m4d3c1ips3

Hi,

I'm new to the forums here, and I own a 1991 Camaro RS V6. I'm currently a high school junior, and as such, do not have much money. I'm looking for ways to improve the fuel economy of the car. I really don't know much about car mechanics unfortunately, but desperately want to learn. I am at a loss on how to get better gas milage out of this fine car, but from what I've heard, I could get new air filters, aftermarket exhausts, specialized oil, etc. Any suggestions?

~Alex

tekk

Welcome, I am new myself. But a good tune-up should do. Buy the Haynes repair manual. Helps a lot.

Or search for the 'TomP tune-up'.
https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/sho...t=TomP+tune+up

Nocturnall

TomP's tuneup https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/sho...ghlight=Tuneup


as far as spark plugs go get regular old AC Delco spark plugs. Do not get the bosch platinum 4+'s or anything fancy like that. Other then that follow that tech article and it's a great place to start.

welcome to the boards.

camaro350man

Why nothing fancy? I have plats. in my car?

GreyFox

yep i have heard those 4+ do nasty things to cylinder heads

Nocturnall

I read into what spark plug to get probably a lot more then I should have and basically the +4's or whatever block air/fuel from getting to the spark. Your only gonna get 1 arch. I know I had'em in my car and when I went back to the reg ole copper ac delco's my idle smoothed and the car ran better. They went crappy after like 2 months in my car. The Ac Delcos I switched to are still good after probably too long.

m4d3c1ips3

I already have the Chilton manual, is the Haynes one that much better? Also, how many more mpg's can I expect from a tuneup like this?

V8 Slayer

Definatly noticible improvement if you totally follow it.

Another thing is make sure your tire pressure is up to par.Run a bottle of fuel system cleaner also.

camaro350man

I have accel platiums in my car. I like them

V8 Slayer

I got AC Delcos and Bosch Wires.

Project: 85 2.8 bird

not f-body, but still v6 related. I put Bosche +4's & Bosche wires in my 95 blazer and increeased mpg by about 2~3 on road trips. Couldn't really notice any improvement in city driving, as it's a pig, but hope this helps some.

FAST RS

AC RAPID FIRES KICK A$$. Also get a underdrive puly for the crank and that will boost your MPG i went from getting 200 miles per tank to 300 per tank they have well paid for them selves.

GreyFox

i'm still learning what are you talking about exactly with underdrive pully because if it helps that much i might as well do it too

RebelGQ

I recently bought a 91 Camaro RS, 3.1L.
I installed AC Delco Rapid fires and auto-lite spark plug wires and it runs smooth. Does having original ac delco spark plug wires is better than aftermarket products?

FAST RS

The underdrive pully goes on your crank and alternator DONT USE THE ONE ON THE ALT it wont charge your car. But put the one on the crank and you will be good to go it basicly gives less rotaitng mass exactly how it works i dont know "somone help me here"

The autolight wires are good but mine kept melting at my #3 wire becasue of the EGR being right there got a set of msd never had a problem again.

Dale

iTrader: (12)

Fast RS, your right on the crank pully. It helps on the rotational mass theory. Your spinning your accesorrys slower, freeing up some power.

I advise doing this when you replace your drivebelt because of age. I dont advise doing this out of "random".

Do the tomp tune up. (I say stick with basic delco plugs also)

Also, you have a 91 maro, the intake on them are crappy. Start hunting ebay or salveage yards for the 86-89 style "tpi" airbox. Then install it, you will have to do some minimal modifcations to the car, but not bad.

Keep tires inflated properly. Make sure your shocks are good. Keep any excessive weight out of the car that you dont use on regular basis, or emergency use.

Cat-back is expensive, and assuming since your still teenage, not alot of money to spend on "un-needed" items.

Someone on here installed a vacume guage inside the car, learned how to read it for max mpg use, and has well made their money back. But its not fun to drive as it says you should

FAST RS

With the belt and pully cost me like 70 bucks.

RebelGQ

What does an underdrive pulley do exactly? Where can I get MSD spark plug wires or should I go for AC Delco instead?

V8 Slayer

Underdrive pulleys are larger pulleys.Their larger so therefore they spin slower...supposibly freeing up horsepower it took the spin the smaller and heavier pulleys..Its mostly BS.You shouldent expect to see any power going to your wheels..MAYBE 4-5 at the FLYWHEEL.

FAST RS

Mine is actualy smaller then the stock pully and i noticed the car had more power on tap and better MPG.

You can get MSD wires from JEGS or Summit they run lile 40 bucks i think.

V8 Slayer

Which of your pulleys are smaller than stock? That means it is overdriving...Your MPG and Horsepower should NOT increase...that would just be against the laws of physics...lol

Smaller pulley=Faster spinning=more gas use=less power to wheels.

RebelGQ

The only local auto part stores carry auto lite, bosch, some generic brand and if I go to the dealer, then theres AC Delco.
Are MSD special or something and what improvements they do?

V8 Slayer

They basically just last longer...

RebelGQ

Durability then, why sum people BS that they increase HP and stuf....

V8 Slayer

No plugs or wires can actully INCREASE horsepower..They just simply maintain it.

FAST RS

Keep in mind a bigger pully will turn more per revoultion then a smaller one will keeping that in mind a smaller pully will turn the accessorys less per revoultion.




I like msd becasue those are the only wires that would not melt to my #3 cylynder and brake every 5 minutes. AC Delco wires are good as well didnt have a problem with them but they are more money then MSD. Call jegs to they can get you a price and tell you about them 1800 345 4545

V8 Slayer

Yeah you are right but still,that is OVERdriving.

It doesnt matter how much it spins it..The Speed is what matters.

FAST RS

All i am going to say is i know what it did with my car with gas milage and power i should sell those on tv cuz i know they work. id probly make more moeny then the damn tornado that dosent work

V8 Slayer

Exactly which pulley do you have overdriving?

FAST RS

The crank pully.

Dale

iTrader: (12)

The crank pully is SMALLER
Any accessory pully should be LARGER
...to reduce rotational mass.


Wires, the MSD, and some others are made of different material which helps carry the current better. This helping provide better spark to the hole. Of course, the stock coil sucks, so in turn you should upgrade it as well.

V8 Slayer

What would be a good ignition upgrade for a 3.1?

Dale

iTrader: (12)

v6 uses same coils as the v8s

hypertech is most powerful 53-55k volts?
then msd 52k volts

few down is accel 43-45k volts
stock replacement.??