Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum - EcoModder.com - View Single Post - The Eco-Brick! aka my 80 Dodge van

don-vee · 04-27-2009, 03:52 PM

So, I went and got myself a sweet deal on an '80 Dodge van. Runs good, Slant 6, auto, short wheelbase, pretty basic. I needed a van for work, so I couldn't pass up this deal for $200. So, now the work begins.
I am going to try to squeeze as much MPG as I can from this thing without hacking chunks off with a sawzall. I am currently getting about 16-17mpg, and that's with me buying it and doing nothing. It sat for a year, so there's definitely some tune-up to do on it.
Here's the ideas I have, most of it I will be working with parts I have stowed away. I didn't want to go too insane with the spendy stuff, but maybe some of you can suggest other things I could be doing:

Give the ol' 6 a good tuneup
Replace the 1bbl intake and carb with a 2bbl with small econo primary
Hotter ignition, probably a Mallory Voltmaster with a Mopar orange box ICU
Header, 2 1/2 inch single exhaust into a Borla stainless hi-flow muffler
Electric fan (cut down on engine drag, improve cooling)
Lose the vacuum pump, install a vacuum reservoir instead
Trans cooler and shift kit
Slightly taller tires
Balance the driveshaft
Lighten the load a bit by removing the heavy plush home carpeting everywhere

I'm hoping to scratch 20mpg. I think it's doable. Anyone else deal with Slant sixes? Anything else I should think about? I realized I only scratched the surface with things I could do, but I'm trying to keep it simple and cheap for now.

04-27-2009, 03:52 PM	#1 (permalink)
don-vee Mechanic of DOOM Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Wilkes-Barre, PA Posts: 13 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	The Eco-Brick! aka my 80 Dodge van So, I went and got myself a sweet deal on an '80 Dodge van. Runs good, Slant 6, auto, short wheelbase, pretty basic. I needed a van for work, so I couldn't pass up this deal for $200. So, now the work begins. I am going to try to squeeze as much MPG as I can from this thing without hacking chunks off with a sawzall. I am currently getting about 16-17mpg, and that's with me buying it and doing nothing. It sat for a year, so there's definitely some tune-up to do on it. Here's the ideas I have, most of it I will be working with parts I have stowed away. I didn't want to go too insane with the spendy stuff, but maybe some of you can suggest other things I could be doing: Give the ol' 6 a good tuneup Replace the 1bbl intake and carb with a 2bbl with small econo primary Hotter ignition, probably a Mallory Voltmaster with a Mopar orange box ICU Header, 2 1/2 inch single exhaust into a Borla stainless hi-flow muffler Electric fan (cut down on engine drag, improve cooling) Lose the vacuum pump, install a vacuum reservoir instead Trans cooler and shift kit Slightly taller tires Balance the driveshaft Lighten the load a bit by removing the heavy plush home carpeting everywhere I'm hoping to scratch 20mpg. I think it's doable. Anyone else deal with Slant sixes? Anything else I should think about? I realized I only scratched the surface with things I could do, but I'm trying to keep it simple and cheap for now.