction of frontal area. 2"drop times width of car equals at least a 10"square....how much force does it take when you hold a full size notebook up to the wind at 60mph?
Imagine
05-10-2007, 08:07 AM
brought up a really good point. Going with a too big of an exhaust or having a crappy header will lower your power. I believe people here has upgraded to a 2" to a 2.5" exhaust, nothing more.
2.5 inch exhaust on a naturally aspirated Yaris!? Thats nuts!!! I wouldn't go over 2 inches max without some sort of forced induction. 1.5 inch would probably work better. Turbo cars and V8s usually run 2.5-3 inch exhaust.:eyebulge: Be very careful of the parts you buy though. Do a lot of research for before and after dyno sheets and pay close attention to the HP and torque at lower RPMs. See if there is any decrease in power. Especially around the 2500 - 3000 RPM range since that is where most of the street driving takes place. Don't fall into this 5HP gain trick. Yes, you might gain 5hp at 6000 RPM but there is a good chance that you lose torque or HP at the low and midrange areas. I don't know about you, but spending $300-$400 on something that is a power decrease where I drive most seems like a waste of money to me.
grampi
05-10-2007, 08:17 AM
Yes, I was kidding. DON'T get it! The best ways to gain performance while maintaining/increasing MPG are:
Tire pressure maintained
Clean air filter, whether cold air intake or drop in type
Light wheels (most plus-sized wheels are heavy. Always check the weight)
Lightened pulleys (So far NST has the lightest, and only the crank pulley is out so far)
Free(r) flowing exhaust. I went with TRD, isn't super loud either, no fart-can here
lose any extra weight
avoid ebay gimicks promising huge power gains and mpg gains
shark fin antenna. (Hatchback only) That long antenna sure isn't helping wind resistance.
Keep the car clean and waxed
Keep your eyes open on the road ahead. Planning manuvers can help you time stoplights, merge with traffic and what n
I switched to 5w-20 synthetic oil and noticed a difference after the stupid dealer put in 10w-30 dinosaur oil in there. More performance and HUGE increase in MPG. I wouldn't recommend 10w-30 at all. You can put it in there, but that heavy of oil isn't needed. There's my 2 cents for now. :thumbsup:
Is 5W-20 called for in the Yaris?
Astroman
05-10-2007, 12:22 PM
Yup! It even says so on the oil cap :thumbsup: I've heard of people using 0w-20, but where I live it gets over 100f in the summer and below zero in the winter so I'm sticking with the 5w-20. It is a energy conserving oil. Even my gf's '98 Taurus wagon recommends 5w-20.
spkrman
05-10-2007, 01:07 PM
kidding is not allowed on yarisworld.
just kidding
ban?
2.5 inch exhaust on a naturally aspirated Yaris!? Thats nuts!!!
I personally have a 2" exhaust. I know others here who have 2.25" and 2.5" and they have not complained about losing any low end tq yet.
Imagine
05-10-2007, 03:12 PM
Have you dynoed it though? I'd love to see what the difference is in the power delivery. Losing two hp isn't going to make the car undriveable. Probably wouldn't even really notice, but my point is it enough to justify spending the money?
If you like it, great! I'm not saying don't do it. I'm just noting potential possibilities.
ZPIracing
05-10-2007, 04:50 PM
turbo kit increase MPG almost a solid 5mpg when driven in off boost...The trick is to stop flooring it..easier said than done.
nebulight
05-11-2007, 08:11 PM
turbo kit increase MPG almost a solid 5mpg when driven in off boost...The trick is to stop flooring it..easier said than done.
I second what he said about flooring it. This post doesn't make much sense because if you want something for performance, you lose gas milage by beating on your car. If you want good gas milage, stop driving your Yaris like it was an Evo or something.
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