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Gas Mileage Build Question

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Old Apr 17, 2013 | 10:06 PM
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Default Gas Mileage Build Question

I may be trading for a l33 aluminum block and im debating on building an engine with one goal in mind, GAS Mileage!! im wondering things like what camshaft, should I build as a 4.8 or 5.3? or something else?? also what would be a cheap car to do this on, datson 280 or similar maybe?? just brainstorming on my options here
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Old Apr 18, 2013 | 03:45 AM
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Anything small/light....I've been thinking here lately about picking up an old MGB and doing a swap in it for my daughter after I get a few other projects done... She is only 12, so I have time lol

Ls6 intake would be all you'd need for on top
Manual tranny will help out more too specially if you run a newer 6 speed.
Really good ported heads but still keeping the ports on the small side like a set of 5.3 heads or even as much a AFR 205.
I'd look for a cam somewhere around a 228 to a max of 230 degrees duration, keep lift at or under .600" and a wider 115-116lsa.
You really won't see much fuel mileage difference between a 4.8, 5.3, 5.7 or even a 6.0 in such a small car so I'd opt for the largest one I could find for a good price...iron block will add about 100-120 pounds, but it would be cheaper to pick up an iron 6.0 than an aluminum 5.7, then you could put the money you save back into lighter/better suspension.
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Old Apr 18, 2013 | 01:12 PM
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Miata

Super lightweight, fairly aerodynamic, small narrow tires for less rotating mass and less rolling resistance, go with a .50 6th gear and tall rear end ratio.

For the engine: An aluminum 4.8, small cathedral port heads, small custom cam, FAST 102, headers, free flowing exhaust, and a very, very good tune. Small diameter Twin disk clutch with a lightweight flywheel.

Even with a lightweight flywheel and skinny tires and a small motor, It shouldn't be very difficult to drive and should still get traction and still move out. Lightweight is the key to having your cake and eating it too.
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Old Apr 18, 2013 | 07:19 PM
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yeah Miata would be the bomb. I was thinking maybe a datson 280z or something. I just got an aluminum 5.3HO motor I believe its l33. just need a 799 head and its pretty much complete
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Old Apr 21, 2013 | 01:28 PM
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Go for the highest dynamic compression ratio u can to get more power per unit fuel. Look for an electric a/c compressor and try to run it off solar cells if you can (75% or more of a/c usage is when there is good sunlight) as well as electric power steering. Roller bearing everything you can, carbon fibre everything you can. Are you concerned with strictly gas mileage or dollar mileage (how many miles per dollar of fuel)? If its cost, build the fuel system and tuning to be e85 compatible, that way, if it becomes cheap enough, you can use it and still be going further per dollar of fuel. Id put all this in like a fiero or somethinf
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