Emission control questions

[agr071]

Do the emission controls REALLY affect a vehicle THAT much?

My HZ has electronic ignition and no vacuum advance connected (currently at 12 deg). The pollution book says that it should have a vacuum going to it whilst cruising in top gear.

It had been disconnected before my purchase so there is virtually nothing there. but they say that the emissions are there for better fuel economy and performance. (My gearbox doesn't even have a top gear switch).

SO, are they talking about huge amount of difference or is it only miniscule that it's not worth worrying about.

[SLR_dave]

Emissions regulations are not famed for increasing engine performance. I think a bit more info is needed agr071. What gearbox, what engine? But whatever the case is, the most tried way to increase fuel economy is to go light on the pedal, I'd imagine that's the variable that will make the biggest difference.

[agr071]

Its a 308/Trimatic (was 308/Turbo 400), but I was curious that if it had full advance at cruise speed, that it'd make much difference.
I realise that it won't be real economical, after all it is a "Hamburger with the lot" (ie 308, auto, air, steer)

[Big Rob]

It's not going to affect your economy much, but why not connect it and see whether you get a tiny bit more performance at wide open throttle because of a bit more spark advance?
Everything written back in those dark ages was to appease the government regulation authorities... If the car manufacturer looked like it was trying to save the world some petrol then the government was happy. The buyer got nothing but poor performance and questionable economy.

[SLR_dave]

Just revisiting this thread, I dunno if they work but maybe, if you are really tryna grab just a bit more fuel economy you could maybe (as a wild card) try a Hiclone. I first saw this product around fifteen years ago (I think it was the Melbourne motor show) but I have never seen it in use, or owned one.

It was around 25 bucks back then, but it seems the price has crept up heaps! (perhaps development to fit it to different carbies was expensive - to be fair, that seems potentially possible) From memory the efficiency improvements they claimed were between 5 and 10 percent, I wanted one heaps for my HJ wagon (then a 202), but alas, on a musicians wage, 25 bucks was better spent on food at the Melbourne markets. (Awh us Aussies do it hard hey? 15 Mangos for ten bucks...)

Anyway I reckon someone must have tried a Hiclone but it probably should have its own thread, so I'll start one. It may be a dud thread but maybe the thing actually works, I honestly dont know.

[Sandaro]

My understanding was that emission controls primary purpose was to reduce emissions, not petrol consumption. In fact the measures Holden took (very evident in HX, slightly improved in HZ) stiffled power/performance and increased fuel ecomony