2.3l Bad Gas Mileage?

dekoy411 · 10-04-2006

I have an 86 mustang lx with the 2.3l and i get horrible gas mileage. I use it about 85% for going to school so its always stop and go but still im only getting 14-16mpg. Usally 16mpg but isnt that really bad for the 2.3l n/a? I do rev it higher but it still seems bad to me i was just wondering what you guys thought about it.

5.0ForLife · 10-12-2006

Give it a good tune up. And, most importantly cut out your Catalytic converter
and have a straight pipe put in. I had a 4 spd car the same as yours, and after I cut out the cat It ran WAY better, and had better mileage.

dekoy411 · 10-13-2006

I thought that the car wouldnt pass smog with out the Catalytic converter in it. And does the Catalytic converter actually do something positive that would make me want to keep it?

5.0ForLife · 10-13-2006

Oh! We don't have that emissions crap up north here. Cats are useless, unless
you need to pass emissions.

Blind_Guardian · 10-15-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5.0ForLife

Oh! We don't have that emissions crap up north here.

Dont ya just love it? hehe

5.0ForLife · 10-15-2006

Oh yes! In fact in Saskatchewan, as long as a vehicle has been registered within
the last 5 years you don't even have to saftey it when it changes owners. I
Love it!!

dekoy411 · 10-20-2006

Man i wish i lived in canada i have smog tests. Where i live it was suppose to move each year so if ur car was 20 yrs or older it wouldnt have to have a smog test ran but they stoped doing that. Maybe they will start doing it again but i doubt it.

cantthink29 · 11-25-2006

Get a tune-up, check your air filter(put in a K&N), replace your 02 sensor, and make sure your tires are properly inflated. I know I sound like a cheesy commercial or something, but those are the things u want to check before thinking about chopping off your cat

mustangkyle · 02-06-2007

i get about the same gas milege (15mpg) in my 90 2.3 and i just rebuilt the motor from the head up.it didnt get any better gas milege after that either.i have a a gutted cat and a bunch of other mods.do the other mods have anything to do with it.(cold air,header,custom exhaust, thats about all for engine mods) is it possible that when i did the head gasket i got the timing off a couple degrees?would that even effect it?

evintho · 02-06-2007

dekoy411,
Everything cantthink29 said and run some seafoam through it and instead of chopping off your cat, replace it with a high-flow cat. Catco makes a good/inexpensive one that you can get through www.summitracing.com. Definitely a full tune-up, check your timing and check for deteriorated vacuum hoses that would cause a vacuum leak.

troycowan · 02-13-2007

i have this same problem in my ninety one lx. i have had it tested and they said that it needs new egr valve and o2 sensors.

**74stang2togo** · 02-14-2007

Since your '86 is the carbureted 2.3, (assuming nobody has done an engine swap and upgraded to EFI) then 14-16mpg or so isn't too bad in town for a car that old. A good tune up, maybe a carburetor rebuild and tuning and either gutting the factory cat or going for a high-flow one will all help, but don't expect to hit the 20mpg mark (in-town) unless you short-shift regularly and baby the go-pedal. The old carbureted 2.3s really shined on the highway with 25mpg or better not being out of the question, but in-town they're like any other carbureted car and tend to be quite a bit thirstier than their EFI counterparts. My EFI '88 Mustang 2.3 could do 21mpg in town no problem, and nearly 30mpg on the highway until the tranny lost overdrive and 3rd, but my '74 with it's carbureted 2.3 was lucky to see 17mpg in town, but could do 32mpg highway when it was stock, I have no clue what she does fuel mileage-wise with all of my modifications. (probably a lot worse).

Some parts that'll help your 2.3 be a little less thirsty are:

Spark Plugs: NGK V-power Part #TR5-1 (Source #7060, some parts stores use NGK's part number, others use the source number)

Plug Wires: Motorcraft Part #WR4011C

Air Filter: K&N Part #E1200

The NGK V-power plugs seem to be the best for the 2.3 overall, with Bosch Platinum (single electrode, not the +2 or +4) being a close second, though the NGKs will usually last longer in a carbureted engine.

The Motorcraft Wires are the best direct-fit wires you'll find for your 2.3, to do any better you'll have to buy a universal set from MSD, Accel, Mallory, etc. and cut and crimp to fit (not something I'd recommend to an absolute beginner unless you had help from someone who's done it a time or two).
The K&N filter can make a difference, but it's likely to be no more than .2-.5mpg in-town and with a carbureted engine.