Notices
350Z Roadster General discussion for the 350Z Roadster

Mods to Improve Mileage

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 06-04-2009, 06:25 AM
  #1  
TrumpetProf81
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
TrumpetProf81's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Terre Haute, IN
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Mods to Improve Mileage

I just bought a used 2004 350z roadster, and I'm wondering what is the most cost effective way to improve the mileage? I've heard that adding a cool air intake and a new exhaust system can boost mileage to around 20-25 mpg city. Any recommendations on what to purchase would be greatly appreciated. I'm not much of a gear head and don't have much knowledge on the subject. I love the car, and the thought of improving mileage and performance is something I would consider investing into.
Old 06-04-2009, 07:03 AM
  #2  
LVZ053
Registered User
iTrader: (2)
 
LVZ053's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Las Vegas
Posts: 206
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I say regular maintenance will be the best bet.
Oil change, spark plugs, new air filter, tire pressure.
Old 06-04-2009, 07:11 AM
  #3  
davidmcc
Registered User
iTrader: (5)
 
davidmcc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 517
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Best way to improve mileage is shifting early and having a light foot, smaller wheels and tires help too.
Old 06-04-2009, 07:22 AM
  #4  
kacz07
Registered User
iTrader: (15)
 
kacz07's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: NJ
Posts: 2,936
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 3 Posts
Default

intake, exhaust, high compression pistons...will pay you back in 25 years of driving
Old 06-04-2009, 07:24 AM
  #5  
Barnabas
National Z Club President
iTrader: (15)
 
Barnabas's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: the coolest place on earth
Posts: 9,952
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

I average 27MPG with intake Plenum spacer and exhaust.

Allot will depend on your driving habits though too...
Old 06-04-2009, 07:26 AM
  #6  
diablox1
Registered User
iTrader: (7)
 
diablox1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: CaliFTMFGDW OMFG LMFAO LOL WUT
Posts: 976
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

roll around town like this, you'll increase MPG dramatically

Old 06-04-2009, 07:31 AM
  #7  
MarvinMartian
Registered User
 
MarvinMartian's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Here.
Posts: 4,141
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Turbonator.

Also adds horsepower, too. My friend's girlfriend's sister's husband's second-cousin used it in his Mustang, and damn! He smoked a ZR-1!


No foolin'.
Old 06-04-2009, 07:38 AM
  #8  
Barnabas
National Z Club President
iTrader: (15)
 
Barnabas's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: the coolest place on earth
Posts: 9,952
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

on turbonator I forgot to mention my fiends honda runs 12's from just that nothing else.... Its true
Old 06-04-2009, 07:51 AM
  #9  
Tac-M
Registered User
iTrader: (17)
 
Tac-M's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: 127.0.0.1
Posts: 2,732
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

get a prius
Old 06-04-2009, 08:38 AM
  #10  
davidv
Registered User
iTrader: (2)
 
davidv's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 42,754
Likes: 0
Received 10 Likes on 10 Posts
Thumbs up

Originally Posted by davidmcc
Best way to improve mileage is shifting early and having a light foot, smaller wheels and tires help too.
Get the driver mod.
Old 06-04-2009, 09:02 AM
  #11  
CancerJCCz
Registered User
iTrader: (9)
 
CancerJCCz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Columbus, GA
Posts: 1,373
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Tac-M
get a prius
Ya seriously. I LOL when people are so worried about mileage. If you do the math (I know others have outlined this previously) it is ridiculous how little you save in the scheme of things.

<----Likes to drive his Z. *** mileage.

Last edited by CancerJCCz; 06-04-2009 at 09:05 AM.
Old 06-04-2009, 09:07 AM
  #12  
Entaille
New Member
iTrader: (16)
 
Entaille's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: WA
Posts: 9,043
Received 21 Likes on 16 Posts
Default

breathing mods hardly altar the mpg, sometimes they make it worse too, but they will all advertise they make it better.

your best bet is to drive conservatively , shift early, light on the gas.. but you bought a Z, why are you concerned with mileage? : )
Old 06-04-2009, 04:03 PM
  #13  
Manjot
Registered User
iTrader: (2)
 
Manjot's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: CA-FReMoNT
Posts: 2,020
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

Make sure your tires are properly inflated.
Old 06-04-2009, 06:43 PM
  #14  
johns350
Registered User
 
johns350's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Southlake, Texas
Posts: 398
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Just like many people stated - driving habits have the biggest impact. Light foot helps most.

Oh - I've read that keeping the top UP at highway speeds will help too. But for gods sake - you should be shot and forced to drive a 1974 Ford Pinto if you follow that option.

I believe I picked up about 1mpg when I installed my Nismo exhaust - love the sound, that was just a bonus. Not worth it on mpg alone.

Good Luck
Old 06-05-2009, 12:26 AM
  #15  
Phreakdout
Registered User
iTrader: (32)
 
Phreakdout's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
Posts: 2,115
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

As gas prices started to creep up, I was expecting this type of thread to rear its head.
Old 06-05-2009, 08:46 AM
  #16  
Blooster
New Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Blooster's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Broward County, FL
Posts: 1,177
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

If you do a lot of off-highway driving in traffic (like me) and don't always want to push hard (on occasion, I don't - like when it's raining) and enjoy shifting (like me), it's kind of fun to go through all the gears all the time really fast.

Shift speed recommendations for better mileage are lower than you'd probably expect:
Old 06-05-2009, 08:55 AM
  #17  
Done Deal DR
New Member
iTrader: (5)
 
Done Deal DR's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 5,777
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

^ LOL I think I've only shifted that low a few times in the 3+ years I've owned the car. Of course that's why I get 20MPG as well.
Old 06-05-2009, 08:57 AM
  #18  
JasonZ-YA
350Z-holic
iTrader: (60)
 
JasonZ-YA's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: San Antonio/I miss DFW, TX
Posts: 11,204
Likes: 0
Received 28 Likes on 19 Posts
Default

Post 2 and 3 are your best answers....especially for a guy just driving the Z too and from.........a non-enthusiast....so to speak like you say....

now, if you grow to be an enthusiast some of the after market items suggested would be also be slightly* beneficial since you would want it anyways.......but not solely to improve gas mileage..

oh and welcome to the forum..

-J
Old 06-05-2009, 09:09 AM
  #19  
sellin04
Registered User
iTrader: (4)
 
sellin04's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Missouri
Posts: 126
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

http://cgi.ebay.com/Fuel-Saver-Impro...3%3A1|294%3A50

try this and write a review.
Old 06-05-2009, 10:40 AM
  #20  
Flick Montana
New Member
 
Flick Montana's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Indiana
Posts: 9,743
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Default

I get up to 30 driving on the interstate. My old 4-banger Saturn didn't even get that kind of mileage. I think the Z has pretty remarkable MPG when you drive it easy. Shift up at 2500, ease on the acceleration, keep your tires at recommended PSI, keep your air filter clean.


Quick Reply: Mods to Improve Mileage



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 08:44 PM.