I am considering using my RX8 to get to the bus 3 miles from my house every day. This trip is short and does not even get my car warm. The mileage is terrible, and I cannot even imagine the sludge that builds up in the manifold. The best solution that I can think of is a block heater.

But how hot to go?

Then it occurred to me --- Hybrid.

Electricity and fuel both heat the engine. When the car sits, the energy used to heat the block melts into the environment as the water cools.

If I could inject that thermal energy into the car before driving it electrically, then I do not use fuel to heat the block, "saving" gas. Mileage will improve due to the injection of walplug energy.

Hence a "hybrid" that uses electricity from the wall to heat the block, saving me gas and extending car life.

Has anybody got RX8 experience with a block heater?

Here are some heater experimental results from other cars;


http://www.metrompg.com/posts/block-heater.htm

http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showt...t=35915&page=3

 

Great idea. I've notice that my car still takes several minutes (10+) to get it's best fuel economy after the coolant is warmed up. Regardless though, the fuel economy untill the coolant is hot is terrible. AFRs are terrible, and I dread the effect of carbon buildup.

If you do use a block heater then you must put it on a timer so that it clicks on with enough time to warm up the coolant, but is not on so long it's wasting electricity. Also you must remember to unplug it before you go anywhere, remembering to plug it in is not as crucial.

I imagine this would be one of the best MPG mods available. Tell us how it goes!