My trip home -19 miles was 47.2mpg there with a tail wind and coming back with the AC on just about all the time was 44.6mpg. No Acetone or GP7 in this tank either although I feel it running a little rough sometimes espicailly with the AC on it really does some weird things when shifting and engine braking down hills.

 

Right now, we're about $3.05 or so, on average.
I'm totally stock, but for the de-snork and a K&N filter. I keep thinking about a header and exhaust, but I keep coming up with other superficial or handling mods instead (I'm in the midst of a big one right now...)!
As proven previously, my mileage is MUCH better when I run the stock tires, and actually TRY to drive for economy. I just posted that last bit because I was really impressed that my normal, old, everyday driving still netted me some decent numbers, even with the A/C on almost continuously.
Once it cools off again I may take another stab at MPG; reading you and Jan06's high-mileage posts is lighting a fire in me again!

 

There is a pretty decent header on the xB already - keept the AC vents blowing on you - recirculate most of the time - shut down the right side window vent by flipping it down - fan on low max cold and it should be pretty cold and dry in the cabin. Then on engine braking crank the fan up two notches for extra cooling and braking action. If you have a white box it should stay pretty cool if you are not going too fast and in traffic stay back extra from the car in front of you pumping out heat to keep the condensor cool for more efficient AC operation.

 

I read somewhere that OE tires tend to be lower rolling-resistance tires than most replacement tires. The reason being: Auto manufacturers want good EPA MPG numbers to show off to the public. And specing good tires for low R.R. is one easy way.

Most replacement tires stress low cost and longevity over low R.R.

 

One question for the snorkel-removal crowd; especially those of you with ScanGauges: Doesn't snorkel removal increase the intake air temperature?

And isn't REDUCING the intake air temperature supposed to increase fuel economy?

OK, that was two questions; anyone have some answers?

 

No scan guage here, but I'll take a whack.
The higher the incoming air temp, the less dense the air. Hence the computer will lean out the fuel injected. Comparable throttle position now burns less fuel. That's my take on it, I could be wrong though.

(Although if there is NOT an intake air temp increase: The benefit might be, the engine works less hard for any given speed because it can breathe easier, like on a CAI.)

 

Off-the-cuff, I'd say Typhoon's guess is right on the money. While I couldn't really definitely say specifically or scientifically, all I know is it works. I'm getting a solid 3.5-5 mpg better with nothing more than the de-snorking and K&N filter, no matter my driving behaviour.

 

engine doesn't work as hard to pull air thru that tiny pipe either. I had a drastic jump in mileage after doing. read 24 mpg's with air, bodykit and heavy low offset rims. now I do 32!! I'll take it.

 

I agree with typhoon, Box and JDM, what Ive read on the subject is that a higher air temp is needed to more fully 'ignite' or 'combust' the fuel so that less fuel is wasted, removing the snorkle is a win win because it does at least 2 things, maybe more; it raises the intake air temp, and it lowers the 'resistance' if you will, of the engine getting the air it needs.

With the above thoughts in mind what do you guys think of this device (added to a de-snorkled xb) for helping maximize the fuel combustion:
http://www.brightgreen.us/photos/

The fog device is my next mod, Ive already seen atleast a 2 mpg gain using the acetone and torco gp-7, I think the fog device could be the golden ticket for my driving situation. I also forgot to mention how smoothly the box runs with the above gas mixture, no more rattles casused by a ruff idiling engine.

 

Boy it sure sounds like they are fogging a LOT of acetone and xylene and GP7 into the engine 2000 miles or less with 26 oz MAN that is a lot of juice!!! A gallon 128oz of acetone should go for about 18,000 miles at 400 miles per tank of 10 gallons - sounds like they are using a lot more than the usual amount like 2000 miles at 400 miles per tank would be about 5oz of the mixture . . . humm ok I spoke too soon - it's late and I have been up since 1:45 am. Well it is a LOT of GP7 anyway! Hey that can't possibly be injecting much when a lot of throttle is being used if it relies on vacuum to draw it into the engine.

 

Boy you must be tired cuz you lost me already, lol...26 oz?...oh well, I cant wait to get the fogger, I think with the snorkel off and that fogger adjusted perfectly will make for some killer mpg's.

 

New Update:
Well, this IS a thread about miles-per-gallon after all, not just the snorkle removal...
All this talk about high MPG got under my skin again (yeah, yeah, I've got the competitive gene, too! ), especially due to this exchange:

Yup, I slapped the stock tires back on.
As mentioned, the stock tires are a much harder compound, and nearly an inch narrower than the sticky BFG 205s I've been running. The stock wheels also tuck much further into the wheelwell, all that adding up to giving you less aerodynamic drag, and less rolling resistance from both the width AND harder rubber compound.
I picked a perfect time to try this, since the weather here has been exactly the same for the past week, and my commute was identical, too.
My last tank with the aftermarket tires and A/C on constantly was 31.86 mpg.
This tank on stockers and same A/C use was 36.11!

I can't wait for the hot weather to be over to really start the MPG-Quest again.
Somebody pass the acetone...

 

The air getting into the engine is a little backwards - if the intake is restricted by the snorkle or the throttle it still is restricted. However the hotter air now means less dense air - bigger throttle opening to get the same power - less VACUUM thus less work on the pistons to suck the air in and better vaporization of the gasoline that doesn't want to evaporate in the first place. In a perfect world we should run the engine in a vacuum but the radiators don't work too well that way.

 

No snorkel and 3oz of acetone got me 32mpg last tank. It took two tanks to get there though. The first tank there was no change. In the previous four months of owning the car, I never got above 29.1mpg.
3700 miles, '06 auto.

 

Dang that box is still breaking in!

 

first off i cant believe how completely massive this thread has gotten. i just wanted to lay out my recent changes to my de-snorkled airbox. as posted elsewhere i got rid of the charcoal filter in the upper half of the of the box, just above the stock air filter. next i took out the air filter completely and put a cone air filter where the snorkel origionally connected. to stop TOO much warm air from finding its way to the engine i still have the flexible hose feeding the area with outside air. the new filter setup was a fun, well see if it makes any difference. pics

 

Heya dmpsk8, you want that warm/hot air to get into the intake, it helps the fuel combust more fully for better fuel efficiency, just my 2 cents.

 

interesting thought...have to play with it a bit

 

I believe one of the main reasons the snorkle removal improves mileage is because warmer air from the radiator and engine get into the intake. Again, just a thought.

 

thats funny, in all my years in building cars, the whole idea is to keep the intake temp as low as possible and the exhaust temp as high as possible. i.e. intercoolers and heat wrap the headers. i dont see how hot air can do anything for your motor other than rob hp. jmo