ZUKIWORLD Online | Suzuki 4x4 Editorial and Forum
ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Technical Discussion - Beginner / Repair => Topic started by: Spider6901 on December 14, 2009, 01:30:49 PM
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Hello All,
My name is John aka Spider, live in northern Utah and am what the military calls the FNG (NG stands for new guy). I just bought an 88 samurai bone stock rag top. It has 124K miles and very little rust, rocker panels are about gone. I bought this sammi because I love the looks and couldn't afford the gas bills for my 94 C1500 any more. I travel 88mi round trip to work and I have a real problem with maintaining 75 mph on the highway and am getting only 21 to 24 mpg, 24 mpg if I keep it around 55 mph. I spent about 3 days reading thru all the tech posts on Zukiworld and Zukikrawler and figured that timing, vacuum and idle speed were pretty critical on these little engines. I finally got it set at 10 Deg BTDC and 800 rpm at idle. I found no vacuum leaks using the carb spray method. New AC rapid fire plugs gaped at .030, new wires, cap, and rotor. Not a noticeable difference so I'm look for some bolt on's that will help out in both MPG and power. Once temps get out of the single digits I will go out and do a compression test. I'm an aircraft mechanic so know my way around a tool box but only have a compresser and an open driveway to work in. An engine swap or welding up a new exhaust is beyond my capabilities but other than than that I can do it. Any help would be great.
I have also been looking thru Google for a place to get parts and have found very little. Help here would also be great.
Spider
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I have a chevy metro with the suzuki 1.0 liter engine. 48mpg. One of the biggest improvements I did was install a 3tech 10 degree cam gear and max out the ignition timming and fully inflating my tires. Wished I knew more to help with your jeep. If you just want fuel economy look for a metro xfior first generation insight.
My new project is a 95 sidekick, my car is the 99 metro and 2010 insight. The sidekick gets 30mpg my insight is best 79 worse 44mpg, it really depends on how you drive it.
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Thanks for the info.
Spider
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Spider, are you looking for fuel economy or power? Its hard to get both as one effects the other. I know many truck owners who just drive back n forth to work are changing the final drive to a higher ratioa 2 to 1 vs 4 to 1 so the engine runs at a lower rpms. This removes some towing n hauling capacity.
Another idea in the colder weather is to block the grill if you can monitor the water temperature. Accelerate slowly and try to stay within the speed limits.