Evening all,
Not new to cars, but new to the boxes for sure. Looking to bring home an '87 Colony Park ASAP to be my DD. It'll be replacing the '86 F250 for going downtown to class duty. I realize the CP is far from small haha, but with 235 E tires, 4.10s, a 4spd, and no AC there's days when I'd trade the truck for a Vega. So it's all relative. AC, an auto trans, and good seats will be a miracle.
I've seen people claim anything from under 20, to near 30 on the highway. A lot of that seems to be maintenance and driving style related. I get near 20mpg on the truck, even with stock in/ex and 1bbl carter. Last two sedans I DD were a mercedes and bmw. I exceeded the epa combined estimates on both of those, and even averaged better than the highway # in two years driving the bmw. And again, it's all relative. The gf has one of those 3 door saturns, gets near 40mpg. But, I can't drive it with the sunroof closed. My mother has an Outback, gets the same #'s the GM wagon guys are talking about. And ever driven an Outback? God it's terrible.
So does hoping 22-26 seem too unrealistic? Over 90% of my driving is either 20+ minute highway trips, and 40-55mph back road cruises. Almost no city, and I avoid stop lights, fast food, etc etc. I'd also been told the tow package 3.55's will keep the car in over drive more, and are arguably better on gas than the 3.08?
There's 50+ years of great info out there on SBF's, but I understand that most guys modding are doing so for power. I drive about 60k mi/yr so if I ever have the urge to go fast it'd be smarter just to get a dedicated testosterone burner. So, what can be done to the 302 for efficiency's sake? I'm also not adverse to swapping in a 5 or 6 speed auto if that's feasible, or engine and trans if that's the best route. Or even forced induction. I know of a few cars running a setup at 6-8psi that are DD reliable. I think I'd rather not deal with a T-5 unless there's a ridiculous bump in #s. It seems like popular opinion would dictate I do the following, but the bump in mileage is always mentioned secondary to the power increases:
Aluminum heads and intake. GT40-P or AFR
Headers. Shortie, or BBK, I'm thinking into an H, magna flow cats, and some flow master mufflers
Custom Cam with street in mind
Other than that just the general basics: electric fan, possible electric water pump, reasonably sized tires, spend a few hundred on a tune-up.
Appreciate y'all's time and advice!
Not new to cars, but new to the boxes for sure. Looking to bring home an '87 Colony Park ASAP to be my DD. It'll be replacing the '86 F250 for going downtown to class duty. I realize the CP is far from small haha, but with 235 E tires, 4.10s, a 4spd, and no AC there's days when I'd trade the truck for a Vega. So it's all relative. AC, an auto trans, and good seats will be a miracle.
I've seen people claim anything from under 20, to near 30 on the highway. A lot of that seems to be maintenance and driving style related. I get near 20mpg on the truck, even with stock in/ex and 1bbl carter. Last two sedans I DD were a mercedes and bmw. I exceeded the epa combined estimates on both of those, and even averaged better than the highway # in two years driving the bmw. And again, it's all relative. The gf has one of those 3 door saturns, gets near 40mpg. But, I can't drive it with the sunroof closed. My mother has an Outback, gets the same #'s the GM wagon guys are talking about. And ever driven an Outback? God it's terrible.
So does hoping 22-26 seem too unrealistic? Over 90% of my driving is either 20+ minute highway trips, and 40-55mph back road cruises. Almost no city, and I avoid stop lights, fast food, etc etc. I'd also been told the tow package 3.55's will keep the car in over drive more, and are arguably better on gas than the 3.08?
There's 50+ years of great info out there on SBF's, but I understand that most guys modding are doing so for power. I drive about 60k mi/yr so if I ever have the urge to go fast it'd be smarter just to get a dedicated testosterone burner. So, what can be done to the 302 for efficiency's sake? I'm also not adverse to swapping in a 5 or 6 speed auto if that's feasible, or engine and trans if that's the best route. Or even forced induction. I know of a few cars running a setup at 6-8psi that are DD reliable. I think I'd rather not deal with a T-5 unless there's a ridiculous bump in #s. It seems like popular opinion would dictate I do the following, but the bump in mileage is always mentioned secondary to the power increases:
Aluminum heads and intake. GT40-P or AFR
Headers. Shortie, or BBK, I'm thinking into an H, magna flow cats, and some flow master mufflers
Custom Cam with street in mind
Other than that just the general basics: electric fan, possible electric water pump, reasonably sized tires, spend a few hundred on a tune-up.
Appreciate y'all's time and advice!
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