I have a 90 camaro with a 3.1. She aint much but she be mine. I don’t feel like making any major modifications right now because it runs like I want and it handles like I want for a daily driven car. My big problem is that the fuel economy has been blowing all the goats on the farm lately. My last tank of mostly city driving got me 18 mpg and I am got going to get any where near that on this tank.
I have tried driving like a granny, I pulled all the plugs and they look good. I have been checking my Tire pressure once a week and have the at the factory pressure. Air filter is good and I am thinking making some modifications to the filter housing to get more air in there. The car came with a "Track Pipe" so I know that the cat isn’t plugged. I am wondering if I have a messed up scencer but I have no idea on how to figger out witch one it is.
Please If you get any ideas give’em to me.

 

Search for the "Tomp tune up". Or since project85 had the link recently, he will post it again.

But replace the sp wires, and the o2 sensor(with a delco one) will more then likely be your best bet.

Also, driving like Grandma isnt the key to mpg, its driving the fastest you can in the efficency range of your engine. And every engine is different. To learn this, you will need to install an inside vacume gauge, and watch it while you drive.

BTW, welcome to TGO

 

And after you finish spending a week doing a "tune up" (more like OVERHAUL)and the car runs exactly the same with the same poor mileage... You can come back in here and ask again. 3.1's aren't all that economical to begin with. A thirdgen is a very heavy piece of material for an engine that small to carry. Frequently normal in town driving will give results of 12-17mpg. Highway mileage will be considerably better but still not as high as a newer car with a 3100.

I would highly recommend estimating your actual gas mileage by miles travelled and gas consumed in a mixed city/highway driving style and then compare to other people here before you go off repairing things that probably don't need repair.

Everyone here assumes that every last one of these cars is garbage to begin with and needs a complete tune up. In most cases, unless the parts have failed you're removing good parts to install new parts. You won't see a difference except your wallet will be lighter and you'll feel better cause you worked on your car. It's better to evaluate the car yourself, inspect the parts and make the decision at that time if they need to be replaced. Arbitrary replacement of parts without quantifying their existing condition is counter effective. The 'tune up' has been preached on this forum almost as long as the 3.4L swap, and neither are nearly as effective as they're hyped.

 

All the poster commented on was poor gas milage and looking at the plugs. I know for damn sure I replaced my o2 before and got better mpg. As well as just a few weeks ago I noticed a difference in plug wires alone.

So untill they have done that, and checked the several other things, neither you nor I know what is best for that car. But they need to find that list and go over it.

The 3.4 swap, while it doesnt give the locamotive pull like before, you can feel a power difference, and peace of mind knowing I had an engine with less then 1/4 the miles of the one I pulled out.

As for mpg, when mine is running right and not ******* it, I get over 20 in town, and have pulled a TRUE CALCULATED 32mpg on the highway fully loaded with 2.5 people and luggage.

 

well, since it was brought up.......................

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/v6/6...or-tuneup.html

 

No, not overhaul, major tuneup. (laughs) It's a list of items that people usually forget about (such as timing or trans fluid or distributor cap or cleaning the throttle body).

I don't bend anyone's arm backward to replace or do everything on my list! But chances are pretty good that those items/settings are worn out when someone buys a used car- and that's for ANY car, unless the car is 2 years old OR a ton of money as a "low mileage garaged well maintained rust free beauty".

Although you are right about the economy part; a small V6 engine pushing a heavy car is never going to have good gas mileage.

 

That'll leave you with exactly the same MPG as the ECM adjusts the injector pulses to compensate.

O2 sensor is always a good idea to improve economy. Not saying it'll help but it is a major sensor that contributes to poor economy when it's old.

Injector cleaning/flow test will help (if they're clogged to begin with).

Check EGR system, and ensure the ignition is in tip top shape.

Do TomP's tuneup, it really does help.

 

I had come up wit ha sure fire way to fight hi gas prices. Start a rumor about a protest at the refinery so they go down. DON"T DO THAT.
The police come to your house and
threaten that the FBI is gonna take you in the rubber hose room and get the truth out of ya, so speak up now before they hafta come. I had to explain for 20 mins that it was a fake rumor 99% made up with no real meaning.

 

Kinda OT but was a true "Poor economey ideas"