fuel milage, aerodynamics and top speed - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

philip1 · 04-03-2017, 11:48 AM

I have a slow by Camaro standards almost stock 1lt Camaro. I use this thing for commuting mostly (its my only car and I drive over 100 miles every day) I love the comfort and smooth ride (I do have afe pfadt springs, zl1 swaybars, an intake, SS mufflers and 20x10.5 wheels all around). I'm looking for subtle ways to make it cut through the air better without changing any of my current mods. the hope is twofold: one is better economy and two when I do play (at a track of course) more top end (I know there is a speed limiter at 120 or so but the soon to be tune will fix that). right now I'm focusing on number one (economy) I'm currently averaging with mostly highway driving right around 30mpg. I want more.
I have purchased the ZL1/ Z28 engine bay pan and will be installing that soon. but I don't know what to do next. a rear diffuser? a splitter extension? more covers for the belly?

sledgehammer · 04-03-2017, 01:00 PM

Do you have the ('14, '15) hood extractor? That helps reduce lift at speed. My guess is it also helps with drag by reducing pressure under the hood with the engine pan.

partlowr · 04-03-2017, 01:05 PM

I believe that some of those handheld tuners like Diablo Sport, Bullydog, etc. come with a couple different tunes(performance, economy, etc.) and one of them is for economy/increased MPG. You might lose some performance but what's nice about those handheld plug-in tuners is that with the push of a couple buttons you can go from an economy mode to a performance mode.

CamaroFred · 04-04-2017, 12:12 AM

Don't go all weird on us. 30MPG in a 3800 lb. brick is as about as good as you are going to get.

If you want more MPGs in everyday driving ditch the fat tires. That will mean less rolling resistance and easier to spool up than any aero in everyday driving.

A belly pan? Spending dollars to donuts.

STUNNAH · 04-04-2017, 01:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CamaroFred

Don't go all weird on us. 30MPG in a 3800 lb. brick is as about as good as you are going to get.

If you want more MPGs in everyday driving ditch the fat tires. That will mean less rolling resistance and easier to spool up than any aero in everyday driving.

A belly pan? Spending dollars to donuts.

+1...The only option I can think of that would impact your current mpg/cost is an E85 conversion, and it would increase your HP at WOT, but the cost of the conversion would take along time to recover...Maybe drive 5-10 slower and/or purchase a tuner that will allow you to disable the speed limiter and install an economy tune...If it's your only car you may not want to play with it to hard...

philip1 · 04-04-2017, 06:11 AM

Thanks for the input guys. I'm planning on a tune shortly since my factory warrantee has run out. as far as a 3800lb brick getting 30 mpg hey 2 or 3 more would be nice and if a tune can do that I'm game. To be honest having this much power and still turning 30mpg is amazing to me.

Junior · 04-04-2017, 06:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by philip1

my factory warrantee has run out.

It has? You put 100,000 miles on it in 2 years?

philip1 · 04-04-2017, 08:07 AM

I thought gm was 5/50... hmmm.... oh well.... I bought it used with some balance on it I never bothered to check how much.
by June my one year anniversary with the car I estimate it will have 65,000 miles on it

Junior · 04-04-2017, 08:40 AM

You can go to my.chevrolet.com and create an account using your VIN. If you have warranty left, it will show.

Billy10mm · 04-04-2017, 09:55 AM

Swap out rear gear for something smaller. Will put you at lower RPMs at highway speeds. Car will get off the line a little slower however. Alternatively, at your next tire change, move to a taller overall tire (same effect, will let the engine turn less RPM at the same speed).

For an instant 1 to 2 mpg improvement, bump air pressure up in your tires to 40 PSI. Less rolling resistance. If you're already at 36ish, you won't see much of a difference, but if you're closer to 30 PSI now, you'll see a pretty substantial difference including increased tread life, reduced tram-lining, improved stability under threshold braking, and better protection against potholes.

DonM · 04-04-2017, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by philip1

I thought gm was 5/50... hmmm.... oh well.... I bought it used with some balance on it I never bothered to check how much.
by June my one year anniversary with the car I estimate it will have 65,000 miles on it

If you have the V6 or L99 engine, you should seriously consider getting an intake valve cleaning. I've heard a bunch of guys on the forum say their MPG improved a decent number after getting it done.

I'm doing mine when the weather gets & stays warmer (52,000 mi)

philip1 · 04-04-2017, 05:13 PM

51psi in each tire, light foot and fresh low ethanol fuel = 32.4 mpg. i do drive the speed limit on the road. I'm saving gas so I can afford to spend it racing on the weekend.

SlingShot · 04-04-2017, 05:34 PM

Seems to me if you are counting pennies, you are in over your head.

Rock-It Man · 04-04-2017, 07:37 PM

If you want more top end acceleration, get rid of those 20x10.5 bricks you call wheels.

04-03-2017, 11:48 AM	#1
philip1 Nutcase Drives: "Black Beauty" 2015 1lt in black Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: NC Posts: 50	fuel milage, aerodynamics and top speed I have a slow by Camaro standards almost stock 1lt Camaro. I use this thing for commuting mostly (its my only car and I drive over 100 miles every day) I love the comfort and smooth ride (I do have afe pfadt springs, zl1 swaybars, an intake, SS mufflers and 20x10.5 wheels all around). I'm looking for subtle ways to make it cut through the air better without changing any of my current mods. the hope is twofold: one is better economy and two when I do play (at a track of course) more top end (I know there is a speed limiter at 120 or so but the soon to be tune will fix that). right now I'm focusing on number one (economy) I'm currently averaging with mostly highway driving right around 30mpg. I want more. I have purchased the ZL1/ Z28 engine bay pan and will be installing that soon. but I don't know what to do next. a rear diffuser? a splitter extension? more covers for the belly?

04-03-2017, 01:05 PM	#3
partlowr Drives: 2011 2SS/RS Convertible Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Naperville, IL Posts: 256	I believe that some of those handheld tuners like Diablo Sport, Bullydog, etc. come with a couple different tunes(performance, economy, etc.) and one of them is for economy/increased MPG. You might lose some performance but what's nice about those handheld plug-in tuners is that with the push of a couple buttons you can go from an economy mode to a performance mode. __________________ Richard Partlow

04-04-2017, 12:12 AM	#4
CamaroFred Drives: Miss Con Ception Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Chicagoland Posts: 2,998	Don't go all weird on us. 30MPG in a 3800 lb. brick is as about as good as you are going to get. If you want more MPGs in everyday driving ditch the fat tires. That will mean less rolling resistance and easier to spool up than any aero in everyday driving. A belly pan? Spending dollars to donuts. __________________ 2011 1SS/RS LS3 CGM

04-04-2017, 09:55 AM	#10
Billy10mm Drives: 2014 Camaro 2SS 1LE NPP Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Hartsdale, NY Posts: 1,433	Swap out rear gear for something smaller. Will put you at lower RPMs at highway speeds. Car will get off the line a little slower however. Alternatively, at your next tire change, move to a taller overall tire (same effect, will let the engine turn less RPM at the same speed). For an instant 1 to 2 mpg improvement, bump air pressure up in your tires to 40 PSI. Less rolling resistance. If you're already at 36ish, you won't see much of a difference, but if you're closer to 30 PSI now, you'll see a pretty substantial difference including increased tread life, reduced tram-lining, improved stability under threshold braking, and better protection against potholes. __________________ My thoughts on some things: Driving Nannies: If I'm that far out of shape on the street, something has gone terribly wrong and by all means Mr. Computer man, come and get me. G2s: Rock throwing is like like a tramp stamp; although problematic, it's a sign of good things to come.

04-04-2017, 05:34 PM	#13
SlingShot Drives: 2012 ZL1 - #670 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Seminole, Fl. Posts: 8,009	Seems to me if you are counting pennies, you are in over your head. __________________

04-03-2017, 01:00 PM	#2
sledgehammer Drives: 2014 Convertible LS3 Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Woodside, NY Posts: 41	Do you have the ('14, '15) hood extractor? That helps reduce lift at speed. My guess is it also helps with drag by reducing pressure under the hood with the engine pan.

04-04-2017, 06:11 AM	#6
philip1 Nutcase Drives: "Black Beauty" 2015 1lt in black Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: NC Posts: 50	Thanks for the input guys. I'm planning on a tune shortly since my factory warrantee has run out. as far as a 3800lb brick getting 30 mpg hey 2 or 3 more would be nice and if a tune can do that I'm game. To be honest having this much power and still turning 30mpg is amazing to me.

04-04-2017, 08:07 AM	#8
philip1 Nutcase Drives: "Black Beauty" 2015 1lt in black Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: NC Posts: 50	I thought gm was 5/50... hmmm.... oh well.... I bought it used with some balance on it I never bothered to check how much. by June my one year anniversary with the car I estimate it will have 65,000 miles on it

04-04-2017, 08:40 AM	#9
Junior Drives: 2014 2SS/RS A6 AGM Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Maryland Posts: 526	You can go to my.chevrolet.com and create an account using your VIN. If you have warranty left, it will show.

04-04-2017, 05:13 PM	#12
philip1 Nutcase Drives: "Black Beauty" 2015 1lt in black Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: NC Posts: 50	51psi in each tire, light foot and fresh low ethanol fuel = 32.4 mpg. i do drive the speed limit on the road. I'm saving gas so I can afford to spend it racing on the weekend.

04-04-2017, 07:37 PM	#14
Rock-It Man 376 cubic inches of fun Drives: 2023 Camaro ZL1 A10 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: MA Posts: 4,043 View My Garage	If you want more top end acceleration, get rid of those 20x10.5 bricks you call wheels.