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Old Dec 27, 2008 | 03:50 PM
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Default Big Block?

I currently own a 350 putting out 420 HP in my '80. I get anywhere from 12-14 MPG now...idle smoothly at 800, still streetable but mainly a weekend cruiser. I've come across a great on a BB 502.

Curious: what kind of MPG do all you BB owners out there get? Still streetable?

Thanks
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Old Dec 29, 2008 | 10:45 AM
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My 427, (mildly built, cam, headers, 800cfm) gets around 5-6 mpg, If your small block is making that kind of HP and milage, I would leave it alone.
My 2 cents

(I should mention that it has 411 gears and a M22)

Last edited by 427basketcase; Dec 29, 2008 at 01:01 PM.
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Old Dec 29, 2008 | 12:03 PM
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Putting 480hp on a 454 30 over. Getting about the same as you city driving. Getting 17+ on the highway. I have to use 93octane.
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Old Dec 29, 2008 | 12:05 PM
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Originally Posted by Joe Buck
I currently own a 350 putting out 420 HP in my '80. I get anywhere from 12-14 MPG now...idle smoothly at 800, still streetable but mainly a weekend cruiser. I've come across a great on a BB 502.

Curious: what kind of MPG do all you BB owners out there get? Still streetable?

Thanks
You had it dyno'd at 420? Flywheel or rear?
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Old Dec 29, 2008 | 12:07 PM
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crate 454 from gm in my 66 gets an honest 12=13 in town and 15 on the road and even better in od with a keisler. i have a 336 rear. 425 horse with a 750 holley hp carb. it did a little better with a 750 street avenger carb but i have better performance with the double pumper...........i run REGULAR gas with 8-3/4 compression and true 500 lbs torque at 3200 rpm!

Last edited by midyearvette; Dec 29, 2008 at 12:10 PM.
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Old Dec 29, 2008 | 12:35 PM
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Originally Posted by Joe Buck
I currently own a 350 putting out 420 HP in my '80. I get anywhere from 12-14 MPG now...idle smoothly at 800, still streetable but mainly a weekend cruiser. I've come across a great on a BB 502.

Curious: what kind of MPG do all you BB owners out there get? Still streetable?

Thanks
Hi Joe,
I've got an LS-5 (BB 454) daily driver mostly stock with a 750cfm edelbrock, edelbrock intake mild cam and side exhaust.
I have a 3.55 rear on 27" tall rears 4sp and get 12 with mostly highway driving. I do run it hard passing accelerating and such and still get 12. My biggest complaint is I can't get more gas in the tank so I can drive farther.
I'm running regular with my 8.5:1 by the way and the car is extremely streetable!!! I own a few of 327/350 sorts, for a performance car, I personally am not going to go with anything else but a big block from now on if I want to balance street use and performance.

jeff

Last edited by JOs71Corvette; Dec 29, 2008 at 12:38 PM.
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Old Dec 29, 2008 | 02:17 PM
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.

The following BB engine.. L72 in a 1968 Camaro with T 400, factory air conditioning and 4-11 final drive gets 14 mpg with 93 octane fuel.
.
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Old Dec 29, 2008 | 04:15 PM
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I get 14 cruising @ 70, 3:55's, solid roller, factory trips
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Old Dec 29, 2008 | 04:46 PM
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'69 427/435 bored .030 over with L88 cam and 4.11 rear = 6mpg no matter how it's driven...easy or fast. Maybe 125 miles to a tank of 93 octane.

For your car...if it ain't broken, don't fix it. If the 502 is a great deal, buy it and use it for another car or resell it for a profit.
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Old Dec 29, 2008 | 05:50 PM
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My 68 427/390 with a Turbo 400 and a 3:08 rear end isn't bad at all. About 17mpg on the highway and 10 around town. If you stay out of those coke can sized secondaries and cruise on the small primaries it isn't much worse than my small block cars.
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Old Dec 29, 2008 | 06:12 PM
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Originally Posted by 427basketcase
My 427, (mildly built, cam, headers, 800cfm) gets around 5-6 mpg, If your small block is making that kind of HP and milage, I would leave it alone.
My 2 cents

(I should mention that it has 411 gears and a M22)
Agreed, I see about 190hp if that and achieve similar MPG. I'd stick with that former.
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