Max fuel economy?

[AndyL]

Jim, I am plannin' on giving you a run for your money in the Olds! At least on mileage

[More Power]

The Max fuel economy project has begun! While this will be a max mpg project using a mechanically injected non-turbo (to begin with) 6.5L diesel, much of what will be discussed can be directly applied to all 6.2/6.5 diesel equipped vehicles (including some aspects of a Duramax equipped truck as well). We may even be using some 6.2 specific components…

Things like engine rpm, vehicle weight & drag, and driving strategies for max fuel economy will apply to just about any light diesel. Our vehicle choice will allow us to explore what effect weight and drag have on fuel efficiency.

I think you'll be surprised at what components are available for all 6.2/6.5 diesels (EFI and MFI) that were designed to improve fuel economy, and we'll be discussing them in future Project MPG updates. Some components you may already know about, but there are a few you probably don't… At least not yet!

Jim

[HANK1948]

MP,
What ever happened to the 6.5 powered s-10 blazer you talked about in Florida? Ive always wanted to do something like that because Iam sure it could get 30+ MPG

[More Power]

It was one of those phone calls - like many I receive - from a member who told me what he had done. I asked that he send some images and discussion to let more people know about his project. That's where it is... We'll wait & see...

I'd like to see it here, cuz it adds to what we're doing with fuel economy.

Jim

[rjwest]

My early 82 ( delivered in Nov81 ) 3/4 2w
4 sp std tran w OD, ( weighed 5500 lbs )

24 MPG, always, drove truck to 230K miles
( 1 rebuilt pump ) sold it and it ran more miles,

I would note that the fuel back than was
heavy,yellowish, and not as much foam...
Ah, Progress... ( house oil ran good also.)

[More Power]

6.2L/6.5L Fuel Economy
Cylinder Heads & Ricardo Comet
Part II

The 6.2L diesel engine was introduced during a time when the world energy market sent fuel prices skyrocketing. While it may surprise you, gas & diesel pump prices during the early 1980's were actually higher than they are now - when adjusted for inflation. GM's 6.2L diesel was designed and developed for tight fuel supplies and high pump prices, and we may need to revisit the 6.2/6.5 to help provide a solution to the high fuel costs we're seeing now. The early light-duty 6.2L diesel powered trucks would consistently deliver 22-24 mpg when driven conservatively, while the later light-duty 6.5L turbodiesels produced 5 or more miles per gallon less. Why is that? The answer to that question is what we're investigating this time.

[DanSSj4]

I have a '92 GMC Vandura 3500 work van I go as fast as 75 mph Max(Rarely) never tow with it, have 2 3500 6.5 TD 93 & 97 It currently runs a wore out 350 in. Gas Engine I want to convert to diesel for equal or a little bit more torque but better gas effieiency what would work best for suck a heavy, large, non airodynamic brick.

Also on another subject the housing for my Differential is damaged where the driveshaft comes in and there is extra play it bangs sometimes. I plan on just replacing the whole rear end with a newer lower milage one What readend would give me the best Fuel Economy, power is unimportant because I drive the van REALLY Slow

[djw32]

More Power,
The 6.2/6.5 article is great! Please keep the articles coming.

[Overdrive440]

I have just stumbled across this forum. I am trying to get away from the uncomfortable and noisy ride that is a small 4 cylinder econo-car, but I want to keep the high fuel economy (or close to it). I can't wait to read more on the El Camino project.

[woodywp]

I owned a 1982 K1500 SWB 6.2 with a manual 4 speed with OD and 3.42 gears. This truck broke 30 mpg on several ocassions driving at 58-60 mph and doing my very best to be smooth on the pedal. I would build a little speed down hill at let it fall off some on the next hill. This sounds to good to be true now but I always fill up to where I can touch the fuel in the neck of the filler. Having since owned 2 other 6.5 turbos a 1994 K3500 LWB 5 speed manual 4.10 18.5 mpg and 1995 2500 Suburban 4 speed auto 3.73's 18-20 mpg I would say 6.2 NA without a doubt. I would really like to have my old truck back now with fuel prices what they are.

[Chevrolet4x4s]

6.5 Turbo Diesel
Here is my plan. Let me know what ya'll think.
1973-1974 Chevrolet short stepside
Tonneau cover.
Front air dam.
Rear roll pan.
Lowered around 4/5.
Ton sway bars.
Poly bushings.
Aligned real good.
T-56 6 speed.
Synthetic lube in the rear end.
Small mirrors.
Custom built headers for the turbos(plural).
GM-8 turbos. may go with one GM-8 and a little turbo off of a daytona or caravan.(which should deliver the best economy).
3 inch downpipes.
3 inch or 3.5 inch NASCAR boom tubes with x pipe daul exit right under the steps no mufflers for as long as I can get away with it.
Daul front mount intercoolers.
Possibly a cowl hood to let air out of the engine compartment better.
Free flowing air intake to the turbos.
Ported intake or maybe make custom Ram Logs similar to this(which should deliver the best economy).
May go with rear disc brakes.
May do a partial bellypan.
Daul electric fans.
Polish up the exhaust ports a little.
40ish psi in the tires
No A/C (I hate ac in a vehicle..gives me headaches)
And a slick shiney black paint job.

Here is the 73-74 grille after I redid it


and what I started with

Heres the step by step process
http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/repa...le-125972.html

I am hoping for 30mpg plus while crusing with a light foot. Do you think it is possible? Any thoughts or suggestions?
Thanks
Shane

[allformike]

I Have Been Getting 19 City- That's Between 35-40 Mph. And About 21 0r 22 At About 50 -55 Mph. Hows That Sound For A 4x4. Puts Gassers To Shame. Yay 6.2

[allformike]

i thought i was going crazy, but indeed i am not. for the last 3 tanks i have been getting 25 mpg. i run the winter bottle of power source and have put 30'' mickey thompson baja claw radials on, with a th400 and 3.73's

[trbankii]

and have put 30'' mickey thompson baja claw radials on, with a th400 and 3.73's

Have you compensated for the tire size and gears in the mileage?

[TaxiVan]

Lots of interesting replies in this thread -- I am considering a 6.2L diesel swap for my GMC Safari van... I use it in my taxi business... 84Blazer mentioned a cabbie talking about gasoline costs and wondered why GM never built 6.5 diesel Caprices for taxi specials... #1 Reason - EPA's EcoNazis and the rest of the tree-hugging, earth-worshipping yuppie world.

Truth be told, quite a few (number unknown) FBI fleet-package Impalas were factory fitted with either the 5.7 Olds or the 6.2 Detroit somewhere around 80-84. My guess would be that leftover warranty 5.7s went first... One of these cars is on YouTube.

I had been considering a swap using a 3.9L Isuzu NPR truck engine, but plans tend to change when your bread and butter unexpectedly dies, and you have to get creative.

It actually seems the 6.2 will actually be a better/easier swap than a 3.9L Isuzu. No trans adapters required, uses standard Chevrolet engine mounts, and no electronic or emissions BS like the 4.3 V6 I currently have.

Truthfully, from my research, I wouldn't be scared to use a 4.3 V6 Oldsmobile diesel (they were the best of the three, having 14 head bolts) with a 200-4R or 700-R4 automatic overdrive.... but these diesels are hard to find, and I already have a 6.2.

[76diesel]

I get 40 mpg out of a 6.2 diesel non turbo engine. I put the engine in a camaro, installed a 700r4 with lockup torque converter and put a 2.73 rear gear.

I love this car, it is fast, great fuel mileage on the highway and the most fun car I ever drove.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6W5D...IiTg9w&index=6

[More Power]

Cool! Looks like it fits beneath the hood quite well. Amazing what a lightweight and aerodynamic vehicle can do with a 6.2 for fuel economy.

I like the radio commentary playing in the background of your video....

Welcome to the board.

Jim

[DmaxMaverick]

VERY nice! Thanks for sharing.

[joeq]

I like a guy with an imagination. Very clean looking install. I can hear the purists on the Camaro forums now. . You must be a very patient and inquisitive individual. I nominate you for the Nobel Peace prize. Or maybe an Oscar...(or something like that). What's next? Walking a tight-rope over the Grand Canyon?