TR MPG Challenge

[Loren]

Welcome to the Tampa Racing MPG Challenge

This will be the third iteration of the TR MPG Challenge, it just keeps getting better. This time, we're adding an expiration date. Your awesome MPG record will only stand for 12 months, then it falls off of the list. This will keep the leader board from getting stagnant with names nobody has heard of.

The first version of the challenge was a simple list of best MPG achieved. But, it was inevitable that the small economy cars would dominate, and it was getting to where you needed almost 35 mpg just to get on the list. A lot of cars just can't do that!

So, here's the new game: The top 20 is now based on percentage improvement over EPA. Look your car up at fueleconomy.gov and use the HIGHWAY mpg figure for your car as it was originally equipped. We don't care how you've modded it, that's the MPG it got when it was new and that's what we're comparing to for better or worse.

RULES: Vehicles that are listed on the EPA website above only, no older vehicles, no motorcycles, no scooters, just passenger vehicles that are included there. Minimum 5 gallon fill-up required for accuracy!

The benefit of doing it this way is that anyone in any car can "play", AND have an equal chance of winning. It's all about having a well-maintained car and most importantly HOW YOU DRIVE IT.

To be included in the list, please post your info as follows:
Car Type: Year, Make, Model (and relevant mods if you want)
Miles on Car:
Gallons: To at least the tenth.
Miles: To the tenth if available.
MPG: To the hundredth
EPA: Highway figure using "New" EPA figures.
% Improved: MPG/EPA (minus 1) expressed as a percentage.

Go forth with a light foot, my friends, and set some records!

PS: This thread is intended for people who are interested in getting better fuel mileage for whatever reason (to save money, save the environment, conserve energy, or just to entertain themselves), it's not here for people who ARE NOT interested to make jokes. Any off-topic posts will be deleted without comment. (hint: Posting that your track car gets 80% less MPG than stock will be deleted.)

MPG Challenge Leader Board
(names link to the post with details on that entry)

01 SixCylinders ----------- 37.02 mpg / +54.25% (11/2010)
02 omgwtfbbq -------------- 29.12 mpg / +32.36% (08/2010)
03 Loren ------------------ 35.27 mpg / +25.98% (11/2010)
04 Topher ----------------- 35.50 mpg / +14.52% (10/2010)
05 Troux ------------------ 35.12 mpg / +13.29% (10/2010)

[Loren]

I've reset the previous MPG Challenge as stated in the first post. I think I got all of the verifiable entries from within the past 12 months (only 5!), but let me know if I missed any.

[rotarykidd]

i wish i could do this, but my spedo doesnt work. that site said that my car from the factory was 28 highway mpgs, i get 35+ average now...

[EfWorld]

im totaly out of this cause my car is a 1982 toyota. man.... i get over 500 to a tank to lol

[Loren]

im totaly out of this cause my car is a 1982 toyota. man.... i get over 500 to a tank to lol

If you can match it to a similar 1984 model that we can get EPA numbers from, I think we could bend a little.

[EfWorld]

they stop production of the starlet before that haa

[Loren]

they stop production of the starlet before that haa

Look again, my friend. There's a listing for a 1984 Starlet.

[SixCylinders]

City driving is killing my numbers lately. I've done over 600 miles on 2 incomplete (and therefore not measurable) tanks since my last numbers. Current estimates are around 25mpg. I also am hoping to FINALLY get around to replacing the O2 sensor since I found one cheap on ebay, that should make things easier.

[Loren]

Yeah, O2 sensor can make a big difference. I still haven't found time to take the Z4 out for an MPG run. Have to pick a day and plan a good route that will get me away from traffic and not be overly boring. The Z4 is REALLY bad with stop and go and idling. But, still, I've been getting 24-25 in typical city driving over the EPA's 18.

I want to see 40 on the back roads... at least 38!

[SixCylinders]

Your Z4 sounds just like my car in terms of mileage lol. I eventually hope I'll top at least 42 highway realistically, would be cool to get 55 going 55 and be able to really give Prius drivers the finger but that's probably never going to happen.

Almost forgot I was going to buy that stupid sensor today, I just bought a set of 3 1991 Nissan 300ZX wheels (which are really wide compared to my stock wheels) which I fully expect to lower my gas mileage but at least I might not spin tires as much. Money is getting pretty thin, might not have the budget for the sensor after I get done in the junkyard tomorrow.

[hyu]

Wait till I get my TDI mwhahah

[Loren]

Wait till I get my TDI mwhahah

Bring it on! But, remember, this challenge is about how much you improve over the EPA highway estimate, not just raw numbers. It's all in how you drive it.

[SixCylinders]

Best thing to do would be get a crown vic or something, chop the top, put a 4 banger in it with a stick, lower it, put itty bitty wheels with low rolling resistance tires, strip the interior down to just a single seat.

Easy 100%+ increase in fuel economy but why go through all that work to win a contest with no price? Hypermiling is more about being thrifty and having fun in the process (if you ask me).

[Loren]

Yeah, I certainly don't expect anyone do put a lot of time, effort or money into winning this challenge!

For me, it's more about the personal challenge. How much can I wring out of the car that I'm driving?

[SixCylinders]

Hey Loren I'm sorry I misinformed you about my car (and you put it in the spreadsheet as such)....it isn't missing just 400-500lbs. I had it weighed today and it weighted 2900lbs with me in it...that by itself is over 400lbs less than stock. I'm probably missing in the neighborhood of 550-600lbs...with all my tools still in it. I don't have any new gas mileage numbers but they are probably pretty crappy right now cause I've had to idle it in the scrapyard waiting to get weighed along with the usual rush hour driving in town