[scj]

Considering getting the magnaflow and intake simply for MPG purposes (I usually drive like an old woman unless I'm merging) so extra HP really won't benefit me.

I whipped up a spreadsheet that lets you play with your own MPG range, a projected increase in MPG and cost of gas to allow you to figure out how much you're going to pay for gas over the next 30k miles with and without mods.

http://ruserios.org/modcba.xls

I'm looking for specific input from owners of these mods. How much MPG increase did you see from each? For the owners of both, how about you? What is your driving style? I'd like to save money on gas if I can, so presuming I'm going to be driving this for a while, it would be nice to know if the long-term savings are worth it.

Thanks!

Also, as always, run a virus scan on any downloads if you're unsure of what may be in them. If you don't want to download it, DON'T! It's as simple as that. You don't need to play with the spreadsheet to benefit from this thread.

 

[drjram02]

benfit of exhaust

I just put my magnaflow cat-back on last week and there is a huge improvement! i live in colorado where there is a lot of steep inclines that i have to drive 120 miles roundtrip everyday. before i eas averaging anywhere between 19 - 20.8 mpg per tank. now, i am @ 24- 25 mpg. now granted it depends greatly on your driving habits. if i really get on it i will get a whopping 16-17. but, i reset my evic on a flat 5 mile stretch and it says i was getting 30.2 @ 57 mph. in short, it is very worth it if you can control your right foot. by the way very easy to install.

 

[heavychevy]

Considering getting the magnaflow and intake simply for MPG purposes (I usually drive like an old woman unless I'm merging) so extra HP really won't benefit me.

I whipped up a spreadsheet that lets you play with your own MPG range, a projected increase in MPG and cost of gas to allow you to figure out how much you're going to pay for gas over the next 30k miles with and without mods.

http://ruserios.org/modcba.xls

I'm looking for specific input from owners of these mods. How much MPG increase did you see from each? For the owners of both, how about you? What is your driving style? I'd like to save money on gas if I can, so presuming I'm going to be driving this for a while, it would be nice to know if the long-term savings are worth it.

Thanks!

Also, as always, run a virus scan on any downloads if you're unsure of what may be in them. If you don't want to download it, DON'T! It's as simple as that. You don't need to play with the spreadsheet to benefit from this thread.

I live on pretty flat ground at almost sea level and I've install more cold air kit's and cat back exhaust than I can keep count on. In most cases those people that buy them actually change their driving habits after this stuff is installed and get less MPG than before. Simply becuase they feel the need to feel the "Newfound" power. Any time you can cause an engine to breath more freely it will make it more efficiant but don't expect what the manafactuer claims in MPG or horsepower. People who look for more power find some because they drive the wee out of their car after the install and in their mind justify the money they spent on the mod by holding it a little tighter a little longer. Those looking for more MPG tend to drive just a little more on the egg shells. Nobody wants to think they wasted their money. In most cases it will give you good results either way you go. It makes the engine more efficant and thats what it's all about. Is it worth it? In the cool factor, mpg and power I say yes. If you are looking for a drastic change in fuel economy it isn't going to be there. Your driving habits make the most differance and it's free. Just being realistic, JW

 

[HighVoltageNITRO]

I completely agree with HeavyChevy. I originally put on a K&N CAI and my mileage tanked (dropped to about 15 mpg), but it ran good. Now I have a K&N drop-in and I can report that my Nitro does spin up much faster than stock, but even when driven on "eggshells" the mpg is not significantly different than stock. I am still getting around 17 mpg city with my R/T.

 

[scj]

mind over matter, huh?

My driving habits are already pretty light. I just checked my mileage and it was 19.25 for what would be considered all-city driving (lots of back roads with plenty of downshifting, stops and traffic). Of course, this is with a 6-speed SXT with the only option of 4wd

I'm just thinking I more and more that it's not worth it unless gas prices skyrocket. Additionally, there is a good chance once I finish grad school I'll wind up taking a job in Philadelphia, so I'll probably sell this car for something smaller.... so I may only put 20k miles on it. Someone will get a helluva deal if I do sell it because it's going to be in great mechanical condition.

I dunno, I just whipped up the spreadsheet out of an idea and time on my hands. Maybe one of you will find it useful

-G

 

[NTroGN]

smaller car?

~30 days ago I traded in our '97 Ford Taurus. The Taurus was nearly 20" longer from bumper-to-bumper than my SLT 4x4.

My current other car is an '02 Chevy Malibu. The Malibu is ~ 12" longer from bumper-to-bumper than the Nitro SLT 4x4.

Just an FYI. The Nitros are wayyy smaller than they feel when you drive them or even just looking at them. They turn like a dream (better than either the old Taurus or the Malibu).

- NTroGN

 

[FranknBeans]

great speadsheet. I was just thinking about this the other day.

 

[davidryder]

Interesting... so I still haven't figured out if adding a performance intake/exhaust has the potential to increase MPG. I went from a 99 corolla to an '07 Nitro

BUT - MPG went from like 31 to 18.

It didn't matter how I drove the 5-speed Corolla. I got ~31 mixed MPG. The Nitro however it really matters how I drive it. I MIGHT be able to get 22 MPG with very conservative driving. Now, if I do decide to add a performance intake/exhaust with conservative driving may I see an increase in MPG? Even if it's 2+ MPG it would be worth it to me.

 

[scj]

great speadsheet. I was just thinking about this the other day.

Thanks! It's what I do (and will be doing for the rest of my life) so it was just a fun 10 minute project for me to help plan out mpg.

Interesting... so I still haven't figured out if adding a performance intake/exhaust has the potential to increase MPG. I went from a 99 corolla to an '07 Nitro

BUT - MPG went from like 31 to 18.

It didn't matter how I drove the 5-speed Corolla. I got ~31 mixed MPG. The Nitro however it really matters how I drive it. I MIGHT be able to get 22 MPG with very conservative driving. Now, if I do decide to add a performance intake/exhaust with conservative driving may I see an increase in MPG? Even if it's 2+ MPG it would be worth it to me.

Well, if I drive back roads (which is, for all intents and purposes, city driving) I can get anywhere from 18-20mpg. If I throw some highway driving in there, I'll get 21mpg. I could see getting 26+mpg if I did a highway road trip.

The spreadsheet shows that if you get a few mpg higher, you'd only see significant gains with aggressive driving, and you would not break even on the cost of the mods for at least 30k miles, probably more.