gas mileage and power

[exdeath]

Picked up a stock '03 Cobra coupe, been wanting to sell the convertible and get a coupe and transfer all my after market parts for the longest time.

The coupe is perfect condition, absolutely factory stock, with 37k miles, oil is clear, etc. 390 HP/ 390 TQ from a 32v DOHC supercharged 4.6L V8, stock curb weight is 3,665 lbs.

So just been driving it stock for a bit to get some baseline numbers and make sure everything is in good condition before I go mod crazy again (shooting for 800+ RWHP 800+ RWTQ this time, maybe the first 1000 RWHP Cobra on a twin screw depending if I get really bored, no pun intended)

I normally drive 90% highway, 10% city, but lately with construction going on to widen the freeway at I-10 and I-19, there is like 10 miles of ramps that have been closed so its been more like 50/50 highway/city lately.

Just topped off the tank with 13 gallons* and recorded 300 miles on the trip meter since the last top off, in other words about 23 mpg. Thats with getting on it good and ripping her loose at least once a day.

For the record my 2.2L 130 HP '95 Camry consistently gets only 30 mpg with the same conditions.

Gas guzzling V8s my ass...

It will only get better as the horsepower goes and the improved volumetric efficiency comes in to play even at effortless low speed cruising. I got up to 25 mpg in the convertible, but its also heavier and more drag.


*(usually don't let it go past 1/4 due to fuel pump lubrication and cooling)

 

[Aikouka]

I get ~27 in my Altima. I'd probably get more if the road I took to work wasn't so hilly. The car gets 270hp and 258ft-lbs of torque, which isn't too bad. I wonder how much the VQ35 can do with some forced induction.

 

[exdeath]

Originally posted by: Aikouka
I get ~27 in my Altima. I'd probably get more if the road I took to work wasn't so hilly. The car gets 270hp and 258ft-lbs of torque, which isn't too bad. I wonder how much the VQ35 can do with some forced induction.

Sounds about right. Our '06 Avalon gets about that (22/32 advertised), similar car with same displacement, same power, same weight, etc.

The Nissan VQ35 and Toyota 2GR-FE are badass. 8-9 psi (max on stock motor) make about 400 to the wheels and it won't change the mileage much if you keep your foot out of it. More so than a built high boost low compression engine, since you'll have higher static compression when not in boost still making efficient power down low.

I love all the new variable displacement stuff GM is trying to come up with... we've had variable displacement since the invention of forced induction!

 

[iamwiz82]

As long as you stay out of boost, for the most part, you shouldn't take much of a hit in gas mileage with forced induction.

 

[Aikouka]

Originally posted by: exdeath
Sounds about right. Our '06 Avalon gets about that (22/32 advertised), similar car with same displacement, same power, same weight, etc.

The Nissan VQ35 and Toyota 2GR-FE are badass. 8-9 psi (max on stock motor) make about 400 to the wheels and it won't change the mileage much if you keep your foot out of it. More so than a built high boost low compression engine, since you'll have higher static compression when not in boost still making efficient power down low.

I love all the new variable displacement stuff GM is trying to come up with... we've had variable displacement since the invention of forced induction!

Well, what made me a little surprised about the car's mileage is what I read about it prior to buying. I read a decent amount of "reviews" that reported the car getting around 22-23mpg. I sit here getting around 27 and just remember reading those reviews wondering how crappy these people drive. If the car's built-in mileage meter is accurate (or at least close), I get pretty darn good mileage in the city, because I let the car slow down naturally instead of accelerating until a stop and other various "techniques" to not accelerate where it really isn't necessary. Some times this can be helpful because by the time you reach the red light, you're still going maybe 15mph instead of being at the light stopped.

As much as forced induction sounds like fun, voiding my 7/100,000 warranty does not :laugh:. I kind of miss the sound of a turbo spooling.

 

[exdeath]

Originally posted by: Aikouka

Originally posted by: exdeath
Sounds about right. Our '06 Avalon gets about that (22/32 advertised), similar car with same displacement, same power, same weight, etc.

The Nissan VQ35 and Toyota 2GR-FE are badass. 8-9 psi (max on stock motor) make about 400 to the wheels and it won't change the mileage much if you keep your foot out of it. More so than a built high boost low compression engine, since you'll have higher static compression when not in boost still making efficient power down low.

I love all the new variable displacement stuff GM is trying to come up with... we've had variable displacement since the invention of forced induction!

Well, what made me a little surprised about the car's mileage is what I read about it prior to buying. I read a decent amount of "reviews" that reported the car getting around 22-23mpg. I sit here getting around 27 and just remember reading those reviews wondering how crappy these people drive. If the car's built-in mileage meter is accurate (or at least close), I get pretty darn good mileage in the city, because I let the car slow down naturally instead of accelerating until a stop and other various "techniques" to not accelerate where it really isn't necessary. Some times this can be helpful because by the time you reach the red light, you're still going maybe 15mph instead of being at the light stopped.

As much as forced induction sounds like fun, voiding my 7/100,000 warranty does not :laugh:. I kind of miss the sound of a turbo spooling.

Yeah I love people that tell me I'm not being 'green' with my 'gas guzzler' when they go 65 and wait to apply their brakes with 100 feet or less stopping room, then race off wide open at every green light... :roll:

With the Cobra I'm cruising in 6th gear turning 1100 RPM with my foot maybe 1/8th of an inch down on the pedal, and when I see a stop or congestion up ahead I start down shifting and coasting each gear to idle under fuel cut, 9 times out of 10 I don't even end up stopping. The best thing is if I need to get moving in a hurry again, I can still put myself back in the seat in 4th, 5th, and 6th, harder than they can in 1st, without much revs The car redlines around 7000, I rarely take it over 2000 just driving around.

Not sure what Nissan's in house tuner is, but Toyota's TRD bolt on supercharger kits put out 8-9 psi and are covered under warranty even if you self install them as long as you stay with the pulley in the kit.

 

[Aikouka]

Originally posted by: exdeath
Not sure what Nissan's in house tuner is

Nismo .

 

[exdeath]

Originally posted by: Aikouka

Originally posted by: exdeath
Not sure what Nissan's in house tuner is

Nismo .

I thought so, wasn't sure if that was a 3rd party or not though

 

[Skotty]

I'm confused. You want to turn your 390 HP Cobra into an 800 HP Cobra, but you drive it like Grandma for the mileage? Something is not right here. Either enjoy your Cobra and be one of "those" people, or buy a Prius and be one of "those" people. Either way, some people will love you, and others will hate you.

 

[overst33r]

Getting one of these? http://dagostinoracing.com/ind..._info&products_id=9405

or TT?

 

[exdeath]

Originally posted by: Skotty
I'm confused. You want to turn your 390 HP Cobra into an 800 HP Cobra, but you drive it like Grandma for the mileage? Something is not right here. Either enjoy your Cobra and be one of "those" people, or buy a Prius and be one of "those" people. Either way, some people will love you, and others will hate you.

I don't drive it for the mileage on purpose. I just drive it how I drive it, even getting on it hard from time to time, and thats just what I get out of it, and thought I'd share, since people automatically think V8 = 2 mpg.

Having a high performance car doesn't mean you have to drive it into the ground and drive like an idiot

Now that I have a coupe though I will be seeing the track often once things start moving along. Special rules for 'verts require roll cages for faster than 13.99 which it will do stock...

 

[exdeath]

Originally posted by: mariok2006
Getting one of these? http://dagostinoracing.com/ind..._info&products_id=9405

or TT?

Haven't decided yet...

I've had my heart set on the KB 2.8H since I have a 2.4 on the 'vert, but something about dual blow offs in the Cobra's intake grill next to the snake and the big silver turbo air-air intercooler underneath is intoxicating, as is the sound of constant boost purging in the middle of a burnout.

:heart: