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Enough with the justification and defense of a relatively unscientific test, on with the numbers. Before any suspension work was done, Project Hypermiler pulled a respectable 0.88g around the 270 degree banked “skidpad” on the way to work. After modifications, Hypermiler pulled an amazing 1.06g, for a net improvement of 0.18g, or a 20% improvement. The difference was obvious before the numbers were tallied, but this amount of improvement was certainly not expected from relatively mild and streetable mods.
Overall fuel efficiency has stayed approximately the same, maintaining the car’s lifetime average of 48mpg. Usually, this would indicate no net gain in mileage, however, the last tank featured a lot of blasting through corners, mountain roads, and “skidpads” on the way to work. Expect mileage updates in a future article. In addition, straightline traction of the tires was tested on more than a few occasions. Unfortunately, the sticky Nitto rubber no longer allows Hypermiler to spin through first. Completely unacceptable. Expect more power to remedy this in a future installment.
Perhaps the best benefit of the wheels, tires, and suspension upgrades is that I don’t get nearly as many guys peering into the car hoping to see a cute blonde. The disappointment was starting to make me self conscious.
Sources:
Can’t get enough Project Hypermiler? Read the rest HERE.
