"former" go fast guy.. looking to go further..

[beegarage]

hey guys.. and gals.. been around the shop for ahwile.. but mostly been playing with things that would make y'all cringe.. 1000cc/min injectors at almost full duty cycle under boost.. while the power is fun.. and i'll still be making it.. i need something new to test my skills.. i like new things.. and taking on a hyper mile car seems like a slow, long lasting fun..

i am a big nissan and vw guy.. so i have alot of ideas from there.. and i don't plan on putting alot of money into this.. just time..

i am currently driving a crew cab 8.1l silverado on 35's.. and at 9ish mpg.. my local gas station clerks know me well.. but hey, that leaves me lots of room to improve right..?

what would i do if i had all kindsa resources..? mk3 vw golf sport.. all kindsa tricks.. some might work.. some probably wouldn't.. but that the fun in it right..?


thanks in advance for welcoming me..!

benny

[MetroMPG]

Welcome, benny

Agreed - you've got nowhere to go but up

You're in good company: there are plenty of experienced power/speed freaks in the forum here who have discovered the challenge & rewards of building & driving for efficiency.

Interested to see what you cook up.

[t vago]

Welcome aboard!

I've always maintained that performance and economy can go hand-in-hand. I'm currently enjoying my 4400 pound V8 Dodge Dakota with worked over cylinder heads, high flow intake manifold, high-output cams, cat-back exhaust, induction tube, custom fuel delivery... and over 19 MPG.

[SVOboy]

Welcome the EcoModder

I didn't even know they made an 8.1l. What weight class is it in?

[Old Tele man]

..."Welcome Aboard!"

<---a "former" here too (ha,ha)

...back in 1973, I drove a Condor van (390 Ford truck engine & automatic) from Yuma, AZ, to Fayetteville, NC, (2400 miles) that had a 300 gallon gas tank(!) and got 6 miles-per-gallon on the highway.

[beegarage]

@SVO.. its a 2002 2500HD chevy.. 8.1L = 496 cubic inches.. 450 foot lkpounds of torque.. but it's considered a std "light truck" ha..

[Weather Spotter]

Welcome. Check out our wiki for great mods people have done and the MPG data to back up the claimed gains:
Car MPG Efficiency Modifications Main - EcoModder

[The Rooster]

I think first, you need to start by losing those wimpy 35's and slappin on some 49" IROC's. Also, add a supercharger and nitrous, Unimog axles and a camper and a horse trailer full of unicorns. Also, get rid of the doors, its more fun like that. Then bring the unicorns by and we can cook up some unicorn burgers on your intake manifold.

Welcome!

(Call me when the BBQ starts)

[Jim-Bob]

I like going fast too but it seemed the only thing that was going fast was the money out of my wallet! If Nissan is what you want, and cheap is what you want to spend, then I suggest a b13/b14 Sentra/200sx with a GA16DE/5speed. They can get amazing mileage out of the box ( I have seen 32 city and 55 highway) and usually don't have a high price of entry. Plus, they are dead reliable and the use of the B13 in taxi service in Mexico ( where it is still sold new as the Tsuru) is proof of that.

Now if you REALLY want some mileage from a low buck car go find a 3 cylinder/5 speed 89-94 Geo Metro. They get stock mileage that most of the people on here are trying to get modified. You want 50+ mpg? Make sure it's in good repair and go drive on the highway below 60 mph. Want more? Aero mods and tall tires will go surprisingly far in these versatile little cars. To own one is to love one-every time you go to the gas station and fill it's 10.5 gallon tank( 400+ miles).