Save Gas & Kick Ass
With the right bolt-on performance parts, you can do both!
Ever since the oil embargos of the 1970s, the face of automotive fuel savings came in the form of the gutless econo-box. Long on mileage, these vehicles were short on style and even shorter on performance. The rule of thumb-if you wanna save gas, forget about performance. With fuel pushing a dollar a gallon at the time, folks lost interest in performance, the muscle car died and the roads clogged with snail-paced fuel sippers.
Today, we find ourselves back in the same situation; gas prices are up and performance is down—or is it? Powerplant technology has come a long way since the 70s, in fact, many of the 4-bangers buzzing the streets today boast more horsepower than a mid-eighties V8-equipped Corvette and get twice the mileage. Now that's progress.
No matter what you're driving today, fuel costs are on your mind. But, with new technology there's no need to sacrifice performance for the sake of sipping fuel. Basically, the engine efficiency you need to conserve fuel is the same efficiency you need to let the ponies run wild. Best yet, efficient engines last longer, too. All it takes are a few well-placed engine mods and knowing when to feather the pedal or drop the hammer.
Let's start with air flow to help engines breathe more easily. Installing a non-restrictive
air filter or
air intake is one of the most common and easiest ways to boost engine performance and gas mileage. Once you get the air flowing better, make sure it gets out with the aid of a high-performance exhaust system with a superior quality
exhaust manifold. A high-flowing with desired tone aftermarket
muffler helps, but for the full effect, check out a complete
cat back dual exhaust system.
The next biggest bang for your hard earned buck is a
performance chip or
diablosport trinity power programmer. These powerful suckers actually reprogram your ride's onboard computer, and most of all let you choose a fuel saving or performance tune. Some manufactures even make power programmers specifically designed to save fuel, like the new
Bully Dog WatchDog Fuel Economy Monitor.
Your car, truck or suv's fuel system can also be tuned for better performance. The
fuel filter and a
fuel lines should be checked periodically to make sure that the
fuel pump doesn't have to over work to deliver power to the
fuel injectors. A straining pump is bad for efficiency and certainly won't last long.
Lastly, we have to consider external factors like drag and friction factors. An accurate
tire gauge is an important part of any gas saving or performance endeavor. Not only do properly inflated tires deliver better gas mileage, they will perform much better and will last longer. Another way to defeat drag, if you drive a truck, is the addition of
truck bed covers or
tailgate nets. This way, turbulent air is smoothed over the bed as you drive your way to improved mileage.
When it comes to DIY improved vehicle performance, saving gas and buckling down on the blacktop surface often come in the same package. Unfortunately, few of us have figured out how to do both at the same time, so until that day comes, keep your foot out of it when you wanna save gas... easing off the lead foot routine, and mash the pedal when you wanna get a leg up over the next guy's ride!
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