Fuel mileage?

[Lt.Del]

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.

[choptop]

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.

[joesgarage71]

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.

[Stewart G Griffin]

Chop, what size, brand, and model tires are you running.  Also at what psi?

[choptop]

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.

[Dragon]

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....

[Captkaos]

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.

[Irish_Alley]

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.

[Dragon]

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)......

[frogman68]

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

[Irish_Alley]

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

[Big O Dave]

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.