i think the 287 in my 55 gets about 15 -18 mpg, and that's with dual 2 barrels hooked up with straight linkage. it's got a 4 speed hydro in it, and 4th gear is almost like o.d. i'm not too worried about gas this coming summer...but then again i don't get the chance to go to many shows.(because i am stuck working every frickin weekend). on top of a goofy work schedule, we are on a pretty tight budget right now...and gas for my daily is killing me. it costs me $70.00 - $75.00 a week just to get back & forth to work. i drive an 03 cavalier and it gets 33-35 mpg. you know it's just greed...they could sell gas for $1.00 a gallon and still come out ahead. but...we need it, and they have it...supply and demand.
For my wife and I, we just spend less on **** we don't need, like cable TV, etc..... We'll find a way to drive em. Its about the people, the comaraderie, the buildup, as much as the driving anyway. Ya know whats weird, NOTHING in my yard is carbureted anymore. Thats kinda creepy!
Then that would further the idea. If you want to go fast, and have the AOD to get the gears out of, why not go with something that will help, not hurt? A 2.** gear is great for us folks that have 1:1 final drive (my shoebox 350/Th350) and need that for cruising, but you can easily plug a 3.55-3.73 or even a tad higher and get the mileage, but also not be a dog with a 2.70 out of the hole. So all the horses you are milking out of that SBF, you are losing by chosing a 2.70 gear. Just seems self defeating. My advise is (obviously I dont know you) but if you arent sure how drivetrains should be set up, take a little time to learn the basics. It will no doubt save you tons of headache (and depression) later down the road when you are financially wed to a drivetrain that cost a lot, but ****s in both performance and economy.
Agreed. I had an '89 5.0/AOD with the 3.08 gears and it felt like it was "lugging" in OD at 60/65. At 75/80 it was much better. Plus, it was a dog off the line. 3.55 or 3.73 gears would have been much, much better....
My old man told me that my first car couldnt have a four barrel carb because it would use too much gas! That was 1974 and it drove me crazy, so I put a new intake and Holley 650 on it anyhow! Gas was a whooping 49 cents a gallon then. I made $2.00 an hour pumping gas going to college. I didnt care what it cost and I still dont care what it costs as long As I have the means to buy it. When we cant afford to buy it we will just have to bench race more often. The really old guys are the biggest complainers, and usually have the most money to spend, I guess they think they can take it with them when they die. I know I came into this world with nothing and I know I will leave with nothing. Maybe the kids will end up with something but they aint going to have everything I worked my entire life for. Life is short. Enjoy every moment and day.
Considering I don't really get out to many shows except ones I set up as a vendor at it doesn't bother me much. When I do go to a show, I consider it as part of my 'entertainment' expenses. If things at work would slow down a bit, I might get out more..
Makes me glad I kept the sixes in my 2 Comets. Power ****s, but I get about 25 MPG. That's about 5-7 MPG better than my daily truck. I usually just ride around on nice days (about 2-3000 miles per year). Not too many areas to cruise where I'm located.
I get out in the T as much as I can and at 14 mpg is expensive but its fun and thats what matters. I drive a normal car during the week and get around 33mpg but its no fun! Gas here in the uk has hit £5 a gallon in some places, thats over $10 which is getting ridiculous, my next car will have a smaller engine so as to get more mpg, but not selling the T so I will still be spending a lot to enjoy my hobby as will have two to run!!!
g***erllouie I'm one of them old guys, 10 years ago when I retired things were great . Now pension and SS stay the same but everything went up. I still cruise but not as much as I would like to. I hope things don't keep going on the way they are when your in your 70's.
im origionaly from germany and gas there costs about 1 euro 40 for a liter. Convert it to gallons and us dollars and its about 8 bucks for one gallon of gas
Yeah the gas-prices is waaay to high here in sweden And the goverment says it going to be even more expencive. In a few years we will be forced to pay about 10$ a gallon Everytime i go to USA i've been jealous of the low gasprices Plus im only 18 and im going in upper secondary school so i have a very low income.
I'll be making some concessions. Last year I drove my 54 to the HHR in Columbus Ohio. About a tank and a quarters worth there and back. Being back in Kentucky and considering the wife and kid will likely go, I'll probably take her Avenger which will get nearly double the gas mileage. Being twice as far it will make a difference on the wallet. Anything closer than 2 tank fulls, I'll still take the 54.
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