Fuel economy

Swedishmoose · 10-12-2008, 03:28 PM

Hi there,

I tried to work with the search option to find out more about improving the fuel economy of the AU Falcon inline 6 engine.

Maybe I put in the wrong search criteria but I couldn't find anything that made me happy in a way.

So...i got a 157kw AU II Falcon Futura ( year 2000 ) and I'd like to improve the fuel economy a bit. The best bet would be LPG , I know...

but the small things in live also help sometimes.

What did you guys do to improve the fuel economy ?

-different spark plugs ?
-K&N airfilter ?
-different air intake snorkel ?

or is there probably a secret weapon against the gas guzzling?
I don't expect much, but an improvement of 1-1.5 liter per 100 km would be a success.

thank you in advance for any kind of help and information

Swedishmoose

sikford · 10-12-2008, 03:46 PM

plugs might help, i wouldnt say get a k&n as i think it sucks more juice if your after more economy. Not sure on the snorkel

**Professor Farnsworth** · 10-12-2008, 03:53 PM

i've found fitting a decent set of headers to my cars always seems to improve fuel economy. However it also usually gives more power bandwidth available too, which, if you use, will make the economy worse :P

MAD · 10-12-2008, 03:55 PM

What is your fuel economy at the moment?
The biggest improvement could be had from just replacing your O2 sensor if it is stuffed, or even the thermostat if it has failed and is keeping the engine from getting to operating temp.
Theoretically extractors improve scavenging and therefore the efficiency of the burn in the combustion chamber. But as crackersINC stated, it can go either way depending on your foot.

james22 · 10-12-2008, 03:58 PM

A good quality exhaust with extractors will up your fuel economy, but as said above its also more tempting to put the boot in.

K & N would help a little, snorkel hmm maybe, dont' think you'd notice much there.

Keep tyre pressures nice and high to minimise drag\friction.

Probably the biggest factor playing into fuel economy would be driving style.

BIGJB · 10-12-2008, 04:05 PM

^^^^^ what he said.

bloggs24 · 10-12-2008, 08:24 PM

get a flash tuner and custom tune with economy in mind rather then power.

blueoval · 11-12-2008, 12:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bloggs24

get a flash tuner and custom tune with economy in mind rather then power.

I agree with this comment.

If your not interested at modding your car at all and are only interested in economy, a flash tune of your vehicle to obtain maximum economy from your stock setup would see marked improvements, as the factory setting for your car would err on the side of rich. The flash tune would be specifically tuned to your car and the fuel you use daily.

ayeyew · 11-12-2008, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bloggs24

get a flash tuner and custom tune with economy in mind rather then power.

Best advice!

One of Joes tunes took my DTE up from an avg of around 420-450 to 600-650, driving the exact same routes and exact same style

I have never EVER had economy like that, except for freeway driving.

My current tune produces 141kW and I am still more fuel economical than i was prior to the tune (around 500km DTE now) and she is still running a little rich on the low end too, so once that gets fixed up, even more economy

and more TORQUE

blueoval · 11-12-2008, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ayeyew

Best advice!

One of Joes tunes took my DTE up from an avg of around 420-450 to 600-650, driving the exact same routes and exact same style

I have never EVER had economy like that, except for freeway driving.

My current tune produces 141kW and I am still more fuel economical than i was prior to the tune (around 500km DTE now) and she is still running a little rich on the low end too, so once that gets fixed up, even more economy

and more TORQUE

So that tune was with better power and economy?

ayeyew · 11-12-2008, 04:18 PM

The tune which changed by DTE to 620-650 had more top end than pre-tune, but lacked any balls whatsoever until around 2000rpm.

My current tune still lacks a bit down low, but DTE has improved by around 100km/tank over stocker (although i have only filled up once since the tune) and i broke 140 at the wheels and she goes pretty damn hard.

Her AFR is around 11.9 at the moment in the bottom end, moves upto 13.0-13.1 mid-top end, so DTE should improve once the down low set up moves to around 13 also.

I tell you what tho, she hauls ***... has little trouble against my mates mildly modded golf gti (after the initial second or two) and i think that runs high 14's

blueoval · 11-12-2008, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ayeyew

The tune which changed by DTE to 620-650 had more top end than pre-tune, but lacked any balls whatsoever until around 2000rpm.

My current tune still lacks a bit down low, but DTE has improved by around 100km/tank over stocker (although i have only filled up once since the tune) and i broke 140 at the wheels and she goes pretty damn hard.

Her AFR is around 11.9 at the moment in the bottom end, moves upto 13.0-13.1 mid-top end, so DTE should improve once the down low set up moves to around 13 also.

I tell you what tho, she hauls ***... has little trouble against my mates mildly modded golf gti (after the initial second or two) and i think that runs high 14's

I assume the cam has made things liven right up for you with the added bonus of the tune too. Some serious grunt from what is pretty much a mild setup. I like what you have done.

mik · 11-12-2008, 08:49 PM

drive smoothly and coast to traffic lights, smooth driving will also save driveline and brakes as well as fuel.

Swedishmoose · 12-12-2008, 01:41 PM

Hello again....

thank you guys for all the replies...

I guess I'll fix up a few things....

First I might stick with the basics and later on I'll do the more complicated part.

By the way....can anyone explain what a flash tuner is ? Never heard of it.

The last time I went 410 km and refueled 54 Liter. So it is roughly about 13.5 L / 100 km in the city.

Thank you again

The Moose

SVR73 · 12-12-2008, 04:34 PM

my best effort in the forte with 3.08 diff, stage 2 crow cam, extractors and single 2.5 inch zorst with lukey ultra flo muffler was 1175 km from burton to cobar in western NSW with about 40 km left on the DTE when we stopped to refuel

**Professor Farnsworth** · 12-12-2008, 05:23 PM

that's pretty incredibile economy... that's something the AU's are certainly renowned for, highway economy..

The Monty · 12-12-2008, 06:16 PM

Id say keep your tires pumped, new OXY sensor, new K&N filter, and a CAPA flash box (can get them from our sponsors) and an economy tune. Hell, I get 700k's to a tank, run 14's and have only a generic tune, so still have gains to be made.