[Diy_efi] The Hunt effect

Tue Oct 4 03:19:42 UTC 2005

So, " All Northstar engines are recommended to use reg unleaded " should
really be MOST N*.

-----Original Message-----
From: diy_efi-bounces at diy-efi.org [mailto:diy_efi-bounces at diy-efi.org]
On Behalf Of Bret Levandowski
Sent: Monday, October 03, 2005 9:05 PM
To: diy_efi at diy-efi.org
Subject: RE: [Diy_efi] The Hunt effect

Yes, the Concours and Allante used different cams than the standard
Northstar so dropping fuel grade would have lowered MPG.

"Ulmer, James D - Denver, CO" <james.d.ulmer at usps.gov> wrote:

Well, my '94 Concours displays a warning on the electronic dash that
says "Premium Unleaded Fuel Only" so regular is definitely NOT
recommended for this one. While the true numbers may well be off, this
was a relative test. Same driving conditions, premium before, regular in
the middle and premium afterwards. I think that is a fairly controlled
test so the difference in the numbers is pretty significant.  I didn't
bring up the display and watch the timing but I'm convinced the computer
was retarding the engine to compensate for low octane. BTW, I'm in
Denver so this was run at a bit over 5000 feet.

Jim 

-----Original Message-----
From: diy_efi-bounces at diy-efi.org [mailto:diy_efi-bounces at diy-efi.org]
On Behalf Of Bret Levandowski
Sent: Monday, October 03, 2005 6:49 PM
To: diy_efi at diy-efi.org
Subject: RE: [Diy_efi] The Hunt effect

Being a Cadillac tech, I can tell you that you can't trust the acuracy
of the trip computer. The program for the tc is inherently flawed due to
the way it calculates and the sensors used. All Northstar engines are
recommended to use reg unleaded. GM tests have shown no gain (in fact a
small decrease) in MPG by going to mid or super. I'm not saying it's
worthless, but we've noted up to a 15% error on the MPG.  Ski

"Ulmer, James D - Denver, CO" <james.d.ulmer at usps.gov> wrote: 

My off-hand test with my '94 Cadillac NorthStar yielded just under 2 mpg
difference. 16.9 verses 19.5. For me, the better gas is clearly well
worth the cost. When prices peaked at $3.00 a gallon around here, I
thought I'd save a little money and switch to the lower octane. Went
back to the better stuff and the trip computer showed the difference
within just a few miles of driving.

Big Jim 

> -----Original Message-----
> From: diy_efi-bounces at diy-efi.org [mailto:diy_efi-bounces at diy-efi.org]
On
> Behalf Of dh at busb.com
> Sent: Monday, October 03, 2005 5:13 PM
> To: diy_efi at diy-efi.org
> Subject: [Diy_efi] The Hunt effect
> 
> Took a trip to Washington a couple of weekends back. Told my Prius
> driving
> Texas friend (From Austin) that he should start purchasing 89 instead
of
> 87
> octane. That's 'cause it would cost him less. Well, partner, he said
he
> would try it if I paid the bill, which I did. We shared driving
duties
> and
> sure 'nuff the car got 51 mpg instead of the previous 48 mpg. We did
this
> averaging over 80 mph (while moving) and with two drivers.
> 
> How does 3mpg save money? Well that is 3mpg divided by 48mpg which is
a
> whopping 6.25% improvement. Big deal? Well yes! You see that gas
cost 10
> cents more per gallon which is 3.22% more. Since I'm an accountant I
> noticed that the 3% increase in cost (because gas is quite expensive
now)
> was giving a 6% increase in mileage. That, folks, is a 3% reduction
in
> gas
> price per mile.
> 
> Don't mean squat in a non-computer controlled car, but in engines that
> have
> high compression (over 8.5:1) and 'bouncing' engine management (where
the
> ignition is repeatedly advanced until the engine pings and retarded
> slightly) you can expect the same gains.
> 
> Please, try this for yourself and report the results. Especially
those of
> you that have a consistent route to work and don't run into a lot of
> traffic
> in-route (both of you). Report your results here, in public.
> 
> In reality, it should also work for even older engines with lower
> compression. I first noticed the effect with an 83 Olds with computer
> controlled carburetor and that was NOT a sophisticated engine control
> system. With that car the engine got about 6% better fuel mileage
making
> it
> breakeven even at $1.50 per gallon. With the wonderful side effect of
> being
> able to pull the hills of North Alabama without pinging.
> 
> I call this phenomenon the Hunt Effect.
> 
> dh
> 
> 
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