Mods/parts to improve MPG and performance?

[Sublime1996]

I'm not exactly the smartest person when it comes to cars, but I'm trying to learn. Anyway, are there any mods/parts/etc. to improve both MPG and performance? I know with most addons, they'll give great performance boosts but kill the MPG so I was just curious if anyone knew of any?

Thanks for any help!

 

[gimpo2]

the turbonator

 

[Scott]

Any modification that is going to significantly increase either your gas mileage or your power output is going to negatively affect the other.

But go ahead and mod for power, you can save a lot of gas just by driving civil. Use cruise control where you can, try to stay out of boost, and ease on the gas from a stop.

 

[kura808]

umm i think exhaust helps increase mileage cause a mechanic told me that when they put mine on, i'll get a 1-2 mpg increase. i heard intakes increase ur mileage too. i noticed a slight increase in mpg when i put my k&n drop in in. lol could be wrong but i really did notice that i eat up less gas. hehe also might because cause i had a tune up around the same time xP

 

[Sublime1996]

Any modification that is going to significantly increase either your gas mileage or your power output is going to negatively affect the other.

But go ahead and mod for power, you can save a lot of gas just by driving civil. Use cruise control where you can, try to stay out of boost, and ease on the gas from a stop.

i figured if you increase one, the other is gonna take a hit so thats why i was asking if there is anything to increase both, no matter how big or small.

and if i go too much into power, chances are im gonna be stomping on the gas just because ill feel like superman. im already having that problem and i have an automatic and everything is still stock lol

 

[Capt Crunch]

A tune will help both. You'll get better gas milage as long as you don't romp on it. Most cars can be leaned out to make more power and have a higher mpg, the Speed 3 especially so. I'd go with the Cobb Accessport when it comes out, since it's it's been reliable for the Subaru community.

 

[dread]

Any modification that is going to significantly increase either your gas mileage or your power output is going to negatively affect the other.

But go ahead and mod for power, you can save a lot of gas just by driving civil. Use cruise control where you can, try to stay out of boost, and ease on the gas from a stop.

This statement is completely wrong. Both intakes and exhausts increase power by raising your air to fuel ratio, which means your car is running leaner and you are getting better gas mileage. I installed the mazdaspeed intake in my mazdaspeed 3 and I now have a lot more power (enough to spin the wheels through second gear, which I couldn't do before) and I get 3-4 mpg better than stock.

 

[dread]

A tune will help both. You'll get better gas milage as long as you don't romp on it. Most cars can be leaned out to make more power and have a higher mpg, the Speed 3 especially so. I'd go with the Cobb Accessport when it comes out, since it's it's been reliable for the Subaru community.

He doesn't have a speed 3, and cobb is not releasing the accessport for the regular 3.

 

[Scott]

This statement is completely wrong. Both intakes and exhausts increase power by raising your air to fuel ratio, which means your car is running leaner and you are getting better gas mileage. I installed the mazdaspeed intake in my mazdaspeed 3 and I now have a lot more power (enough to spin the wheels through second gear, which I couldn't do before) and I get 3-4 mpg better than stock.

Actually, it isn't wrong. I specifically said "significantly increase". A 10whp gain isn't what I call significant. I'm talking 50+ gains. You won't gain any SIGNIFICANT power without sacrificing fuel mileage.

Which is precisely why I said driving more calmly will increase your mileage. You won't be in boost. You will be using significantly less gas, and not using as much power.

 

[dread]

I would say the 20+ hp/torque I got from the mazdaspeed intake is a significant increase. The only mod that gives 50+ hp on a standard 3 is a turbo in which case you may be correct, but I still disagree with you because one of the best ways to achieve both power and better gas mileage is to lean out the mixture.

 

[Scott]

Yes, but I don't consider basic bolt-ons to generate significant power.

I guess it's just a difference of opinion.

 

[dread]

Depends on the car as well. The ms3 responds much better to bolts on than the regular 3.

 

[SwampAss]

A tune will help both. You'll get better gas milage as long as you don't romp on it. Most cars can be leaned out to make more power and have a higher mpg, the Speed 3 especially so. I'd go with the Cobb Accessport when it comes out, since it's it's been reliable for the Subaru community.

You tear the hell out of the roof of my mouth..


FWIW, my Golf 1.8T saw an increase in gas mileage of 2 mpg on average after the ECU reflash. 30hp/50ftlbs of torque and 2 more MPG? Can't wait to see what comes out for the 3

 

[WildChild]

Strip all the excess weight out of the car. Spare tire, trim panels, seats, etc

 

[Sublime1996]

ok, as far as the standard 3 is concerned, theres intake, exhaust, tune, and turbonator? and then of course the weight reduction

did i miss anything?

 

[kura808]

lol dont use the turbonator..i think that dude was being sarcastic lol. that thing is a hoax. xP

 

[GoFast]

lol dont use the turbonator..i think that dude was being sarcastic lol. that thing is a hoax. xP

+1,000,000 haha i was about to say the same thing

 

[AndrewW]

I would say the 20+ hp/torque I got from the mazdaspeed intake is a significant increase. The only mod that gives 50+ hp on a standard 3 is a turbo in which case you may be correct, but I still disagree with you because one of the best ways to achieve both power and better gas mileage is to lean out the mixture.

20 hp from an intake? I guess I should get one for my ms6.

 

[Sublime1996]

lol dont use the turbonator..i think that dude was being sarcastic lol. that thing is a hoax. xP

lol damn, i got excited about that haha

good thing i didnt order it then

 

[kura808]

lol most of the time when an ad says that u can increase hp and gas mileage, its a hoax..turbonator and the tornado are some examples. lol i was reading a post on myspace in the protege side, they said that hooking up a blowdryer to ur intake or something is equivalent to the turbonator LMAO..these things may work but i read some stuffs about it. i think the tornado chokes up ur engine a bit so it uses less gas but it wont give any performance.

o yea another mod that ya should look into is a grounding kit. i'm gonna do that mod eventually(when i get the balls to or if some1 helps me xD) having a grounding kit improves throttle response and supposedly gives a slight increase in hp(according to the butt dyno xD) and gas mileage xD

with our car, theres only so much u can do wit it unless u go FI which u wouldnt want to do cause it eats up gas and burns oil like nothing xD