Head/Cam impact on MPG?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,890
Likes: 0
From: Cocoa Florida
Head/Cam impact on MPG?
Well, I finally feel interested in saving up enough to possibly go heads/cam. I was thinking something 230s duration, right around 600 lift. Something drivable but still chunky and fun.
With a supporting tune, and some nice 1 3/4 long tubes.
I was wondering though, right now I get approx 26 mpg, what would I be at after that? I am hearing estimates that that duration and lift cuold knock anywhere from 3 to 8 mpg off my car.
It is a daily driver, and covers 100 miles a day, so I don't really want to lose THAT much.
Input? Suggestions?
With a supporting tune, and some nice 1 3/4 long tubes.
I was wondering though, right now I get approx 26 mpg, what would I be at after that? I am hearing estimates that that duration and lift cuold knock anywhere from 3 to 8 mpg off my car.
It is a daily driver, and covers 100 miles a day, so I don't really want to lose THAT much.
Input? Suggestions?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 5,749
Likes: 20
From: Liberty Hill Texas
well.. I use my coupe as my DD. In December I had LGM put in their G5XE cam, LG Streets, high flow cats and associated x-pipe. I did not do heads or change from the stock LS1 intake. My mileage (as specified via the DIC) went from roughly 24.8 during my commutes to 23.8-24 (MPG) on my commutes. I imagine it would go down slightly more if I did heads and intake as well.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,903
Likes: 1
From: You know your drunk when you swerve to miss the tree then you realize its your air freshener! Covington Ga
I have every bolt on you can do and a MS3 cam 237/242 .609 112LSA(stock heads). I get around 20mpg on the highway and 15mpg city
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,890
Likes: 0
From: Cocoa Florida
Ouch, so I would take a hit with a higher lift cam... sheesh... thanks guys
Maybe Ill just get the headers and make it sound like I have a cam and be done with it... driving 100 miles a day that would add up.
Maybe Ill just get the headers and make it sound like I have a cam and be done with it... driving 100 miles a day that would add up.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,114
Likes: 51
From: How the hell can I make it faster???
Ok, let's put things in perspective:
Kudos to the crew at Chevy. The Corvette certainly is one of the (if not the)most fuel efficient high performance cars ever.
My '01, fully modded with 427 and ECS F1 supercharger, 6spd and 3.90 rear
768 rwhp
..still gets 19mpg on the highway
So...
IMO, if you're worried about mpg with one of these babies, perhaps you should reconsider and buy a Corolla
Kudos to the crew at Chevy. The Corvette certainly is one of the (if not the)most fuel efficient high performance cars ever.
My '01, fully modded with 427 and ECS F1 supercharger, 6spd and 3.90 rear
768 rwhp
..still gets 19mpg on the highway
So...
IMO, if you're worried about mpg with one of these babies, perhaps you should reconsider and buy a Corolla
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,890
Likes: 0
From: Cocoa Florida
Hahaha, ew... corolla?
Yes this car is amazing, I did touch 31 mpg on the highway one tank on a trip up to TN.
I am just surprised at this, I didn't think a cam would change it much. (I would be going probably ported 5.3L heads and no cats in the LTs)
I know some of the folks don't care about mpg but I can't say I'm lucky enough to be one of them. I know I could go smaller, but that kinda takes the fun out of it. Well, thats what I came here for, the truth on mpg/cam interaction...
Yes this car is amazing, I did touch 31 mpg on the highway one tank on a trip up to TN.
I am just surprised at this, I didn't think a cam would change it much. (I would be going probably ported 5.3L heads and no cats in the LTs)
I know some of the folks don't care about mpg but I can't say I'm lucky enough to be one of them. I know I could go smaller, but that kinda takes the fun out of it. Well, thats what I came here for, the truth on mpg/cam interaction...
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,114
Likes: 51
From: How the hell can I make it faster???
Hahaha, ew... corolla?
Yes this car is amazing, I did touch 31 mpg on the highway one tank on a trip up to TN.
I am just surprised at this, I didn't think a cam would change it much. (I would be going probably ported 5.3L heads and no cats in the LTs)
I know some of the folks don't care about mpg but I can't say I'm lucky enough to be one of them. I know I could go smaller, but that kinda takes the fun out of it. Well, thats what I came here for, the truth on mpg/cam interaction...
Yes this car is amazing, I did touch 31 mpg on the highway one tank on a trip up to TN.
I am just surprised at this, I didn't think a cam would change it much. (I would be going probably ported 5.3L heads and no cats in the LTs)
I know some of the folks don't care about mpg but I can't say I'm lucky enough to be one of them. I know I could go smaller, but that kinda takes the fun out of it. Well, thats what I came here for, the truth on mpg/cam interaction...
A good place to start is here: http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8032
For example, during the summer two years ago I was able to get 29.85 mpg from my '01 extended cab S-10, with 3.42 rear, auto trans, and 4.3V6. All in all, it's the way you drive, and average RPM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,114
Likes: 51
From: How the hell can I make it faster???
PS: All kidding aside, the Corolla isn't as bad car. I bought one for my fiancé two years ago and it's been great. Totally loaded for 16k, it gets 35mpg on a regular basis. I would bet if I drove it the way the guys on cleanmpg do, it would do an easy 40mpg.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,890
Likes: 0
From: Cocoa Florida
When i went with an ex-gf to puerto rico, 1 out of every 6 cars was a corolla.... I joke about them all the time, my dad has one, 3 of my friends have them... I can't get one just for that 
Unless i cam it!
Unless i cam it!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,114
Likes: 51
From: How the hell can I make it faster???
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,760
Likes: 4
From: Broward County Florida
IF you want to be fuel concious, it's possible to get our cars to run on 87 octane if you detune it a little bit. I've seen 10 second mustangs running on 87 octane...just food for thought.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,890
Likes: 0
From: Cocoa Florida
No I am happy the way things are stock, but I was wondering how much it cost to play so to speak. In the situation I am now, this could very well be the deal breaking revelation, thats all. I was not knowledgable enough about cams and tuning.
I have heard that getting long tubes and a good tune will actually raise mpg a bit though
I have heard that getting long tubes and a good tune will actually raise mpg a bit though
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 130
Likes: 1
From: Hollywood FL
Heads, mild cam and LT headers and I get 26 mpg with my 6 speed on the highway no problem (mpg based on actual trip mileage and total tank refuel volume). Get aggressive and the numbers fall drastically.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,890
Likes: 0
From: Cocoa Florida
So from what i am getting from a few places, a 580 or under lift cam doesnt really hurt mpg all that much. its just getting to the 600s that is where it starts sucking gas through a garden hose?
that a fair assumption?
that a fair assumption?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 5,749
Likes: 20
From: Liberty Hill Texas
Well, strictly highway, I'm still getting 29-30 MPG when doing highway only driving.