My Lowered 96 Chevy Beretta!

[berettaboi]

there have been a few air bag suspension beretta's. Jengtz (jensgtz?) was one that i know of. years ago i think i remember hearing that car is stuffed in a garage somewhere...

Yes, that car was bagged. And it's been sitting for about 3 years rusting away in someone's yard and that person will NOT sell it. Last time I saw it, it was looking pretty crappy, apparently it needed some minor work to pass inspection and apparently it was parked and never touched.

that sucks to hear... and kyle, i'm almost sure i was recalling your thread on searching out her car.

and one last quicky on fuel pumps, they dont always just fail. many times there is a warning: a whining pump, and also in some cases stops working when you are low on gas- the pump is cooled by the fuel, not really designed/meant to (as with running less than a 1/4 tank...), but when the pump is getting weak and gets hot from doing so much work to keep up, with no fuel around it to cool it, it stops). and then sometimes there is no warning... luck of the draw!

and i dont think running a test as ace describes (short) is that bad for the car (as chad describes), provided that you dont run it that lean (with bucking and no power...) for many miles, which would be just plain stupidity.

[theSLEEPER]

My car pulls to redline flawlessly and has plenty of power whenever I DO decide to waste a little fuel and punch it... Seems to me it would definitely lean out at some point and lose power if the pump had low pressure.

[Ozzwoman9]

there have been a few air bag suspension beretta's. Jengtz (jensgtz?) was one that i know of. years ago i think i remember hearing that car is stuffed in a garage somewhere...

Yes, that car was bagged. And it's been sitting for about 3 years rusting away in someone's yard and that person will NOT sell it. Last time I saw it, it was looking pretty crappy, apparently it needed some minor work to pass inspection and apparently it was parked and never touched.

that sucks to hear... and kyle, i'm almost sure i was recalling your thread on searching out her car.

Yeah, I found the car a while back for Kyle. I knew the car was in my area as I'd seen it for sale about a year before Kyle was searching for it. Showed the pic to my little bro, who said he knew who's driveway it was sitting in. Some young kid had it and it was in neglect. I think I gave Kyle the guy's number on it a while back, but the guy said it wasn't for sale and he'd only sell it for a ridiculously higher amount then he even paid for it.

[3X00-Modified]

My car pulls to redline flawlessly and has plenty of power whenever I DO decide to waste a little fuel and punch it... Seems to me it would definitely lean out at some point and lose power if the pump had low pressure.

Ok fine I'm wrong then you must have a freak car that gets 38mpg with a 3100 v6 4t60e combo... Better go sacrifice a goat to the gods so they don't decide to take that away from you.

[Chad91GTZ]

I don't know why we are speculating, when everyone who works on cars should own a fuel pressure tester.

[DTMAce]

LOL

I don't have one. Have about damn near everything else though....

[Kyle Anderson]

Yeah, I found the car a while back for Kyle. I knew the car was in my area as I'd seen it for sale about a year before Kyle was searching for it. Showed the pic to my little bro, who said he knew who's driveway it was sitting in. Some young kid had it and it was in neglect. I think I gave Kyle the guy's number on it a while back, but the guy said it wasn't for sale and he'd only sell it for a ridiculously higher amount then he even paid for it.

Let's have a moment for this beautiful car...



Full album here: http://s4.photobucket.com/albums/y147/e ... 1QQtppZZ20

[wicked-irocz]

Not that I know anything but I do know a car that is tuned lean (or has lowered fuel pressure) will get better mileage as the car is constantly having to add fuel based on O2 sensor inputs. If its rich before it corrects, you are using extra fuel until it corrects. I've done this on two cars and have had great results, one was on a CARB certified test schedule dyno like they use to calculate real MPG numbers for manufacturers.

My best tank in my Z26 was 33.4 IIRC and that was with the turbo. Best before the turbo was 29.9 IIRC.

Cutting coils is fine as long as you use what is considered a cold saw which a properly operated portaband is. There is a better way to lower your car and you could lower it more without any issues considering that you change the A arm to clear the fuel and brake lines. I know many argue with things I say but I will continue on helping those that care to listen with the knowledge I have.

[theSLEEPER]

My car pulls to redline flawlessly and has plenty of power whenever I DO decide to waste a little fuel and punch it... Seems to me it would definitely lean out at some point and lose power if the pump had low pressure.

Ok fine I'm wrong then you must have a freak car that gets 38mpg with a 3100 v6 4t60e combo... Better go sacrifice a goat to the gods so they don't decide to take that away from you.

I never said I got 38?? I have been averaging low 30's though...

I don't understand why that's so hard for you to believe...

I have been reading around this forum though, and it's obvious you are the residential expert of EVERYTHING... So I'm just going to shut up and listen to everything you say...

[theSLEEPER]

Not that I know anything but I do know a car that is tuned lean (or has lowered fuel pressure) will get better mileage as the car is constantly having to add fuel based on O2 sensor inputs. If its rich before it corrects, you are using extra fuel until it corrects. I've done this on two cars and have had great results, one was on a CARB certified test schedule dyno like they use to calculate real MPG numbers for manufacturers.

My best tank in my Z26 was 33.4 IIRC and that was with the turbo. Best before the turbo was 29.9 IIRC.

Cutting coils is fine as long as you use what is considered a cold saw which a properly operated portaband is. There is a better way to lower your car and you could lower it more without any issues considering that you change the A arm to clear the fuel and brake lines. I know many argue with things I say but I will continue on helping those that care to listen with the knowledge I have.

Thanks sir. I have no doubt that the way I lowered it was at least as safe as installing Eibachs or Sprints... Maybe not as good of a ride, but at least as safe...

I'm not disagreeing that I don't have low fuel pressure, but I ASSume that if it's low enough, I would run into issues... I admit, most of my mechanical and performance knowledge is diesel based, so I'm not up on gasser tuning. If there is a better explanation than "Low pressure=lean condition" I may be more inclined to understand.

Is there no fuel pressure sensor on a 3100? Does it not gather information from an 02 sensor?

[3X00-Modified]

Is there no fuel pressure sensor on a 3100? Does it not gather information from an 02 sensor?

There is no fuel pressure sensor, and yes it gathers info from the O2 but it can only correct so much before the lack of flow can't be corrected for anymore, max Fuel trim is 25% correction before its pegged, and it typically will not throw a lean code since your idle and part throttle is not affected its only when you go WOT that your not supplying it with adequate fuel so when you are "hammering" on it its not using as much fuel as it would, as well as typical acceleration that uses more fuel is once again lessened by the delivery process being hindered, equating to a much higher MPG than the car is designed to do.

Beretta Tank capacity... 15.2 US gallons... 550 miles to a tank is 36.18 MPG, I'm assuming didn't have or use EXACTLY 15.2 gallons since that's impossible unless you filled it from dry with 15.2 gallons and ran it dry... SO that would make your fuel consumption less than 15.2 gallons which increases the MPG to the 38 range.

And to say you've been driving at 80-90mph on the higway and still pulled off 30mpg I find hard to believe.

You stated you wanted a 40mpg vehicle but would be happy with 32mpg constant which is not possible with the above driving style. You also said your best tank was 36mpg so far, so sue me I said 38 sorry.

I never said I was the resident expert on anything, I'm stating what I think is wrong and your arguing it with no facts, I can't help that one.

[SuzukiGhostRider]

.............
And I'm not picking on anyone, but I know of at least 5 threads where you have typed out, Mike, TYPED OUT, "oh whatever I didn't read this whole thing" after being wrong or incorrect lol......

Hey, no, sure. I'm the first to admit I've either not read a thread fully a few times or incorrectly and typed something wrong or off. I'm not perfect. Hell, I've even been wrong sometimes when I did read the thread. I always ADMIT it though. I've never had a problem manning up when I'm incorrect. I'm certainly not God,lol.

But I'm right a HELLUVA lot more than I'm wrong.

Also, I think it's absolutely hilarious on a sidenote, that everyone is suddenly interested in bitching about me typing in caps for emphasis when I've done that for years and no one even commented on it. I'm guessing it's supposed to irritate me now that a few of you have decided it's not "p.c." for the Intawnetzzz dawg?

[theSLEEPER]

I never said I was the resident expert on anything, I'm stating what I think is wrong and your arguing it with no facts, I can't help that one.

I'm just stating what is happening, and that I like it just fine...

You're the one intent on arguing... Have been since day one... I'll take video of my fill ups next time for you.

[DTMAce]

Damn, where is the popcorn icon?

lol

Let's see.

I think some of this is my fault, so I apologize if things have gotten out of hand. Bottom line, I think each of us are getting a sense that there are variances in our mpg. Some could be how its driven. Others could be mechanical condition of the vehicle, or how its filled up tank to tank.

We all like to see good MPG but also want to see good performance! I know I like to stomp the gas pedal here and there! But when on trips I tend to be very... well smooth I guess. Someone said earlier I was hyper-miling even! Maybe I am to some extent. I don't follow semi trucks or stuff like that. Its dangerous for one, as you have to be pretty close and second, you can't see upcoming events.

I stick to 3 basic rules when trying to save fuel:

1: Consistent filling. Typically when the pump "pops" I give the car a nudge and I'm usually able to get up to another gallon into the tank before its starts filling up the neck.

2: No rabbit driving. No granny driving. I use moderate accelerating and coasting routines/habits in my driving style.

3: Use cruise control and stick to the exact speed limit. Use resume at the earliest speed it can engage (above 25mph/40km) to get back to set speed. I use a GPS to set my speed, not the speed odometer, as they are not as accurate.

Other tips: Keep tire pressures up and even. Use synthetic engine oil for lower engine turning resistance. Remove excess weight from the car. Above all, be consistent with your driving for an entire tank, and you will see results. I know a heavy foot can drop it lots.

Anyways, maybe that will help.

[3X00-Modified]

Damn, where is the popcorn icon?

lol

Let's see.

I think some of this is my fault, so I apologize if things have gotten out of hand. Bottom line, I think each of us are getting a sense that there are variances in our mpg. Some could be how its driven. Others could be mechanical condition of the vehicle, or how its filled up tank to tank.

We all like to see good MPG but also want to see good performance! I know I like to stomp the gas pedal here and there! But when on trips I tend to be very... well smooth I guess. Someone said earlier I was hyper-miling even! Maybe I am to some extent. I don't follow semi trucks or stuff like that. Its dangerous for one, as you have to be pretty close and second, you can't see upcoming events.

I stick to 3 basic rules when trying to save fuel:

1: Consistent filling. Typically when the pump "pops" I give the car a nudge and I'm usually able to get up to another gallon into the tank before its starts filling up the neck.

2: No rabbit driving. No granny driving. I use moderate accelerating and coasting routines/habits in my driving style.

3: Use cruise control and stick to the exact speed limit. Use resume at the earliest speed it can engage (above 25mph/40km) to get back to set speed. I use a GPS to set my speed, not the speed odometer, as they are not as accurate.

Other tips: Keep tire pressures up and even. Use synthetic engine oil for lower engine turning resistance. Remove excess weight from the car. Above all, be consistent with your driving for an entire tank, and you will see results. I know a heavy foot can drop it lots.

Anyways, maybe that will help.

I agree with this 100% and this is a prime way to possibly squeeze 36mpg out of a 3100 auto combo... But sorry you wont get 30mpg running at 90mph on the highway unless there is an issue somewhere in fuel delivery, that's all I'm trying to say. And I just keep getting told I'm crazy or stupid or trying to be a know it all. Hell I'm not the only one saying that doesn't compute.