basjoos
11-09-2010, 03:51 PM
Yesterday I went on the first road trip since I had the lean burn engine installed in my car last fall. I went from Greenwood, SC to Florence, SC and back via I-26/I-20. I was traveling at the same speed as the bulk of the traffic, so the rural interstate portions were driven at 75 to 80 mph and the urban portions at 65 to 70mph. Drove the whole way in lean burn except for when climbing the hills. The SuperMId showed 62mpg on the way down with temps ranging from the 30's (scraped frost that morning) to 60 degree F. Got 60mpg on the way back through temps in the 60's with 79mph as the target speed. When I gassed up I got 65.6mpg, but that included about 100 miles of local driving. Not bad for a 19 year old non-hybrid car. I don't know of any new car that could match that mileage at those speeds or any Honda that can easily maintain lean burn at 80mph. The only comments I heard was someone who asked my if my car was a jet car. And of course, the usual situation of cars jockeying for position to take photos.
RobertSmalls
11-09-2010, 08:21 PM
It's hard to argue with 60mpg. Nice work!
Hi Basjoos:
Nice job!
Unfortunately, there are no cars that you can buy to do that nowadays due to the regs and until the BEVs, there is not a chance in hell for a while.
But, I do recommend that you slow down to the PSL as 80 mph is beyond the PSL in the Carolina's IIRC. I can think of at least 25 2010 and 11 cars that would trounce 60 mpgUS on that same route as well. The goal is to raise your FE and lower your emissions no matter what you own and drive. Please keep that in mind my friend.
Good Luck
Wayne
basjoos
11-10-2010, 05:56 AM
I don't usually drive that fast and usually follow the PSL (less on uphills, traffic permitting). This time I just drove at the speeds that you commonly see most traffic doing on the interstates to see what my milege would be under a speed regime that sends most car's mpg into the 20's.
But those 25 cars could only break 60mpg at much lower speeds (below 60mph), a speed where I would be getting mileage in the 70's to low 80's.
phoebeisis
11-10-2010, 06:29 AM
60 mpg at 75 mph- pretty good!
"Someday"- I'll put a removable rear fairing on my FSP .It wouldn't be too hard; I already use a hitch carrier on trips, so the fairing would just be a cover and would only be maybe 18" longer( maybe 4 feet total length) than what it is with just the carrier.
Modifications like Basjoos actually make most sense for brick like vehicles with 90 degree rears like most 1/2 ton SUVs. They are frequently road trip vehicles and frequently have hitch carriers/baskets already. The fairing could be attached /supported by the basket.
Charlie
PaleMelanesian
11-10-2010, 08:57 AM
Very nice! If I had reason to drive highways regularly, I would quickly tire of my car's poor aerodynamics and gear ratios. You've thoroughly dealt with both those points.