Maybe. For modifying a car I never see better mpgs as a goal

 

agreed...

im not sure how well the computer would respond to a restrictor plate...

 

That's what I was trying to figure out. I've pretty much come to expect that my Focus is slow, so instead of dropping in a turbo for $5k, I'll see what I can do about increasing the mpg figures. I've gotten 38mpg once while driving at 60mph to Orlando on the turnpike, but I haven't been able to duplicate this.

I'll be driving my car from Boston to FL, spending 95% of my time on the highway where all I'll need to do is maintain speed, which is where the restrictor plate would come into its own.

 

That's what I was trying to figure out. I've pretty much come to expect that my Focus is slow, so instead of dropping in a turbo for $5k.

i hate it when people think our cars are slow. have you ever thought that our cars were not built for stright lines un less your FI. our cars will out handle a SI. for the price tag brand new focusVScivic, i think we have the better end of the stick. next time you are on a curvy onramp push you car to the limit, or better yet pull up next to a civic on a onramp and show him what we are all about. the only thing that will help you get better gas mpg is prolly a tune . try that area.

 

I dont see how it would because essentially wouldn't it make it so the car has even less power so say you need to climb a hill your car may want to kill itself do to the restriction. I to look at mpgs when I mod lol. I know I'm not fast so I just have to think about both of those. I have gotten 32mpg at my best. Other things to consider on your car are when was the fuel filter replaced and getting rid of the shit box un-replaceable filter stuck into the front of your car.

 

Already have a Steeda SRI and TruBendz 2.5" catback, both helped with mpg figures.

I have replaced the fuel filter already, but I would imagine if the filter was dirty, it would actually lean out the mixture and increase the fuel pressure.

 

oh 1 more thing civic si 22 thou brand new. zx3 focus ses 15 thou brand new. now take the 5 gs buy a tubo kit and you will be untouchable

 

well if you put one, you need to have it before MAF sensor.
I wouldn't do that. Small plate won't do much and big plate will just restrict too much and car will stall and throw some check engine codes.
You have a better chance of getting better mpgs if you remove extra weight off the car, ex: take all your seats out, spare tire.

 

i don't think making it harder for the car to breathe would benefit mpg. Better off sticking to pulse and gliding/weight reduction/aero mods like wheel skirts and an airdam.

 

Just slam your car to the ground and replace all your body panels with carbon fiber. Lol but seriously if your getting above 30 mpgs that is fairly good. Remember temperature wind and road conditions are a factors in how you do mpg wise not to mention the quality of gas being put in. I tune may benefit you some mpgs but really there is only so much that can be done.

Also clean your sri when it starts to get really dirty looking if you haven't cleaned it for a while that can make a difference. I got 12-13mpgs in my ranger and changed the filter and start getting 17-20 after changing it. (it was not a fancy rinse and re-oil filter) I just cleaned my sri in my car and it help a little when I kept my foot off the floor board through the first 3 gears[hihi].

 

if you want MPG's the best solution ive heard from any test or anything is to use cruise control and stay behind big vehicles and stay around from 55mph to 65mph.

 

my 200bhp 2.3L gets 34 on the hwy.

any modification that increases power does so because it increases efficiency.

Increased efficiency increases gas mileage as long as you keep your foot out of it.

 

Increased efficiency increases gas mileage as long as you keep your foot out of it.

Which is the problem.

I don't think a restrictor plate would do anything buy make your car slower, and make your car's CPU go crazy. But I'm not sure

 

i think it would decrease efficiency and therefore MPGs

 

Instead of all the speculation....why not just try out the idea. You could easily rig up a temporary test setup with some sheet metal. Since you have a Steeda, you could experiment with the restrictor on either side of the MAFS easily.

Be sure to do a reset between the tests.....un-hook the battery for a while to let the computer relearn.

Will it give better MPGs....questionable, but since this test won't cost anything but time and a few tankfuls of gas, it might be worth the effort.

The other suggestions here.....nuts. Drive around with no seats and no spare, or spend $400 for a tune that probably won't give a 1/2 mpg increase......just crazy.

 

bluefront, I'm going to try this test this weekend and see what happens. I'll keep everyone informed on my results.

 

i think it would slow you down and make mpg worse
think of it as a cloged air filter

 

Well using the restrictor plate would need to be used in conjunction with smooth, efficient driving, not WOT at all times. I'm using this idea to hopefully become a much smoother driver, the restrictor plate will make the throttle body less sensitive