PlenumBiscuit
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Dec 22, 2010
- Messages
- 1,390
- Reaction score
- 147
- Points
- 63
- Location
- Adelaide
- Members Ride
- VY Commodore
So ive bought a VS, I love it but am a bit down on the fuel use compared to my old VL. I figured the technology of a 1995 car that is 10 years younger would have supreme fuel use compared to the 1986 commodore, but still, one is a 3.8 litre & the other is a 3.0 litre
ANYWAY, im researching around the internet & putting together a list of tips and tricks to save fuel on the VS. From at home jobs to advanced mods
Please reply & tell me more if you like, I'll edit the list as we go
Lets not discuss my fuel use per kilometer, lets just list every trick....
Here is the collection (some being very obvious)...
# Dirty Air Filter - renew
# Dirty Mass Air Flow Sensor (MAF) - Clean with proper MAF Cleaner (also helps if running rough)
# Tighten all clamps ensure sealed no air leaks
# Polish throttle body - remove all black gunk - VIEW MORE
# Clean IAC - remove black gunk or renew
# Secure all clamps on throttle hoses, ensure no air leaks - i personally got new hoses very cheap at Sprint Auto
# Polish/degrease Plenum Chamber - likely coated with oil - clean so oil free and incoming air isnt heated by hot oil in your plenum
# Secure all clamps on hoses at back of plenum chamber, ensure no air leaks
# Check Exhaust manifolds for cracks or air leaks (very common)
# ensure nuts on manifold are tight. These come loose on most cars over time
# Oxygen sensors are a huge culprit to poor fuel use - renew
# Many known issues with earths on O2 sensors on some vehicles - Earth oxygen sensor wiring from the ECU straight to the chassis -READ MORE HERE
# Another solution is to disable the heater wires on the O2s (pink wires) - please study before attempting this
# Even check if your O2 sensors are in tight
# Replace the Coolant Temp Sensor - incorrect readings to the ECU will cause poor fuel use
# (immortality) With a can of contact cleaner, remove & clean every electrical connection, even polish up the earth points
# Ensure wheel alignment is correct & tyre pressure is always correct (my stock 15inch tyres are 38psi)
# New spark plugs - $25
# Test resistance of Spark Leads, renew if quite old, even a used set from wreckers $12 U-Pull-It
# Add injector cleaner to fuel
# Check if injectors arent leaking fuel, get new Orings securely seal
# get VT injectors (the green ones) they hav a better spray pattern and design. Will require a memcal tune so the ecu knows of the new injectors
# Get a memcal tune (new Computer chip settings) to suit VT injectors
# New fuel filter
# Secure all clamps on fuel tank hoses, ensure they arent brittle & not leaking fuel. Especially if u can smell fuel in the car or near back driver tyre
# An old Fuel pump could be causing poor fuel use.
# ensure return line in still on inside the fuel tank else car on corners might be stalling
# Add injector cleaner to fuel, or run on premium fuel occasionally, even a dose of 98 Octane will clean her out. Some people use 98 octane permanently.
# Replace charcoal cannister, or clear SEE MORE HERE
# put clamps down on these hoses on the cannister too
# (from jonah101) Get brakes serviced, make sure the brake sliders are free and its pistons are not sticky.
# Turn off your Air conditioner
OTHER GENERAL TIPS TO MAKE VS PERFORM WELL
# Get fatter earth cables to the engine. Upgrade cable from battery to body (she'll start faster). Also add a fat earth cable from battery (negative) to engine block (in front of block where heater bolt is & a small earth wire currently sits) super cheap auto sell heavy lug battery terminal cables
# (from Brett_jjj) Service Auto Transmission every 50,000, change filter & trans oil
# (immortality) service/change all oils and filters (don't forget the diff oil)
# Check the oil pressure sensor isnt busted and leaking oil (unplug it and check)
# Renew the Alternator main wire & larger battery earth wire
# Add Carbon Clear to the oil (dont know what the products name is see in store)
# Get a memcal tune (new Computer chip settings) for better throttle response (contact The1 on this forum)
UPGRADE THE ENGINE (Mods)
# Install a Cold Air Intake (CAI) for ultimate air into the engine
# (Brett_jjj) New set of headers (extractors) makes a good difference over the standard setup - $400
# (immortality) I'd also recommend some diff gears, 3.45 works well, (transmission upgrade)
# Add Plenum Chamber Spacer?? True or false??
VIEW HERE
Please tell me more??
ANYWAY, im researching around the internet & putting together a list of tips and tricks to save fuel on the VS. From at home jobs to advanced mods
Please reply & tell me more if you like, I'll edit the list as we go
Lets not discuss my fuel use per kilometer, lets just list every trick....
Here is the collection (some being very obvious)...
# Dirty Air Filter - renew
# Dirty Mass Air Flow Sensor (MAF) - Clean with proper MAF Cleaner (also helps if running rough)
# Tighten all clamps ensure sealed no air leaks
# Polish throttle body - remove all black gunk - VIEW MORE
# Clean IAC - remove black gunk or renew
# Secure all clamps on throttle hoses, ensure no air leaks - i personally got new hoses very cheap at Sprint Auto
# Polish/degrease Plenum Chamber - likely coated with oil - clean so oil free and incoming air isnt heated by hot oil in your plenum
# Secure all clamps on hoses at back of plenum chamber, ensure no air leaks
# Check Exhaust manifolds for cracks or air leaks (very common)
# ensure nuts on manifold are tight. These come loose on most cars over time
# Oxygen sensors are a huge culprit to poor fuel use - renew
# Many known issues with earths on O2 sensors on some vehicles - Earth oxygen sensor wiring from the ECU straight to the chassis -READ MORE HERE
# Another solution is to disable the heater wires on the O2s (pink wires) - please study before attempting this
# Even check if your O2 sensors are in tight
# Replace the Coolant Temp Sensor - incorrect readings to the ECU will cause poor fuel use
# (immortality) With a can of contact cleaner, remove & clean every electrical connection, even polish up the earth points
# Ensure wheel alignment is correct & tyre pressure is always correct (my stock 15inch tyres are 38psi)
# New spark plugs - $25
# Test resistance of Spark Leads, renew if quite old, even a used set from wreckers $12 U-Pull-It
# Add injector cleaner to fuel
# Check if injectors arent leaking fuel, get new Orings securely seal
# get VT injectors (the green ones) they hav a better spray pattern and design. Will require a memcal tune so the ecu knows of the new injectors
# Get a memcal tune (new Computer chip settings) to suit VT injectors
# New fuel filter
# Secure all clamps on fuel tank hoses, ensure they arent brittle & not leaking fuel. Especially if u can smell fuel in the car or near back driver tyre
# An old Fuel pump could be causing poor fuel use.
# ensure return line in still on inside the fuel tank else car on corners might be stalling
# Add injector cleaner to fuel, or run on premium fuel occasionally, even a dose of 98 Octane will clean her out. Some people use 98 octane permanently.
# Replace charcoal cannister, or clear SEE MORE HERE
# put clamps down on these hoses on the cannister too
# (from jonah101) Get brakes serviced, make sure the brake sliders are free and its pistons are not sticky.
# Turn off your Air conditioner
OTHER GENERAL TIPS TO MAKE VS PERFORM WELL
# Get fatter earth cables to the engine. Upgrade cable from battery to body (she'll start faster). Also add a fat earth cable from battery (negative) to engine block (in front of block where heater bolt is & a small earth wire currently sits) super cheap auto sell heavy lug battery terminal cables
# (from Brett_jjj) Service Auto Transmission every 50,000, change filter & trans oil
# (immortality) service/change all oils and filters (don't forget the diff oil)
# Check the oil pressure sensor isnt busted and leaking oil (unplug it and check)
# Renew the Alternator main wire & larger battery earth wire
# Add Carbon Clear to the oil (dont know what the products name is see in store)
# Get a memcal tune (new Computer chip settings) for better throttle response (contact The1 on this forum)
UPGRADE THE ENGINE (Mods)
# Install a Cold Air Intake (CAI) for ultimate air into the engine
# (Brett_jjj) New set of headers (extractors) makes a good difference over the standard setup - $400
# (immortality) I'd also recommend some diff gears, 3.45 works well, (transmission upgrade)
# Add Plenum Chamber Spacer?? True or false??
VIEW HERE
Please tell me more??
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