New Matrix Owner

[Daox]

Hello all. I've been lurking on this board for a while now. I picked up a 2003 Matrix base model about two months ago. It does have a few modifications done to it.Eibach Sportline springsHella Angel eyes fog lampsE-manage blueZeitronix Zt-217" Konig Absolute rimsYokohama ES100 tiresProgress rear sway barIt also came with a TRD cold air intake, but its not installed. I'm not sure if I'll be putting it on yet or not. Its pretty much the wife's car (replaced a 1996 Tercel) and our trip car. I do have further modifications planned for it. As mentioned it is the wife's car and she really isn't interested in more horsepower (I am, but I do have 3 other cars to play with). She is, however, interested in tweaking a few more mpg out of the car. So, I have a few modifications lined up to increase fuel economy. Seeing as how I'm getting mid to upper 30s for mileage since it has been warmer out, I don't think it'll be hard to get into the 40s. The current goal is to get into the 50s though.

[BlueCrush]

Welcome to GenVibe! Congrats on your purchase.Is the E-manage tuned?How do you like the Zietronix Zt-2?Does it replace your oem O2 Sensor?Your almost maxed out for MPG now.Low 40's/hwy should be attainable.50 MPG is a pipe dream. lol.

[NascarXprt]

welcome to the Family!nice list

[kevera]

Welcome to the darkside.

[coldmm803]

welcome to the board, installing the cold air intake should help gain a couple of mpgs as long as you dont increase use of the gas. low 40s should be possible (i've done it 2 or 3 times, stock, set the cruise to 70 and if you dont need to pass your golden).

[Whelan]

Welcome welcome! I have a Trix too, and personally think this place is a little better than MO (shhh don't let it get out). I do spend more time here though.I don't have as many mods as you unfortunately but I also have AWD so it kinds hinders that. But welcome again, you will find the Vibers to be on the good cousin side

[northvibe]

welcome! thats a nice list of mods on that car post some pics if you have any!

[Daox]

BlueCrushIs the E-manage tuned?Somewhat. I'm the 2nd owner of the car and the previous owner had put it in. He only really altered the fuel maps at WOT. The ignition harness isn't wired in.How do you like the Zietronix Zt-2?Its a very nice unit. Great for datalogging. Unfortunately I don't have an EGT sensor hooked up to it yet. Just bought a new exhaust manifold off ebay last week. I'll be welding a bung to it for the EGT gauge, probably doing a little port smoothing work, and ceramic coating it.Does it replace your oem O2 Sensor?I believe you can run it as a stand alone or in place of the stock O2 sensor. Currently mine is setup as a stock replacement. This allows you to tune your closed loop air/fuel ratios. This is great for this car because it stays in closed loop a lot.Your almost maxed out for MPG now.Low 40's/hwy should be attainable.50 MPG is a pipe dream. lol.I've already hit 40 mpg (39.8 actually) once. Just wait and see.

[BlueCrush]

Haha! Will do!

[northvibe]

the zietronix is a water/alcohol injection kit? If it is then higher than stock mileage is possible. 50 does seem a little high though, specially with an TRD cai ready to install id want to mash the gas to much

[BlueCrush]

Quote, originally posted by northvibe »the zietronix is a water/alcohol injection kit? If it is then higher than stock mileage is possible. 50 does seem a little high though, specially with an TRD cai ready to install id want to mash the gas to much It's a Wideband A/F meter with boost and egt inputs: http://www.zeitronix.com/Products/zt2/zt2.htm

[northvibe]

Ah

[Whelan]

Ha! Me and Blue wish for the day we could pull 40mpg with the AWD weighin us down. That extra couple hundred pounds in back makes a difference, but I'll trade it off anyday to be able to pull my *** up a hill in some snow.

[Daox]

Here is a pic of the car that the previous owner took and used to sell it. I don't have any and its raining out right now.

[Neouka]

50 mpg? Good luck there That's Prius territory.40 mpg? Certainly possible, my last tank fetched me 39 mpg, largely due to a decent distance doing 60 mph (My summer average is about 36mpg). If I had done that the whole tank and had a tailwind the entire time, I think the low 40s would be doable, but I wouldn't think you'd ever be able to get any better. Car's just too heavy. Corolla is lighter.Nice ride, btw!

[ToolGuy]

Welcome!

[engineertwin2]

Quote, originally posted by BlueCrush »Welcome to GenVibe! ...50 MPG is a pipe dream. lol.If he REALLY wants to hit 50 mpg, he may have some options - like stripping out the rear seats, stripping out the passenger seat, replacing driver's seat with HDPE seat, putting the high efficiency tires on in runflat configuration so he can remove the spare, get rid of extra plastic in the trunk, replace rear door with just sheet metal, pull out all the extra plastic under the hood, and only drives with a 40 mph tail wind...J/k...but it is interesting to see someone who may be more into modding the car for more mpgs than HPs...

[Daox]

Thats pretty much it engineertwin2. I have three other cars to play with. A Toyota Paseo that is lightly modified (intake, header, exhaust, head work) thats my daily driver, a Toyota Tercel that will be supercharged this summer and is totally torn apart ATM, and a 1973 Jaguar XJ12 restoration project that has a long way to go. Its not always about horsepower. Also, the modifications for fuel economy won't compromise comfort, utility, or driveability. If they do they will be removed.

[808 Vibes]

Welcome!!!