luckyhenriksen

iTrader: (1)

Damn you guys squeezin 25-30 MPG out of your F bodies- I can barely get 30 in my Jetta GLI, and it has a 6 speed too.

Shawn MacAnanny

iTrader: (12)

I used to get 28mpg on the highway when i had my H/C 01 Z06. It put down 465/422

Bo185

The DOD won't work with a T56. The tunes are just for the autos.



What gears are in the Car now???

LS2Monte

iTrader: (4)

The car was just too rotted to really deal with right now. I'm gonna keep an eye out for a similar model, again doing a build for fuel economy. 25+ would allow me to drive it everyday.

Keep the comments comin tho, the concept is not dead, just need a new chassis to apply it to.

subtlez28

iTrader: (15)

How about a 4dr, 78+, G-body Malibu? I think one could be done to look good and make kind of an american BMW. Plus they are pretty light, and the aftermarket support is there.

I think there should be more 4 door builds in general.

Geezer's Garage

Here's another report from the real world:

All-aluminum 5.3 with 4L60E in a 1987 535iS BMW. Weighs 3400 lbs, 3.25 gears with 24.5" tall tires. No tune yet on the LS2 intake and injectors. Getting 22 on the highway with some restraint on the loud pedal. Worst I've gotten is 19 with plenty of WOT runs.

The old 3.5 six cylinder only got about 24 mpg and that was on premium fuel so 22 on 87 grade works out about the same cost per mile. And 300 HP is a lot more fun than 170.

The Geezer

typhoon1110

i get around 22 on my stock yukon xl with the 5.3 on the highway

Stu Cool

iTrader: (13)

My car weighs about 3500 with the LS1/4L60E. With 3.80 gears and 28" tire I have gotten as high as 27 mpg with the cruise control on and AC running. Consistently gets 25+ on the highway. Heck, my 5.3 '01 Silverado gets 19-20 highway and it weighs 5000 pounds! Your goals should be easy to reach with a 5.3 in the Chevelle.

Pat

Kenova

iTrader: (4)

A wagon maybe?

Ken

gnx7

iTrader: (28)

The 4.8 is worthless with too small of a bore and simply not a performance motor. Get the 5.3 as they are selling for under $1K all day long complete with accessories/PCM and low miles. The 6.0 is thirsty and not worth the extra expense as they command a lot more too! 5.3 engines with a Z06 cam (used sell for under $100), upgraded springs, headers and tune will make around 375rwhp and achieve 25mpg+ with a T56. Automatics will never get the same mileage as the T56 with its double overdrive.

But a 12 second daily driver that can knock down 20mpg+ with little funds invested would be fun. 3:42 rear gear will still get good gas mileage with an automatic and be more in the engines powerband than crappy 2.73's.

Good luck....

shanekennedy

iTrader: (1)

i'm working on a similar project w/ a 68 camaro & a 5.3

goal is to get weight under 3000# & mpg as close to 30 as possible

using aluminum block/heads/tranny-case/drive-shaft/wheels/calipers/hubs/hats/master-cylinder & fiberglass hood for weight

using stainless works headers & hptuners for hp/tq boost

running 2.73 rear end & 17" 40 series tires



i think you'll be fine w/ 2.73's if you get it down to 3200#

my mom's '00 vette has 2.73's & is over 3200# w/ only 350hp/tq, she does have an aerodynamic advantage though

you should be able to get 350 hp/tq out of the 5.3 w/o any problems

Bo185

FYI The 4.8L is the same bore as a 5.3L just a shorter stroke! The stroke is 3.268 in. vs the standard Gen III 3.622 in. The blocks are the same between the two.

The 4.8l isn't that much of a dog with the shorter stroke you have to rev it more. Plus the 4.8L geared right will get a little better MPG. Plus no one wants them and they are cheaper than the 5.3L!!!