Anyway, I'm wondering if the G35 "crappy mileage" being widely criticized is due in large part to the inherent design of the engine and the gear selection that works so well with the engine to produce that great feel of power.

Since friction increases as the square of speed, high piston speeds will incur high frictional losses.

I know that Honda and Nissan pull a lot of tricks from their racing experience to minimize frictional losses like roller bearing cam followers and molybdenum coated moving parts. But the laws of physics must have their pound of fuel. And frictions a b!tch unless you're having sex.

LOL the F22C mileage sucks. It's a 2.2L in a car that weighs 2,800 lbs. I get between 20-23 mpg in my daily commute. In ideal conditions, the car can get maybe 30 mpg.

By contrast, my Vette with 6 spd manual could achieve 28-30 mpg under ideal conditions and my 3,700 lb GTO could hit 25-26 mpg. Of course both those cars unlike the S2000 and G35 had gearing that was extremely compromised. GM chose gearing that would keep the engines rolling over at 1,800 rpm on the highway for EPA ratings but was totally mismatched to the engines power curve. A compromise at least partially concealed with gobs of torque.

I suspect that Honda and Infiniti chose the opposite compromise, fuel economy was sacrificed for the driving experience. I like that better.

 

I doubt I'll go FI as I'd be worried about killing the feel of the car. If I did, it would likely be a mild turbo setup for the efficiency. 300 hp would yield < 10lbs / hp. But, I really like the linear feel of a NA engine.

 

Spud, the smaller turbos that 'spool late' on most cars spool very early on the F22C. GT30Rs, which is considered a pretty decent turbo (~450whp EVO/STI) spools at around 4000 RPM. 4000 RPM is nothing in a S2K

the SC kits will actually smooth out the powerband even more, as you're getting a tune with them in most cases. It'll feel just as good, if not better than before; the only difference is that it'll be much faster.

I've driven a few high boost Kraftwerks cars... think your s2k with more torque than a VQ, but with the s2k's rev-happiness and power delivery.


Your F22C MPG will increase as you drive more.. as I said before, you're not broken in yet. I average about ~25 combined, and I have a CR. Locals can attest that I don't putz around town . Pure freeway at 80 yields about 28-30. When I took my spoilers off, I was averaging over 32 on the fwy at that speed.

During the initial break-in, I got 36 MPG on my first tank. >4000RPM the whole time.

4200RPM @ 80 FTL... =P

 

Part of my mileage problem in the daily commute is a 33 mile trip that can take 1:30. Painful. I will actually take a 40 mile route on back roads just to avoid I95 and the Merrit Parkway. It takes 1:10 but it's a beautiful drive with the S on some tight n twisty New England roads. I get to play once in a while. Better than staring at truck bumpers or waiting to get picked off by an Escalade.

 

+1

less time + more engaging drive.

Plus, less chance of an accident