[Guy allegedly cuts drag coefficient from .34 to .17 in backyard]

FYI, there's an ongoing open source DIY project at EcoModder. Members have developed a fuel economy computer called "MPGuino" (based on Arduino platform) that works on pre-OBD2 vehicles - actually, any fuel injected vehicle with a VSS. You get them them pre-built, or buy the components and make it yourself from the instructions posted.

 

 

There has been talk about adapting a version for carbureted cars, but I don't know if anyone's done it yet. Here's the subforum discussing the development of the DIY instruments: OpenGauge / MPGuino fuel economy computer

 

I ordered mine a couple days ago. I should order the kit version as well. Either this or a programmable scanguage would still need the fuel flow sensor. This little item seems to have stalled the carbureted version. the nice thing about the mpguino is that the programming could be changed pretty easy to accomodate a flow meter. Flow meters can be really simple devices too but there is NOTHING on the internet that is simple or cost effective for this effort. I have been thinking of making my own but finding a cheap ready made spinner is the problem.

[Guy allegedly cuts drag coefficient from .34 to .17 in backyard]

Unfortunately, I think the market would be too small for something like that. Besides, most of the time would be spent on tech support calls ("Hello, which one is the fuel line?") Just take a look at the freeway and come up with a ratio for pre-1996 cars to post-1995 cars.

 

If it was added as a feature it wouldn't. Older cars and diesels it is pretty easy to find a fuel line. If you are so ignorant as that then take it to a mechanic right. Its a feature that you shouldnt have to tech support. All it needs is three additional signal channels. +pulse per gallon -pulse per gallon(for return lines) and VSS +pulse per mile. Those are just numbers that need crunched. Scangauge III yay lol Thats called a multipurpose scangauge and that old stuff was alot simpler then all the ODB2 stuff is.

[Guy allegedly cuts drag coefficient from .34 to .17 in backyard]

Wow, it's a small world. My uncle (and Godfather) is the one who designs and sells the ScanGauge. Worked at Motorola as an engineer for years, this is sort of his retirement hobby. I really liked mine, until I looked at the horrible gas mileage my Honda [Element] got the way I drove it.

Hmm maybe you should suggest to him that OBD2 cars aren't the only ones on the road. I like the scanguage setup but don't plan on having any obd2 cars in the future and I know alot of people that really like their old custom hotrods etc that would also like to be able to get real mileage information on their carbed vehicles, not to mention the mpg enthusiests with older cars.

In the old days, lol, you used to be able to get mileage computers from the likes of JCPenney etc. It had a transducer you put in the fuel line and one of a couple of types of speed sensing units. My sister and I loved to watch the instant mpg while my dad drove. Now you cant find anything like that for those cars.