Here’s the setup thus far. And here is really what I have been achieving and the story behind it.
So as most of you know, I got introduced to the ZX2 a long time ago, it was my first seriously nice car that I loved. I kept it stock, found this site and started modding it soon after. I wanted nothing but performance no matter what it took. Only 2 years after that I was introduced to the world of sport bikes.
As soon as I got into sport bikes I ended up modifying my bike more, spending more on the bikes I have and stopped modding the ZX2, it turned into my daily once again after I had started modding it.
Now I look back and realize I still love my ZX2 but now that my driving habits have calmed down (after 4 tickets, somehow getting off on all but 1 of them which was a “unlawful use of studded tires in july”) i realized something. THESE CARS GET INSANE MILEAGE!
I had only modified the intake at first with a K&N filter. I picked up MAYBE 1 or 2 mpg… i was averaging about 36mpg, somewhere around that from my calculations. Soon after I did the resonator mod but instead of using the PVC pipe I used actual muffler tubing which was a bit lighter, sounded better and was easier to get installed, works great, improved more and now I have a bit more engine room in the whole hood department.
Then I stripped the trunk, however, added stereo equipment. Because I knew I would want less weight and that there is no point in removing weight only to add it I made the box setup small, light and not a permanent setup, with 2 wires and a bit of oomph the box comes out and the stereo will play the same without it except for the bass. So in this case if I don’t need it, don’t want it or don’t feel like it, the box along with the sub in it can be removed for extra weight along with the trunk being empty as well so less weight. Also done was a UDP to replace the stock pulley, weight reduction there as well as well as some more hp.
Currently with the intake, some weight reduction and the UDP and driving it nicely I have managed a MAXIMUM of 42mpg. This does not include removing the old mesh I had put on it as well as the a/c removal I am going to do soon.
So basically I’m looking into mods for this car still but ONLY if they fit the following criteria:
Rule 1: Must improve gas mileage
Rule 2: Should remove some weight if possible, only if it is not necessary to operate the car
Rule 3: Must not hinder the operability of the car, nor the convenience of driving the car
Rule 4: Must improve longevity of the car, whether it be maintenance, engine, or reliability related.
If it hinders any of those or improves power but hinders mileage, I won’t be doing it. So I’m basically turning it into a well performing car in some areas as long as it helps mileage, power, the longterm operation of the car and helps maintenance.
So some of the things I am looking into are:
- More weight reduction (a/c removal, lighter stereo deck because the stock one is heavy, uneccessary brackets, metal pieces, etc… cross drilled rotors should provide SOME weight reduction, wheels, etc and possibly a fuel cell as they are generally lighter and some can hold just as much gas)
- More power (would like to get a tuning ONLY if it does not cause the vehicle to be required to pump higher octane, perhaps header and exhaust only if it does not decrease low end torque and mid range torque as those are the main areas that are crucial for mileage)
- More efficient aerodynamics! The ZX2 is somewhere between a .33 and a .35 on the scale I believe. I did hinder that with my mesh, which will be removed. And I will be looking into different things that may improve this and decrease any sort of drag… mirrors, facia, under the car (that is a project under the works and in progress…)
So… basically… unlike some who want max power, I just want max MILEAGE, reliability and longevity. So as the car progresses I’ll let you all know how it goes.
Now here are some interesting things to ponder…
What is the co-efficient of drag DIFFERENCE on the stock facia, and the 03 facia? Would the co-efficient of drag decrease much if at all if the mirrors were replaced with more aerodynamic mirrors? Lamborghini has aerodynamic cars from the body, to the facia, to the spoiler and UNDER the car, thats right, the underside of the car is nearly perfectly smooth… HOW can WE improve this on OUR cars in mimicking this?