PrinceValorum
Member
- :
- 95 626 FS, 89 Toyota Derux 4x4
Wow, thanks for the offer! Really starting to believe in the Mazda Family.
On another topic, I was wondering. For custom gear ratios (say combining a set of gears from compatible transmissions with different ratios), would it have a better effect on mpg to have short acceleration gears (1-2-3) to get the car up to speed quickly, or have longer ratios to keep the revs lower.
I'm starting to think that I want to become an engineer. I can see this issue both ways. When i was playing around with the temp sensor in my Miata, I noticed that under hood temps increased more depending on throttle position/load than rpms, so I'm [completely] guessing that fuel consumption reacts in a similar manner. My buddy and I have talked about it a little, as he's learned from guys he knows reporting their observed mpg in their trucks. And contrary to what is common sense, sometimes the bigger engines get better mileage (I'm unsure about gearing differences), because they are under less stress. A four cylinder engine in a 3/4 ton truck with a huge cab, long bed, and 4x4 is always going to be straining, especially if there's any extra weight added in. The bigger engine can end up getting better mileage because I think it powers the truck more efficiently (engine under less load).
The point of all this is I was wondering about a custom collection of gears for my [hopeful] KL swap. I know on 626.net, a lot of the guys with the KL report the same mileage that I'm getting with my FS, which is high 20's around town and low-mid 30's on the highway. The Probes on the other hand get like 22 best case, doesn't matter if you flog it or drive like grandma going to the grocery.
The Probes have shorter/more aggressive gearing, which I think would allow the engine to get the car up to speed quicker, with less load on the engine, but at the cost of higher revs. I'm wondering how much of it boils down to the fact that Probeowners think they have a "sports car." The bit that goes against that is that they said they get that mileage regardless of driving style.
Can anyone shed some light on this? I'd like to get the best of both worlds, with the short gearing for the bottom gears, yet taller at the top, to save some gas for the few times that I do go on the highway.
On another topic, I was wondering. For custom gear ratios (say combining a set of gears from compatible transmissions with different ratios), would it have a better effect on mpg to have short acceleration gears (1-2-3) to get the car up to speed quickly, or have longer ratios to keep the revs lower.
I'm starting to think that I want to become an engineer. I can see this issue both ways. When i was playing around with the temp sensor in my Miata, I noticed that under hood temps increased more depending on throttle position/load than rpms, so I'm [completely] guessing that fuel consumption reacts in a similar manner. My buddy and I have talked about it a little, as he's learned from guys he knows reporting their observed mpg in their trucks. And contrary to what is common sense, sometimes the bigger engines get better mileage (I'm unsure about gearing differences), because they are under less stress. A four cylinder engine in a 3/4 ton truck with a huge cab, long bed, and 4x4 is always going to be straining, especially if there's any extra weight added in. The bigger engine can end up getting better mileage because I think it powers the truck more efficiently (engine under less load).
The point of all this is I was wondering about a custom collection of gears for my [hopeful] KL swap. I know on 626.net, a lot of the guys with the KL report the same mileage that I'm getting with my FS, which is high 20's around town and low-mid 30's on the highway. The Probes on the other hand get like 22 best case, doesn't matter if you flog it or drive like grandma going to the grocery.
The Probes have shorter/more aggressive gearing, which I think would allow the engine to get the car up to speed quicker, with less load on the engine, but at the cost of higher revs. I'm wondering how much of it boils down to the fact that Probeowners think they have a "sports car." The bit that goes against that is that they said they get that mileage regardless of driving style.
Can anyone shed some light on this? I'd like to get the best of both worlds, with the short gearing for the bottom gears, yet taller at the top, to save some gas for the few times that I do go on the highway.