[funkhoss]

Originally Posted by mcrews

man that is a serious low rpm!!!.. ....explains the mpg

Do you have to downshift to get some acceleration at that point?

The LT1 has 330 lb/ft of torque, which, because of the B-body cam, comes in at a very low RPM. It's like an RV cam.

I try to keep the engine between 700 and 1000 RPM as much as possible.

On the trip where I got 46.3 MPG, I was mostly on rural, state highways with speed limits of 55 or 60 MPH.

I would P&G in 5th gear, pulsing from 45-55, 45-60, or 50-60 MPH, depending on conditions. The car could even pull or maintain most hills in 5th gear at 45 MPH or more. So yes, it will accelerate at those speeds in top gear. I'd say that it accelerates slowly, but it's still faster than our Metro.

I even let it get down to 40 in fifth gear, in some instances. The engine turns about 725 RPM at that speed.

This car is a textbook example that the higher the gearing, and the lower the RPM, the better.