vMaster0fPuppets

iTrader: (6)

My 3400 fuddle is tuned to lock-up at about 38 in OD and somewhere around 33 in drive. Im wondering whats the best way to achieve higher fuel economy.

With a looser(i know 3400 is not that loose) converter, would it actually be more efficient to acclelerate a little quicker to get to lock-up or is granny drivng still prefereable?

I hear alot of people post about driving in D in the city, why is that exactly?

Would getting to lock-up 5 mph sooner outw2eight the benefit of the OD gear?

Anything lse anyone might have to say would be helpfull as well...

BlackHawk T/A

iTrader: (3)

Good post, I was about to look into this also.

I tried driving in D, and it does lockup a lot sooner which is great but there is one drawback - when locked, 35mph in 3rd pushes slightly more RPMs (maybe 100) than 40 does in 4th. However even with the 3.23 gear locked up at 40 in 4th is extremely tight and its hard to not lose speed going up hills, it just doesnt have the power. 3rd is more responsive but I would think you would take a hit to mileage?

So what is the best for city driving? D or OD?

Malko

iTrader: (2)

ttt I am seriously looking into this converter too (3.23 gears as well). I'll be in flat, sunny southwest florida 90% of the time so hills won't really bother me though.

Kenafin_02TA

I have a TCS4200 with 3.42 gears in mine...driving around town in D (or 3rd) is more beneficial to me because I don't have 4th lockup set until 50mph. 3rd lockup is 35mph. If I set my 4th lockup any lower then she's under 1500rpms when she locks and has no power or pull to her.

I imagine it's the same with a lot of other people...they hold off on going into 4th because 4th lockup would put them below their power band.

BlackHawk T/A

iTrader: (3)

With stock computer settings, lockup in 4th at 40 puts me at 1100rpm. Yeah you can imagine how it feels!

I'll try driving around in D, though i'm not sure what gets you better mileage, lugging your engine like that with next to no power to accelerate, or dropping back a gear and raising the RPMs about 500 or so?

vMaster0fPuppets

iTrader: (6)

the way i drive, I usually try to accelerate to whatever speed im goin to be at and have it lock up there. My car is set to lock up in OD at around 38mph. It seems to be easily controlled, because I have to let off the gas a decent amount for it to lock. from there, if i need to accelorate, a quick stab of the throttle will unlock the converter.

buffman

iTrader: (9)

well just have the converter lock up, get a vacuum gauge, find where you have the most vacuum and boom best mileage

vMaster0fPuppets

iTrader: (6)

sounds promising, but you lost me. Im not that mechanically inclined...
Please elaborate.

SmokeySS

iTrader: (7)

No related input - I just see that you're keeping your car. Kudos.

SVT THIS

iTrader: (27)

Who sets the lockup on the stall? I'm assuming the tuner? What are they set at when you install it without a tune (4000 stall)?

buffman

iTrader: (9)

While driving wherever your car will produce the most vacuum is where you'd be getting the best gas mileage. For instance if you engine was producing 14" of vacuum at 60mph, however while going 50mph your engine produces 18" of vacuum. Car would get better gas mileage at 50mph most of the time. I haven't gotten a chance to install my vacuum, so those are just stated examples. A bunch of my dad's friends tell me they used to install vacuum gauges in there daily driver cars so they could drive wherever they had the most vacuum. Of course you don't want to be driving 35mph down the highway but it's just another factor to consider when fuel economy is wanted

slimcracka

iTrader: (7)

well my best so far with the mods in sig. is 20.3334 mpg...and thats driving normal with maybe 2~3 short WOT blasts..but slow normal driving...not bad..i love it lol

BlackHawk T/A

iTrader: (3)

Neat trick...i'll have to talk with my tuner about that and see what we can do...

vMaster0fPuppets

iTrader: (6)

yea but... whats a vacuum guage, and how is one set up and read. lol I think you failed to realize the extent of my lack of mechanical inclination.


SmokeySS, Im still not really sure if i can keep the car. Im iun the process of getting a new job, awaiting two different court dates fighting 10 points alltogether, and depsrereaty attempting to dig myslef out of the financial whole ive created for myself. I have to see whats up after all this blows over. I dont want to sell it, but I may have to. ****** gas prices...