What is Digg?55 Comments
- doiveo, on 11/14/2008, -2/+22#1, a bicycle?
- allaboutdatiki, on 11/14/2008, -1/+17It's illegal to swap an automatic for a manual? In what nanny states?
- BXRWXR, on 11/14/2008, -0/+14You mean the big wing bolted on the back of my Civic isn't helping my fuel economy?
- c1rcasurv1ve, on 11/14/2008, -0/+13Since when were manual transmissions a downgrade from automatics?
- Trekhawk, on 11/14/2008, -0/+10Essentially it's 3 things:
1. Drive/accelerate slower and maintain a constant speed
2. Reduce friction everywhere
3. Remove all power options from the vehicle (including the alternator is you're crazy) - Pstall, on 11/14/2008, -0/+10Can you please show me the website that says it is illegal to "Downgrade" a car from an automatic to a manual transmission in all states?
- SVOboy, on 11/14/2008, -1/+8A lot of these are way too difficult for most people but some of them are pretty interesting and doable, nonetheless. Not like gas is gonna be cheap forever.
- subarusqueege, on 11/14/2008, -0/+6I remove extra nuts and bolts, you can remove quite alot without the car falling apart. Why use 4 or 5 lug nuts, when one does the trick just fine.
Disclaimer........................results may vary sudden side effect may include injury or death. - Hardcase, on 11/14/2008, -0/+6If by "virtually all states" you mean California, then you're correct.
- pe5t1lence, on 11/14/2008, -0/+6Some of these are just ridiculously dangerous! Removing your sideview mirrors and wipers is just asking for an accident in the rain. Killing your engine will cut power to your breaks and steering (assuming you have powered steering and breaks). Replacing your tires with thinner tires will increase breaking distance and the chance of losing control in a turn, especially in bad weather.
- MetroMPG, on 11/14/2008, -0/+5Does a pedal powered Buick count? :P
http://ecomodder.com/forum/fuel-economy-mpg-modifi ... - chas46, on 11/14/2008, -0/+5 What a list, who would have ever thought there would be so many things to do.
- stotty, on 11/14/2008, -0/+5I just want to point out that moon caps most definitely do not "look pretty cool", ever.
- Homerr, on 11/14/2008, -0/+561. Paradigm shift - you can't "mod" your way out of this, so just drive less instead.
- fribhey, on 11/14/2008, -0/+4the best mod would be to remove the wheels and walk.
- tgc1, on 11/14/2008, -0/+4Great presentation, but some REALLY stupid modifications and as someone said above, many are illegal. I'd say a good handful are just plain dangerous (like removing windshield wipers... wtf?). I'd go ahead and take any of this advice with a rock of salt the size of Gibraltar.
- blake_mooney, on 11/14/2008, -1/+4LOL, nice.
- Abomonog, on 11/14/2008, -4/+7It should be mentioned that the following listed mods are illegal in virtually all states with required safety inspections:
Removing the side mirrors. The driver side mirror must remain. Even if you have an onboard screen and camera setup.
Removing the door handles.
Removing the windshield wipers.
Lexan/plastic covers over "bucket" style headlights. Covering the headlights, even with clear plastic, is illegal in many states as they prohibit the headlight angle adjusters from working.
Replacing power steering with a manual rack. Downgrading stock setups to below stock specs is illegal in all states using safety inspections. If it came with power steering then power steering must remain. The inspectors can tell a down graded system just by looking at the mounting bracket setup.
Same goes for the tranny swap. It's illegal to downgrade a stock automatic to a manual and there are telltale signs to be seen if such a swap occurred.
Be sure about the legalities of your intended mod before performing it. You don't want to be told by an inspector that your $2000 tranny swap is illegal because it doesn't hold up to stock specs. - jasdf, on 11/14/2008, -0/+3Screw the inspectors!
Part of living in a free country should include not having to have a bureaucratic inspector tell you what you can and cannot do for your hobby. - SVOboy, on 11/14/2008, -1/+4I don't think you realized how much energy is in gasoline compared to food...
- paulmer2003, on 11/14/2008, -0/+3This list sucks. Remove side mirrors? Great idea. Most American's already have enough trouble with situational awareness.
- tamuengineer, on 11/15/2008, -0/+2I will agree with the door handles and windshield wipers but nearly all of what you mention is perfectly legal, at least here in Texas.
- Finalreminder, on 11/14/2008, -1/+3lol! I drive a 1980 Ex-Military Land Rover.
Melting Icebergs is a hobby of mine - dsmx, on 11/15/2008, -0/+2It is if it could impact the lives of other people.
- whiteonyx981, on 11/14/2008, -0/+2No, that's for your COOL economy!!!
;] - junkneo, on 11/14/2008, -0/+261. Use public tranport.
62. Run..... now.... - bincoder, on 11/14/2008, -0/+1Driving sensibly is the biggest reduction to fuel use and wear you could do as a mod.
Front air dam sends the air anywhere but under the car where drag is extreme, belly pan makes what does get under the car slip right by with little drag. Both of those have a big payback.
Finally, someone who knows that using cruise to race uphill and then lose momentum via engine drag while going down the other side means wasting gas bigtime and has redesigned it to act more intellegently. That one I especially like.
Removing mirrors, removing the alternator, stuff like that isn't worth the time.
I haven't tried regearing, although I need to on one truck that screams at a high RPM at 40 mph, thats just way too much work and expense for me. - HaSatan, on 11/14/2008, -0/+1I guess the EPA doesnt have a rating for Dignity.
- Hardcase, on 11/14/2008, -2/+3Heheh. Hahahaha. Ohohohohoho. Oh yeah, the old split the water atoms and run your car on hydrogen ploy. Because we all know that it takes no energy to break the oxygen-hydrogen bond, right?
- inactive, on 11/14/2008, -0/+1Don't forget the nuts on the engine mount.
- deadasdisco, on 11/14/2008, -0/+1i noticed a huge improvement in gas mileage when i put 2 15" subwoofers in my car.
- Pete0430, on 11/14/2008, -0/+161. Turbonator
62. Pre Ignition Catalytic converter
I think I need to see a car with all 60 modifications done... It would be cheaper to buy a new car than to do all of that... - karan1003, on 11/14/2008, -0/+1who needs electronics in their vehicles anyway?
- Observant1, on 11/14/2008, -0/+1surprised they missed it for the chevy/geo metro, 1-2 clicks to e-brake lever can shut off daytime headlights to unload the alternator, if the brakes dont drag it can be 65+ mpg on trips. my neighbor does it, and being carbureted he's planning to put screen to the base of the carb, slightly higher internal manifold vaccuum, but less at the carb venturi and better atomization. we joke asking when its going to get a lawnmower deck, but its a cool enough little car.
- pleasureismine, on 11/15/2008, -0/+1The reason why there's a popular disclaimer that says "for offroad use only"
- sdevinen, on 11/14/2008, -0/+1Most obvious one: Drop that sparetire around your waist... and exchange that overweight girlfriend of yours for a lighter model!
- NHeerDesign, on 11/15/2008, -0/+1Is it time to call Jamie and Adam?
- rjam710, on 11/15/2008, -1/+2I'm sure a couple of bloggers know more about car aerodynamics than the engineers who've designed them.
- Demos27, on 11/16/2008, -0/+1Swaps have occurred, I've read about a few on E30s...
- goodinohio, on 11/15/2008, -0/+1Remove all pollution garbage. Carbon is your friend, we die without it.
- whatwhatwhoa, on 11/15/2008, -0/+1some of these are really stupid. Synthetic transmission fluid for lower friction? IT NEEDS friction. Its friction modified. It has to be a perfect balanced mixture spefically for the car. And hotter air? NO! better air flow, not hotter air. Buy an aftermarket intake/filter.
Take these with a grain of salt, most of it isn't even feasible. - pleasureismine, on 11/15/2008, -0/+1You forgot the pulstar plugs
lol - britoca, on 11/15/2008, -0/+1the real question is:
why aren't cars sold already with all these mods/gadgets included?
I mean, they already come with stereos... - spielmitmir, on 11/15/2008, -0/+1It would be such a pain to switch a automatic to a manual, just buy a manual in the first place.
- britoca, on 11/15/2008, -0/+1behold, ignorance!
- spielmitmir, on 11/15/2008, -0/+0Is this list for real?
61. Remove your stock tires and attach bicycle tires instead. This will reduce the contact area between the tires and the pavement. That will reduce friction and the amount of gas you use to move the car. - flowkan, on 12/10/2008, -0/+0Good list, Efficiency is important.
http://www.zone-car.com/ - undervalued, on 05/16/2009, -0/+0I always feel sorry for ill eagles, such majestic animals
- undervalued, on 05/16/2009, -0/+0Actually your average person running is about as efficient as a small car, if you have 4 people it is much more efficient to take even an SUV than to walk the distance.
-
Show 51 - 55 of 55 discussions
Digg is coming to a city (and computer) near you! Check out all the details on our 
© Digg Inc. 2009
— Content created and posted by Digg users is