Trying to achieve 100 MPG

[Cyberdemon]

I'm not sure what that Opel had the record for. I know my old professor had designed and set the record in the late 80's in the 100+ mpg range.

http://www.100mpgplus.com/articles/magazine/guinness_world_record.html

Apparently they just rebuilt it with a new engine (it's gone through a handful of swaps) but the original engine was set on an old VW Rabbit Diesel engine. The newer 3 cylinder is smaller. The key to getting that last 40+mpg is going to be aerodynamics. The Festiva is as aerodynamic as a brick, and duct taping the panel gaps isn't reducing drag.

The aero aspect is really where the fuel economy gets boosted. Just look at the Aptera concept. After a certain point ALL of that power is being used to move air, not the car itself.

[Evan80]

You should just save up your pennies for the LoReMo US launch if it does well in Europe.. must better looking than the aptera and 100+ average fuel economy on a little diesel engine.

[TRUCKtiva]

Hate to be a downer, but... like it has been said before your car will have to be WAY more aerodynamicly efficient. duct taping up the front WILL help but you are talking .00something percent. I'm not saying don't do it, I'm just saying you wont get 100+ with festy. why don't you try hybrid?? electric rear drive for taking off and in town drving and front for highway driving.
body mods:http://www.evworld.com/article.cfm?storyid=870

[getnpsi]

I would love to leave the 1.3 in the front intact, and take a rearend out of a small car, maybe miata. Let an electric motor power just the rear wheels. Once the car is rolling shut down and let a 20hp electric motor drive the car. poor man's hybrid.
i also think a dohc engine is a better jumpoff point for extreme economy, because you can take advantage of changing overlap for a leaner burn. good luck finding the 1.3 dohc head.

[Cyberdemon]

I would love to leave the 1.3 in the front intact, and take a rearend out of a small car, maybe miata. Let an electric motor power just the rear wheels. Once the car is rolling shut down and let a 20hp electric motor drive the car. poor man's hybrid.
i also think a dohc engine is a better jumpoff point for extreme economy, because you can take advantage of changing overlap for a leaner burn. good luck finding the 1.3 dohc head.

Unfortunately at any real speed that wouldn't work...the car is still as aerodynamic as a brick and will need more than that amount of horsepower to punch through the air.

Ultimately regardless of what gas engine you're using, there is only so much energy efficiency you can get out of a gas powered engine. The remaining fuel economy HAS to come from weight reduction and reducing drag.

If you took a Festiva chassis, built a lightweight/slipstreamed fiberglass body around it, you'd be on your way. Unfortunately you'd have to basically scrap almost all of the sheet metal and do something tube framed to have the structure and not double the weight.

[rich-green]

100+ MPG Festiva Update

Just a quick update on the 100+ MPG Festiva. My partner and I have just acquired the alternators we are planing on using on this project, we also had a set of OEM size tires heavily discounted to us by Paducha Tire of Paducha Kentucky and they have a few more sets left if anyone is in need of tires. If you would like to follow this project more closely visit: h21o.com Thanks for all the criticism keep up the motivative posting I love it... rich-green

[Pu241]

Wow!!!!
So in 5 days short of 2 months you've managed to get alternators and tires!
Progress like that is nearly unheard of!
If it wasn't for the members in good standing making legitimate comment as to the potential of you reaching 100 MPG, and ways it might be approached, I'd have locked this thread.
Look forward to your next update in 2009.
Note: you can actually post an active link in your "updates".

[2002maniac]

Lol

[elcamino1]

100mpg in a Festiva?

[Gforcefd]

Wow Pu241 it is comments like that, that keep this community from growing. Maybe the owner of this thread was short on funds and couldn't get the tires and altenators till now? You never know a persons situation afterall. Maybe they had other factors that kept them from doing more in only 2 months? At least they were nice enough to give us a update and not just let another interesting thread dissapear. I just hope this person keeps posting as I personally would find it really amazing if he/she meets there goal. Not to mention the amount of potential information they could contribute to the festiva community.

Not everyone has unlimited funds to build cars as quickly as you would like. With repercussions like locking there threads just because you feel they are not WORTHY....

:-P
Logan

[Pu241]

Logan,

I'll deal with you and your smily face when I get back home!
For now, put what little metal capacity you have toward finding how you managed to buy a car that doesn't have a 5th gear!
Couldn't have happened to a nicer guy!
Given your ability, your best bet is to hire some one to do it for you!
Note: no smily face!

[FB71]

Easy, boys... I can move this thread to a special place, if need be.... but I'd rather you two play nice.

[rcottle]

I am very interested in this thread so let’s not upset rich-green. I agree with Logan and totally understand it took me months trying to get my festiva on the road. Between work, the kids football games, helping family, watching the occasional football game, finding parts for these cars, having to wait for nice days to work outside because the garage is full of other cars, parts, and tools. Any progress is good progress.

[Gforcefd]

Couldn't say it better rcottle :-P :-) :-( :-) :-P

Don't worry I will play nice.

[getnpsi]

I'm interested to see just 50, 60, and 70mpg milestones. If those are proven without coasting down a 10,000 foot mountain with the engine off that's enough to copy it.