mods for mpg
If I go from the 25 mpg I'm getting now to 32, it would take about 81 tanks of fuel to recoup the cost of dumping 1200 in mods, which at the rate I drive, would be 1 tank per week, so about a 1.5 year payback. I don't plan on selling the car so in my mind it would be worth it.
Honestly, any modification that adds power with exception of cam, and supercharger should also make mpg go up. Intake, exhaust, better flowing heads, all make the engine more efficient which is why they make more power. A cam will hold valves open longer to add power so that actually draws more air/fuel which should hurt mpg to a degree.
IMO, I'd also ditch the K&N and get a reusable dry flow air filter, clean the MAFS, check the intake for oil build-up. If there is anything more than a very minor oil build-up I'd add a catch-can, and clean the oil out of the intake and intake ports on the heads, and upgrading to a LS6 intake wouldn't hurt either.
On The Tree
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 107
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Get a Japanese 4 banger. I hate to say it, but my mother gets 38mpg highway and 24mpg city in her Nissan Sentra. I get 16mpg city and 24mpg highway (on a LONG TRIP) in my A4. Not to mention you're putting premium in your LS1 (hopefully!) and a little commuter car runs on regular and can get decent MPG improvements from a universal air filter and maybe a couple free mods. Driving your LS1 commuter is going to cost way more in the long run when it comes to tires, gas, and overall maintenance. Modding is an addiction, and if you could get MPGs out of a heads/cam/turbo combo, you'd lie to yourself saying your gonna buy parts for "gas mileage" I know it's cool to drive your V8 around and always have power on tap, but for the miles you're going, a little beater car on the weekdays, will save tons of money for modding the LS1s on the weekends. Not to mention your MPGs goes to crap when a Mustang GT lines up with you...
A lot of things not mentioned here - some will cost money as a true mod, some will simply be replacing worn parts
1st - reduce rotating mass as much as possible. An aluminum flywheel & light pressure plate combo, 16" alloy rims, and a skinnier front tire (225 or 235 for example) will work well on a dd.
2nd - (already mentioned) static weight. Remove whatever you do not need/can live without
3rd - ditch the shift assist - it's there for emissions not mileage (the two don't always go hand and hand).
4th - when you get it tuned, ask your tuner to modify your dfco (de-accel fuel cut off) to something more aggressive
5th - driver mod is, as others have mentioned, probably the most important aspect to mileage. Rely on cruise often, and dfco as a way to slow your vehicle
6th - If your driving over 45 mph, you'll actually make better mileage with your a/c on as apposed to your windows down or t tops off.
Many other good points here, with the exception of the import car suggestion... They are nice if the ONLY thing you care about is mileage or you are into them, but if you enjoy f body's and keep it close to stock, you can get good gas mileage with good power when you want to use it. The sporty imports from the last decade aren't even that impressive for mileage. My GFs '04 Acura TSX gets 28mpg highway with a 5 speed auto - which was exactly what my TA was getting in completely stock form when I bought it...
1st - reduce rotating mass as much as possible. An aluminum flywheel & light pressure plate combo, 16" alloy rims, and a skinnier front tire (225 or 235 for example) will work well on a dd.
2nd - (already mentioned) static weight. Remove whatever you do not need/can live without
3rd - ditch the shift assist - it's there for emissions not mileage (the two don't always go hand and hand).
4th - when you get it tuned, ask your tuner to modify your dfco (de-accel fuel cut off) to something more aggressive
5th - driver mod is, as others have mentioned, probably the most important aspect to mileage. Rely on cruise often, and dfco as a way to slow your vehicle
6th - If your driving over 45 mph, you'll actually make better mileage with your a/c on as apposed to your windows down or t tops off.
Many other good points here, with the exception of the import car suggestion... They are nice if the ONLY thing you care about is mileage or you are into them, but if you enjoy f body's and keep it close to stock, you can get good gas mileage with good power when you want to use it. The sporty imports from the last decade aren't even that impressive for mileage. My GFs '04 Acura TSX gets 28mpg highway with a 5 speed auto - which was exactly what my TA was getting in completely stock form when I bought it...
