C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

How much MPG do you get?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 7, 2002 | 04:00 PM
  #1  
American Boy's Avatar
American Boy
Thread Starter
Pro
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 672
Likes: 0
From: Quebec
Default How much MPG do you get?

I am in the process of tuning my engine for MAX performance (L48) as I can get. Either for gas consuption or acceleration. The ignition is done; 34 degrees mecanical at 2500 RPM and 55 degrees total at the same RPM. The car runs great.

When I cruise in town with stop and go, I get around 12 MPG.
On the long trip I just did (a Corvette cruise), I got 17 MPG.

I have 3,07 rear end and a TH350 with a non-operational lock-up with a Quadrajet for carb.

I wonder if I could get better millage from playing with the carb; power piston spring, jets and rods.

Show me your numbers.

Stephan
Reply
Old May 7, 2002 | 04:08 PM
  #2  
KorbenDallas's Avatar
KorbenDallas
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,900
Likes: 2
From: Green Cove Springs FL
Default Re: How much MPG do you get? (American Boy)

I get about 8mpg, but I've got a 4sp right now and no OD. I frequent the highway @ 3500+ rpm and I'm running rich.

I think stock for '81 C3s gets 12mpg.
Reply
Old May 7, 2002 | 04:11 PM
  #3  
norvalwilhelm's Avatar
norvalwilhelm
Race Director
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
Likes: 12
From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Default Re: How much MPG do you get? (American Boy)

With a 460 cubic inch engine , a 8-71 blower, 2 850 double pumper carbs, 4.11 gears and overdrive transmission I get 12 mpg anytime around town without fouling plugs ever.
Reply
Old May 7, 2002 | 04:12 PM
  #4  
Chuck Harmon's Avatar
Chuck Harmon
Melting Slicks
25 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,286
Likes: 8
From: San Jose California
Default Re: How much MPG do you get? (American Boy)

I used to get that same mileage with my '79 L82 with 3.55 gears and Trubo 350. I would expect you to get a little better with the 3.07 gears. The only real way to know for sure on your setup is to use a chasis dyno with an A/F ratio measurement. Dial in your mixture at part throttle highway speeds, perhaps evenas high as 16:1; but, make sure your full throttle ratio drops to between 13-14 to 1 when you ask for it.

Chuck
Reply
Old May 7, 2002 | 04:15 PM
  #5  
Fevre's Avatar
Fevre
Race Director
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,322
Likes: 1
From: Living in the Hartland
Default Re: How much MPG do you get? (American Boy)

0

Of course my speedo/odo aren't working. :)

I think 55 degrees total timing is a bit much, actual way to much. I believe your total timing should be betweeen 36 and 38 degrees. Check Lars' tuning paper for exact spec's.
Reply
Old May 7, 2002 | 04:18 PM
  #6  
Fevre's Avatar
Fevre
Race Director
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,322
Likes: 1
From: Living in the Hartland
Default Re: How much MPG do you get? (Fevre)

I retract that statement about total timing. :bb
Reply
Old May 7, 2002 | 04:20 PM
  #7  
American Boy's Avatar
American Boy
Thread Starter
Pro
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 672
Likes: 0
From: Quebec
Default Re: How much MPG do you get? (Fevre)

Chuck

I'm going on a wheel dyno at the end of the month. I hope they have an A/F ratio thingy to check mine.

Fevre (I forgive you :D )

For others interested

The mecanical advance is only 34 degrees. When we speak of total advance, it include the mecanical and the vacuum. 55 degrees for the total was what I read somewhere on the forum and it's working great.


Stephan


[Modified by American Boy, 3:21 PM 5/7/2002]
Reply
Old May 7, 2002 | 04:24 PM
  #8  
verskel's Avatar
verskel
Safety Car
 
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 4,143
Likes: 0
Default Re: How much MPG do you get? (American Boy)

I'm running a Holley 3310 Vac. Sec. on a 427 B.B. with 'points' ignition.

My gas mileage :
On the highway ---> 14mpg on a good day (3:08 rearend) :D
In town -----------> 7-10mpg depending on traffic. :lol:
W.O.T. ------------> 3 mpg :eek:

Playing with timing & carb will help your gas mileage - but it's a trade-off. More power usually means less gas mileage unless you start 'swapping' parts on your motor to make it run more 'efficient'.
My friend's '82 crossfire averages a whopping 22mpg on the hwy. !!! :cheers:
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-4

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-5

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

 Joe Kucinski
Old May 7, 2002 | 05:01 PM
  #9  
Darkness's Avatar
Darkness
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,281
Likes: 5
From: Boston
Default Re: How much MPG do you get?

I get more like 15mpg with moderate driving in the city and 24 in highway, checked last year on trip to Seattle around 65mph.
At WOT I can see the gas neddle move

FroDaddy>>The 1981 R&T mag, had 16mpg on the L-81 4-speed i'll post a pic later today

norvalwilhelm>> 12 mpg's:confused: how come. I'm thinking more like 12 gallons per mile :lol:

Paul
Reply
Old May 7, 2002 | 05:04 PM
  #10  
challenger818's Avatar
challenger818
Instructor
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
From: Pg county MD
Default Re: How much MPG do you get? (American Boy)

For pete's sake.......your driving a Corvette. Your not suposed to care about gas milage. It's the journey that counts. On a more serious note, I can't figure what kind oF milage I get because:

1. Haven't gotten though a whole tank yet
2. Haven't driven it without mashing the gas at least once (usually more)
3. If I had to estimate, I would say I'm going to get around 12 MPG (including the foot to the floorboard driving) Man do I love this car!! :chevy
Reply
Old May 7, 2002 | 05:11 PM
  #11  
Taijutsu's Avatar
Taijutsu
Drifting
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,736
Likes: 37
From: Stockton Ca
Default Re: How much MPG do you get? (American Boy)

I have followed this subject before. A strong SB w/o OD can get 17-18 mpg depending. To get much more than that will require OD. This is not to say that very careful driving won't do better, but REAL WORLD " reasonable take off,cruising over limit" driving it's hard to beat the 17-18 and 22-24 w/OD. It all comes down to how hard do you put your foot into it! I want to join the 12 sec 20 mpg club. This will not happen w/o 5 speed trans.
Reply
Old May 7, 2002 | 05:15 PM
  #12  
burners's Avatar
burners
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,362
Likes: 7
From: Brazos TX
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
Default Re: How much MPG do you get? (American Boy)

I'm getting about 15 MPG and that's cruising at 80 to 95 most of the time, with 3.73 gears and a 4 spd. It's interesting, everytime someone brings up the subject somebody else pipes up about "who cares about gas mileage". Mileage is just another performance parameter to measure. So the point is "is it in tune", not "I don't care". I always check my mileage but when it comes to performance decisions, more power is the only way to go.
Reply
Old May 7, 2002 | 05:15 PM
  #13  
Alwyn678's Avatar
Alwyn678
Team Owner
 
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 43,136
Likes: 155
From: Thomson Georgia
Default Re: How much MPG do you get? (Taijutsu)

before the mods I was getting around 19 on the highway and 13 around town..I expect to be around 13hwy and 9 around town with everything i have changed...but who cares it will be FAST :smash: :cheers:
Reply
Old May 7, 2002 | 05:23 PM
  #14  
Fevre's Avatar
Fevre
Race Director
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,322
Likes: 1
From: Living in the Hartland
Default Re: How much MPG do you get? (burners)

burners

you must be reving abut 4000+ rpm's all the time with that set up. :eek:

I get scared at about 3500 on the highway, can just see a rod shooting out the hood/oil pan
Reply
Old May 7, 2002 | 05:32 PM
  #15  
Chuck Harmon's Avatar
Chuck Harmon
Melting Slicks
25 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,286
Likes: 8
From: San Jose California
Default Re: How much MPG do you get? (American Boy)

When I set up my 69 L46 lean, I was getting 22-24 mpg at a steady 70 mph cruise with 3.36 gears and 4 speed. The secondaries realy need to be rich to bring the mixture back down when you open them for power.

Chuck
Reply
Old May 7, 2002 | 06:10 PM
  #16  
Ingar, Norway's Avatar
Ingar, Norway
Racer
 
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 499
Likes: 0
From: Kristiansand
Default Re: How much MPG do you get? (American Boy)

Fixing the lockup will improve milage and make the trans run cooler.

With the TH350C I got 15mpg town, 17 freeway.
The new 700R4 is 18 town, 23 freeway (55mph).
This is with very careful driving of course.

The gas prices over here makes you try to increase milage, this is what I have done to my stock L48:

Removed all emission equipment. (egr, canister, pvc, air etc)
Adjusted the Qjet piston to the bottom position (as per Lars' instructions).
Removed AC compressor (no need for it here..)
Electric fan.
K&N filter.
Dynomax headers with 2 1/2 true dual freeflow exhaust, no cats.
Fixed all vacuum leaks.

Next is TPI...
Reply
Old May 7, 2002 | 06:15 PM
  #17  
PrarieShark's Avatar
PrarieShark
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,313
Likes: 0
From: The cure for the blues is eight cylinders roaring
Default Re: How much MPG do you get? (Ingar, Norway)

I get about 200 miles on a tank if Im lucky.I ahve two 600 hollys.th350 trans and 4.10 r/p.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To How much MPG do you get?

Old May 7, 2002 | 06:23 PM
  #18  
corvettemaster's Avatar
corvettemaster
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,700
Likes: 3
From: Lebanon KY
Default Re: How much MPG do you get? (American Boy)

I have 3,07 rear end and a TH350 with a non-operational lock-up with a Quadrajet for carb.
In my 81, with 3.07 gears, TH350C tranny (O.D. doesn't work), and a brand new, non-computer controlled Q-Jet, I get 12 mpg on interstate running about 70-75 MPH. I get 10 mpg on the highway runnin 50-55 MPH, and 6 mpg in the city. I usually get about 160 miles on a full 23 gallon tank. :p:
Reply
Old May 7, 2002 | 06:29 PM
  #19  
Pete79L82's Avatar
Pete79L82
Drifting
25 Year Member
Active Streak: 30 Days
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 1,824
Likes: 55
From: Shawano WI
Default Re: How much MPG do you get? (challenger818)

For pete's sake.......your driving a Corvette.
What has my sake got to do with anything? I lost it awhile ago and I am still looking for it. :lol: :yesnod: :lol:


I get 16 on the highway and absolutely terrible around town. But then again I like to hear the sound of the sidepipes echo off the buildings around town, That might have something to do with it.


[Modified by Pete79L82, 4:31 PM 5/7/2002]
Reply
Old May 7, 2002 | 06:32 PM
  #20  
PatsLs1vette's Avatar
PatsLs1vette
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 9,622
Likes: 16
From: absecon nj
Default Re: How much MPG do you get? (Pete79L82)

somewhere around 8-10 depending on how im driving
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:53 PM.

story-0
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-2
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-6
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-7
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-24 16:12:42


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

Slideshow: 10 major Corvette problems from the last 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-14 16:37:05


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

Slideshow: 5 most and least popular Corvette model years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-08 13:25:01


VIEW MORE