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Tuesday, 19 June 2007 |
As we all know, the majority of gas saving devices that we can find end up being scams. This is a bad thing, but it shouldn't get you discouraged. There are some things that will save you gas, and I have decided to explain and list some of them here, and will perhaps explain more in-depth with pictures as I actually perform some of the modifications myself. I hate going on and on, so let's get to the fun part:
First and foremost, stop stomping the accelerator! Get your foot out of the floor! More conservative driving practices will save gas, an are the easiest method to get higher milage. But you probably knew that...Did you know about the device pictured below?
The cheapest and easiest solution is to build (or buy...I will put a tutorial up eventually) a PCV jar. You need to make sure your engine has an external PCV system. If it does (as most modern vehicles do) you can increase MPG anywhere from 5-10%. Some people have gotten a 5 mpg gain, which may not sound like a lot, but it is well worth it. These jars work by pulling oils and burnable fuel from the engine, which are usually wasted. Using a catalyst, it recirculates the burnable fuel vapors back into the engine's combustion chamber. One (expensive) PCV jar for sale is called the Condensator...I plan on building and installing my own, and posting the progress and results here. Be looking out for that!
Boric acid + Acetone added every time you fill up. BE CAREFUL you can actually decrease the gas milage if you aren't careful. Start out with 1-2 oz of acetone per 10gal of gas, not exceeding 3oz which appears to be optimum for many vehicles. To mix, you should take 5gal of hopefully warm gas (let it sit in the sun a few minutes) and first add the acetone (do not forget that this is only half of 10, so if you put the other 5 gal into your vehicle, and do this for every 10gal). Then, take your boric acid and add it to the gas/acetone mix. This creates a suspension, where the boric acid particles are floating around in the gas. Keep adding until the gas won't suspend anymore acid, or just put in an amount that doesn't make you nervous (and just work your way up). The reasoning behind these substances is that the acetone makes gas burn hotter, and more efficient, and the boric acid lubricates things in the engine very well, adding efficiency. Some people even add boric acid to their oil, transmission, ball joints, power steering, and more! Best of all, both substances are realtively cheap.
Supercarburetors (not for fuel injected engines, older vehicles only) refer to carburetors that vaporize the fuel molecules, increasing the amount of liquid fuel that actually burns. The classic example of one such carburetor is the Pouge, which supposedly got 200 mpg. Readers should note it was 200 mpg with the car running badly at no more than 30 miles per hour. When properly tuned, milage and performance should have both been increased.
A more modern example would be the Fish Carburetor. It was used in both consumer and racing applications, and was mass produced, and eventually suppressed by the US Government (returned orders with "FRAUDULENT" stamped on them, claiming no carbs were made), who was at the time in the pockets of big oil. Originally, it was produced in the 1950's, and the company changed hands many times. The company started up back in the 80's, and died again in 1994. The rights to the company and molds are now owned by an individual who still makes these on occasion. These carburetors claimed a 20% increase in economy, and a 30% increase in horsepower. The best place to find these is eBay, as well as the MPG Research Forums, and a junkyard near you. These carbs are universal, and may require an adapter plate.
The other type of Supercarb is one that "cracks" or breaks gas molecules into smaller molecules. This essentially doubles the amount of gasoline you get from 1 gallon at the pump. The problem with today's gas is that it has additives that have been inserted for the sole purpose of clogging these supercarburetors, which use catalysts to do the cracking.
Finally, there are other methods that are a little bit "out there." You could try putting hard drive magnets on the fuel line (rubber lines only, south poles facing line only), or buy a special additive. If you have the money, get your engine ported, and get PowreLinez and PowreGrooves, each of which supposedly increase fuel economy. I don't suggest it, but you could try water injection, provided you know what you are doing, which would work, but may rust your engine internally. Finally, there is the ozone generator, which is also supposed to increase economy by adding chemically unstable O3 to the combustion. Whatever you try, be careful, because I gurantee nothing, and am not responsible if you blow yourself or your engine into oblivion.
Resources:
Fuel Economy Tips
MPG Research Forums
Acetone as A Fuel Additive
Himac Research and Information on Suppressed Tech
DIY Magnet Use
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