Besides buying a honda, setting the carbs properly, and inflating the tires to the max on the sidewall, does anyone know some tricks for better fuel economy on the 02s?

I do *some :devillook * spirited driving, but when im just cruising around town, i'd like to save fuel.

My biggest concern is driving technique with a carbed engine. Whats everyone thoughts on throttle position in relation to RPM? I didnt grow up with carbed engines like some of the guys on this forum.

The DCOEs are supposed to change circuits around 3k rpm, as well as the extra advance, and the cam is probaly helping make some power. I figure the idea is to stay below 3k since that is where the engine really wakes up.

How about the mudflaps, and the dual 3x5 fog/driving lights? Im thinking its overkill, but i've heard of the guys with toyota trucks ditching the mudflaps.

Also post you MPG. I'd like to know where we all stand. From what I've read on the FAQ, 25-29 is common.

I keep getting around 20 MPG. That means I fill up about twice a week, probaly more.

Around town with a few sub 65 mph highway driving miles.

:confused

If I drive REAL easy, i can do 25 mpg or so. But the driving i do with this car on weekends and for fun, tend to yield me about 20mpg or so.

4-speed, with Weber 38/38, exhaust, header and Crane ignition. Nothing spectacular, just spirited fun driving.

FQ

@ 3000rpm are'nt you lugging the motor? I'd keep it above 3k and just enjoy! Unfortunatly thats the downside of DCOE's with a cam. In my opinion, its a small price to pay. I have CIS injection in my '73 and around town I'm getting 22 to 23 mpg keeping the rpm's above 3k. On the freeway the 5 speed helps with 26 to 28 mpg's.

Cris

@ 3000rpm are'nt you lugging the motor? I'd keep it above 3k and just enjoy! Unfortunatly thats the downside of DCOE's with a cam. In my opinion, its a small price to pay. I have CIS injection in my '73 and around town I'm getting 22 to 23 mpg keeping the rpm's above 3k. On the freeway the 5 speed helps with 26 to 28 mpg's.

Cris

Not really. Cruising below 2000 seems like lugging to me. I usually pick the gear that requires less pedal. I dont want to constantly spin the motor at high rpm too much.

I'd keep the rpm's in the sweet spot of a particular motor. These m10's love to rev. I don't think you'll gain much more mpg's by keeping the motor below a certain rpm. In normal driving, just refrain from WOT and remember smooth starts from a stop and smooth throttle application in normal driving will yield the best milage. Keep in mind these are'nt the most aerodynamic cars. In my experience with a few '02's I've always been around 20-25 mpg's regardless of it having a single barrell Solex, Weber 32/36, Mikuni 40's or efi.

Cris

I'd keep the rpm's in the sweet spot of a particular motor. These m10's love to rev. I don't think you'll gain much more mpg's by keeping the motor below a certain rpm. In normal driving, just refrain from WOT and remember smooth starts from a stop and smooth throttle application in normal driving will yield the best milage. Keep in mind these are'nt the most aerodynamic cars. In my experience with a few '02's I've always been around 20-25 mpg's regardless of it having a single barrell Solex, Weber 32/36, Mikuni 40's or efi.

Cris

I'll keep that in mind. I just thought it would be wise to stay under 3k, becuase somewhere around there, the carb switches off the idle circuit.

Around town, the aerodynamics shouldn't matter that much, and with the short gears, these things should be good in town.

You guys dont have a problem with shifting over 3k rpm all the time? I feel bad screaming the engine all the time, considering its age and all. I cant believe some of you cruise in town at 3000 RPM +. I learned to drive with jeeps and toyota pickups, so I guess its a different animal.

These high compression motors love to rev. Having been around m10's so long, I've seen them with tons of miles and still they love to rev. Solid bottom ends. Don't be worried about abusing them. Keep in mind the Jeeps and Toyotas you mention are trucks so the cam profiles in those motors are suited for low rpm grunt.

Cris

fuel economy... ehhee, my tii is boosted running 40lb. injectors... i go through a full tank in about a week... :D

my tii is boosted running 40lb. injectors...

Sounds like a sweet ride! Can you post pics?

TIA,

fuel economy... ehhee, my tii is boosted running 40lb. injectors... i go through a full tank in about a week... :D

Yup thats about as often as I fill up. Maybe more.

You guys dont have a problem with shifting over 3k rpm all the time? I feel bad screaming the engine all the time, considering its age and all. I cant believe some of you cruise in town at 3000 RPM +. I learned to drive with jeeps and toyota pickups, so I guess its a different animal.

ya It took me a while to learn how to drive my tii. Honestly it loves living above 4k and really lives between 5k-6k. When I first got it I was coming off driving my various old ford pickups and so I never really reved it like it was made for. Now I have trouble staying below 5k

on my Tii that is where all the power is, upper range, and the car seems to really like it. Below 4500 its kind of doggy but above that its a freaking cheeta.
Tonight driving home I was shifting at 6k and the dang 30 year old car was as happy as can be. It was a freaking blast too. No worries wind that old bitch out man !!!!

-z

ya It took me a while to learn how to drive my tii. Honestly it loves living above 4k and really lives between 5k-6k. When I first got it I was coming off driving my various old ford pickups and so I never really reved it like it was made for. Now I have trouble staying below 5k

on my Tii that is where all the power is, upper range, and the car seems to really like it. Below 4500 its kind of doggy but above that its a freaking cheeta.
Tonight driving home I was shifting at 6k and the dang 30 year old car was as happy as can be. It was a freaking blast too. No worries wind that old bitch out man !!!!

-z

I'll have to try that....when I get it back on the road.

You will get it's best mileage running at the torque peak rpm or very close to that. That's where the engine has the easiest time producing power with the least amount of fuel. My engine is currently tuned via intake and header to make best torque at just under 4000rpm. I have no need to rev my engine over 5500rpm as power falls off by then, partly due to old valve springs and partly due to the header. The torque is tremendous for a 4 cyl. There is an obvious valley in the fuel map at that rpm. I can get just over 30mpg with my efi conversion running at 60mph. I can get 27 or so at 75mph with the 5 speed and 3.91 rear gear.

ken

Sounds like a sweet ride! Can you post pics?

TIA,

Yeah.. i'll post some pics... i'll have to dig them up... i'm currently doing my 5 spd... oh, what fun....

Yup, I average about 27. I once put on sidedraughts and my mileage dropped to about 18.