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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => 73-87 Chevy & GMC Trucks => Topic started by: Plunkett on December 28, 2008, 08:09:48 pm
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I'm looking into buying a 77 chevy k10 4x4 with a 400sbc, 31x10.50x.15 tires, and stock gears. The guy is saying that it gets close to 14mpg and I don't believe this for a minute. I was just wondering what a truck like that would get for fuel mileage.
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A well tuned engine getting 14mpg isnt out of the question. Alot of it depends on the amount a pressure applied to the skinny pedal. My 86 gmc 2wd gets around 20, not sure on the 4x4 yet, but it doesnt seem un realistic to get 14 or better.
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I agree...driving habits make a huge difference. I noticed a huge difference in mileage when I went from driving 70mph to driving 55mph on long trips. I also tried to be easy on the pedal when taking off and did my best to "play the light" when I could.
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14mpg is not unrealistic it all depend on how heavy the right foot is ;D
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14mpg is not unrealistic it all depend on how heavy the right foot is ;D
Yep, his foot can be completely different from yours, so realistically he could...
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in my 86 4x2 with a 350 i gave her heck and some how managed to get 14. it also depends on what brand gas you use it may sound weird but i was getting only 12 mpg with the cheap stuff like 10 cents under everyone else but when i tried gas it wasn't the most expensive but close to it in the area i went up to 14. since this post is up I'm only getting well last time i checked only 4mpg what would help that more a BB or more power to the Sb or diesel and i don't want to hear "take the tires off" lol. another question whats the stock tq to a 350?
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in my 86 4x2 with a 350 i gave her heck and some how managed to get 14. it also depends on what brand gas you use it may sound weird but i was getting only 12 mpg with the cheap stuff like 10 cents under everyone else but when i tried gas it wasn't the most expensive but close to it in the area i went up to 14. since this post is up I'm only getting well last time i checked only 4mpg what would help that more a BB or more power to the Sb or diesel and i don't want to hear "take the tires off" lol. another question whats the stock tq to a 350?
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I'll agree with everyone else on the driving habits. When I put my rebuilt 350 in, I drove it like a bat out of heck for the first tank and got around 9-11 mpg. I filled up, drove like a grandpa, and got about 18-20 mpg.
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Thanks for all the replys. What do yall think the fuel mileage would be on a 81 k10 silverado 350/350 turbo transmission, stock gears, and 33" tires would be, assuming that I was light on the gas.
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stock gears, and 33" tires
stock gears could mean several different ones. If it is a tall gear, say 3:08, with 33" tires, you will have terrible city mpg, but good highway. With a 3.73 rear with 33" tires, better city, not as good highway. If you are really light on the gas, ummm 16-18 (guess)?
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15mpg isn't out of the question if you are driving it normal
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in my 86 4x2 with a 350 i gave her heck and some how managed to get 14. it also depends on what brand gas you use it may sound weird but i was getting only 12 mpg with the cheap stuff like 10 cents under everyone else but when i tried gas it wasn't the most expensive but close to it in the area i went up to 14. since this post is up I'm only getting well last time i checked only 4mpg what would help that more a BB or more power to the Sb or diesel and i don't want to hear "take the tires off" lol. another question whats the stock tq to a 350?
I didnt realize my post came up blank, what I meant to say is my 86 GMC Ex cab gets abot 20 mpg driven normally, which is hard for me most of the time, but somehow easy in this one. Now I havent figured my 85 K1500 yet. I know the speedo is way off with the 38's, it shows 35 when my gps shows 55mph. I know the tires do have alot of affect on mileage. From what I have figured, the engine needs to be around 2200-2500 rpms at 65-70 mph to be in the proper range as to not lug the engine, so regearing is a possibility. The thing about bigger tires is the same as driving a 1 ton expecting to get the mileage of a half ton. It doesnt make sense. Besides, you have to pay to play.
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I agree that driving habits play a major role in gas mileage, thats what I ment about the right foot. If I drive my truck right it gets about 14mpg local and in town and about 18 to 20 on the highway. I also think the grade gas makes a difference, my father has a 82 4x4 and it gets better mileage on the higher grade gas.
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im running about 2k @ 50 and i think about 24k @ 70. i try not to go that fast so i cant remember what the numbers are. it also don't go no higher than 70 idk why but it just don't if i press the petal any farther down it lugs it. but anyway im not asking how to get 20 mpg with the 38's just asking what to do to get better ex. if you take a 454 and drop it in a car that used to have a 350 your mpg goes up so would it go up more if i was to drop a BB, diesel or upgrade the Sb maybe 383 or something along those lines. the 350 thats in there now is the same one that used to get 14 in the 86
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I also think the grade gas makes a difference, my father has a 82 4x4 and it gets better mileage on the higher grade gas.
Well considering most Lower Grade Gas has more Garbage, mid grade has less, and the Higher Grades even less, then yes that is possible.... If you throw into the mix the brand quality, then you would be more likely to see better mileage by using a Higher Priced Brand(Chevron/Texaco), as opposed to the Lowest Price Brand(Arco/BP/Citgo/Etc)... Even the lower grade Higher Priced Brand will offer better results, than the lower grade lower priced brand....
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If you throw into the mix the brand quality, then you would be more likely to see better mileage by using a Higher Priced Brand(Chevron/Texaco), as opposed to the Lowest Price Brand(Arco/BP/Citgo/Etc)... Even the lower grade Higher Priced Brand will offer better results, than the lower grade lower priced brand....
I was always under the impression that oil companies make no difference in product and mpg. In fact, I have heard that all different oil companies buy from other companies. In other words, getting gas from Exxon you may be getting from the pumps the same thing as Citgo on any given day. Or, buying from Chevron will give you the same thing as what comes from the BP pumps.
I know Mobil and Exxon are the same.
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I cant speak for other areas, but around here, most of the gas comes from the same refinery. The cost depends on shipping and the establishment itself. Kinda strange, but the fuel is higher in the town that has the refinery than it is here 50 miles away??? the grade of fuel affecting the engine performance depends on the engine. If its higher compression engine using low grade fuel, then I cold understand a possible problem. High octane fuel in a motor w/ 8.5:1 compression or less is a waste of money, Probably 9:1 for that matter. Regardless, the fuel company I worked for as a teen got its fuel from the same tanks at the refinery as our competetor up the street.
As far as increasing fuel economy, increasing the efficiency of the engine will help here. Upgraded intake, exhaust, carburation, ignition all will have a affect on this. Being able to look at your plugs and tell if you re running rich or lean, possibly getting a cam that fits the type of work the engine is doing. With 38's, I figure a torquer cam versus a horsepower cam. Overall, just increase the efficiency of the engine.
The tires have allot of rolling resistance, running them at their max cold inflated pressure will help some. If your alignment is out, that will effect it. Also,how are you figuring your mileage. Is the odometer re-calibrated for the tires. I have had to track some of my vehicles with my gps because the odometer is off due to tire size. If you are trying to go by the Odo without it being re-calibrated, this will through you numbers way off.
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If you throw into the mix the brand quality, then you would be more likely to see better mileage by using a Higher Priced Brand(Chevron/Texaco), as opposed to the Lowest Price Brand(Arco/BP/Citgo/Etc)... Even the lower grade Higher Priced Brand will offer better results, than the lower grade lower priced brand....
In other words, getting gas from Exxon you may be getting from the pumps the same thing as Citgo on any given day. Or, buying from Chevron will give you the same thing as what comes from the BP pumps.
The gas is the same it is the additives that are different. some cost more than otherts like Exxon and chevron they are top tier gas.
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Chop, what size, brand, and model tires are you running. Also at what psi?
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Chop, what size, brand, and model tires are you running. Also at what psi?
right now I have thw 38x12.50.TSL Superswampers. Not really sure on the psi, I havent checked them since they are just temporary, I ordered a set of 35x12.50 BF Goodrich KM2's for it that should be in mid January. I usually run max recommended cold psi or close to, in my tires, but most of my trucks are loaded or get loaded quite often. I had run lower pressures in the past, and it cost me alot of unnecassary wear, once I started running max, they lasted alot longer. I know some people run low pressure to help the ride, but I bought a truck, not a Cadillac, so I dont expect a cushy ride.
My 86 has 18's on it, but I cant remember the size right now. The fronts are the same heighth as stock, the rears are 1 inch bigger. I can get the sizes if you want them.
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If you throw into the mix the brand quality, then you would be more likely to see better mileage by using a Higher Priced Brand(Chevron/Texaco), as opposed to the Lowest Price Brand(Arco/BP/Citgo/Etc)... Even the lower grade Higher Priced Brand will offer better results, than the lower grade lower priced brand....
In other words, getting gas from Exxon you may be getting from the pumps the same thing as Citgo on any given day. Or, buying from Chevron will give you the same thing as what comes from the BP pumps.
The gas is the same it is the additives that are different. some cost more than otherts like Exxon and chevron they are top tier gas.
Joe is correct, the gas originally might come from the same place, but the different Higher Name Brands add their own additives to the mix.... The additives can make a difference with Performance and MPG's, or lack there of..... Personal experience, if I run a tank of Arco/BP/Citgo and a tank of Chevron/Texaco/Exxon, I always see almost if not double the mileage with the better gas....
***Edit, Sorry I had to fix that mug up!! Dang Iphone has a mind of it's own for posting.... :-X
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The gas is the same it is the additives that are different. some cost more than otherts like Exxon and chevron they are top tier gas.
Ditto! The additives are the only difference. Refineries are regional, gas companies just add their additives to it.
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i ended up getting one of them digital dashboards from Chris that how i found this site, so its calibrated to the tires. so what your saying is just modding the Sb would be my best bang for the buck.
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i ended up getting one of them digital dashboards from Chris that how i found this site, so its calibrated to the tires. so what your saying is just modding the Sb would be my best bang for the buck.
The Old Rodders Saying that a SBC is like a Belly-button cause everyone has one is true, and because of it's popularity, parts new/used can be had for practically nothing(In Automotive Terms, SBC parts cost less than a BBC/MoPar/Ford/Etc since there is plenty of Aftermarket & GMPP support)......
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i ended up getting one of them digital dashboards from Chris that how i found this site, so its calibrated to the tires. so what your saying is just modding the Sb would be my best bang for the buck.
My son and I are doing a 350 rebuild and so far (havent got the block back quote was 400 bucks) we have a little less than 1200 for the engine that should do around 330 hp and almost 400 ft lbs of torque ( I didnt do the math I used this http://www.compcams.com/camquest/default.asp)
And the quality time me and my son get is Priceless :)
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well it turns out that i lied cause I'm getting 8mpg idk how, maybe it had something to do with taking the Sb out of the back lol
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My '76 C20 with a 350, Turbo 350 and 4.10 gears will hit 14mpg on the highway, if I don't get too crazy with speed.
It also helps to have headers, AFR heads, a Performer RPM/Qjet and a 2000 Vortec 350 hydraulic roller cam. 8)