Howdy y'all. I just bought my rig, figuring I should be able to get towards 20mpg, but am getting about 15. I know that use of oxygenated fuels causes problems, but I'm also looking for other improvements. I've been shopping around, finding some different gadgets here and there, some of which are cheap, others rather spendy, and I am curious about all of them as I really want to make some improvements, but don't want to waste money that could be better spent on fuel itself.
1. the "Tornado." This little doodad installs inside the air inlet tube behind the air filter, and claims to improve power and economy by putting a "spin" on the air passing through it, thus "helping" the air flow as it goes through the bends and turns it travels through to get to the combustion chamber.
ROUGHLY $65
2. "magnetic fuel savers." These things are one of the cheaper items. They claim that the fuel molecules "clump" together in the gas tank, causing them to be less available to oxygen in the combustion chamber, and that they solve this by providing a magnet that you strap on over the fuel line, which breaks the molecules back apart as they pass through, improving economy and power that way.
ROUGHLY $20
3. rear air deflectors. These don't claim to improve mileage any, just keep the back window clean and provide a little downforce (some of them--others are merely a wing to divert air down is all--which is more what I'm looking for) but in theory, would also aid to break up the vacuum caused behind the vehicle as it passes through the air, thus inmproving mileage that way.
ROUGHLY $100
4. Jacobs electronics ignition systems. These claim to help in all areas--torque, power, and economy, and they claim the economy boosts to be up around 2 mpg, more or less, depending on the application. These are expensive systems, incorporating a new ignition control box, coil, wires, and sometimes some other related items. I'm wondering if maybe a person isn't just better off getting some of these general components seperately and saving a boatload of cash.
ROUGHLY $475 complete
5. K&N air filters. K&N claims that their filters flow more air, while providing better filtration and virtually unlimited re-uses by using a cotton gauze instead of paper. Simple enough.
ROUGHLY $35
6. computer chips. I know that some of you have already voiced preferences over WHOSE chip to use, but haven't said anything about the economical aspects of them. How have they done for mileage, not just power?
ROUGHLY $175
7. gears or larger tires. Everyone knows that a gear change can have a dramatic effect on fuel ecenomy, but the trouble becomes that the gears themselves aren't all that expensive, but having them professionally installed can cause some seriously high shop bills, taking forever to really provide a cash advantage. Tire sizes can be changed, but only to a certain point, as then clearance problems start to set in. I'm keeping this to mpg imrovement more than off-road ability, so I'll leave lift kits out of this.
ROUGHLY $325 for gears (uninstalled, for a 4x4)
ROUGHLY $550 for larger tires
8. supercharger kits. I'm sure these exist for the Explorer/Navajo 4.0, but haven't seen them myself (maybe I haven't looked hard enough). I know that a blower can be a ton of fun, with gobs of new power suddenly available, but they also improve efficiency overall, ultimately improving mileage, as long as you can keep your go pedal away from the floorboards, though I am unsure of exactly WHAT the mileage improvement would actually be in real world highway use.
ROUGHLY $2000, uninstalled
9. alignment and basic tune-up. This one's a "duh," but, it can be a major help to have a professional alignment and tune up done. A thorough inspection of the drivetrain by a competent mechanic can yield gas robbers such as worn plugs, fouled or malfunctioning sensors, or any number of other basic maintenance items. Tire air pressure can also be a factor, as keeping them properly aired up can make a healthy difference. I used to have a little economy car that I liked to run about 38 psi in the tires of, but with the Firestone situation, such a change could be extroardinarily dangerous.
$$$, ???, depending on needed repairs, changes, etc.
These are but some of the things that are out there. PLEASE feel free to comment on any of these modifications, as I believe a couple of them are bogus. Please also add any modifications that you have experience with. I don't think I'm the only one out here who wants to do something about the fuel economy of my Navajo. These are wonderful vehicles, and deserve to be capable of providing us with more economical operation.
Thanks all!!
Alan Ott, '94 Mazda Navajo LX 4x4 AT 4.0 2dr (did they even MAKE a 4dr?)
1. the "Tornado." This little doodad installs inside the air inlet tube behind the air filter, and claims to improve power and economy by putting a "spin" on the air passing through it, thus "helping" the air flow as it goes through the bends and turns it travels through to get to the combustion chamber.
ROUGHLY $65
2. "magnetic fuel savers." These things are one of the cheaper items. They claim that the fuel molecules "clump" together in the gas tank, causing them to be less available to oxygen in the combustion chamber, and that they solve this by providing a magnet that you strap on over the fuel line, which breaks the molecules back apart as they pass through, improving economy and power that way.
ROUGHLY $20
3. rear air deflectors. These don't claim to improve mileage any, just keep the back window clean and provide a little downforce (some of them--others are merely a wing to divert air down is all--which is more what I'm looking for) but in theory, would also aid to break up the vacuum caused behind the vehicle as it passes through the air, thus inmproving mileage that way.
ROUGHLY $100
4. Jacobs electronics ignition systems. These claim to help in all areas--torque, power, and economy, and they claim the economy boosts to be up around 2 mpg, more or less, depending on the application. These are expensive systems, incorporating a new ignition control box, coil, wires, and sometimes some other related items. I'm wondering if maybe a person isn't just better off getting some of these general components seperately and saving a boatload of cash.
ROUGHLY $475 complete
5. K&N air filters. K&N claims that their filters flow more air, while providing better filtration and virtually unlimited re-uses by using a cotton gauze instead of paper. Simple enough.
ROUGHLY $35
6. computer chips. I know that some of you have already voiced preferences over WHOSE chip to use, but haven't said anything about the economical aspects of them. How have they done for mileage, not just power?
ROUGHLY $175
7. gears or larger tires. Everyone knows that a gear change can have a dramatic effect on fuel ecenomy, but the trouble becomes that the gears themselves aren't all that expensive, but having them professionally installed can cause some seriously high shop bills, taking forever to really provide a cash advantage. Tire sizes can be changed, but only to a certain point, as then clearance problems start to set in. I'm keeping this to mpg imrovement more than off-road ability, so I'll leave lift kits out of this.
ROUGHLY $325 for gears (uninstalled, for a 4x4)
ROUGHLY $550 for larger tires
8. supercharger kits. I'm sure these exist for the Explorer/Navajo 4.0, but haven't seen them myself (maybe I haven't looked hard enough). I know that a blower can be a ton of fun, with gobs of new power suddenly available, but they also improve efficiency overall, ultimately improving mileage, as long as you can keep your go pedal away from the floorboards, though I am unsure of exactly WHAT the mileage improvement would actually be in real world highway use.
ROUGHLY $2000, uninstalled
9. alignment and basic tune-up. This one's a "duh," but, it can be a major help to have a professional alignment and tune up done. A thorough inspection of the drivetrain by a competent mechanic can yield gas robbers such as worn plugs, fouled or malfunctioning sensors, or any number of other basic maintenance items. Tire air pressure can also be a factor, as keeping them properly aired up can make a healthy difference. I used to have a little economy car that I liked to run about 38 psi in the tires of, but with the Firestone situation, such a change could be extroardinarily dangerous.
$$$, ???, depending on needed repairs, changes, etc.
These are but some of the things that are out there. PLEASE feel free to comment on any of these modifications, as I believe a couple of them are bogus. Please also add any modifications that you have experience with. I don't think I'm the only one out here who wants to do something about the fuel economy of my Navajo. These are wonderful vehicles, and deserve to be capable of providing us with more economical operation.
Thanks all!!
Alan Ott, '94 Mazda Navajo LX 4x4 AT 4.0 2dr (did they even MAKE a 4dr?)
