[RealZ28]

Been studying some of the guides and threads here for a while and decided to join up. I recently picked up a little 1999 S10 Xtreme std. cab 4cyl 5spd to convert to a nice efficient runabout. It had a little over 220,000mi on it when I bought it. Original motor and runs extremely tight and quiet (to my surprise!). It's a pretty basic truck with rubber floor and no power windows and no tilt steering wheel and an uncomfortable base bench seat. The truck does have AC, though. I'll be keeping that intact since I can't handle the summer heat. I've been spoiled with "luxury" vehicles ever since I could afford them but I really like this basic little truck.

So far I've changed to synthetic oil and plan on running synthetic everywhere else. The clutch fan was bad and stuck almost full on (sounded like a dump truck) so an electric fan with adjustable thermostat went in (just finished the thermostat/relay tonight). Wheel bearings and calipers were done last weekend along with a leaky valve cover gasket. Have a few LEDs and will add more as I acquire them. Running the tires at 42psi. Looking forward to reading up on more tips 'n tricks here to squeeze some MPGs out of this little truck. I just filled the tank for the first time tonight since I bought the truck and calculated out to about 24mpg. Not too bad considering my 2011 GMC Sierra Crew Cab "All Terrain" is getting me 15mpg. That beast was giving me 13.6mpg before I swapped out a Flowmaster dual exhaust and Airaid intake tube/K&N drop-in filter/TB spacer (which is poor considering the sticker advertises 15/21). I actually brought this truck back to the dealer twice for poor gas mileage and poor performance. No surprise, "we didn't find anything wrong". BS, I had a 2011 GMC Sierra Extended Cab (same 5.3L/6spd auto traded in at 2900mi...that's another story) and that truck was giving me over 18mpg average. This truck currently has about 4500mi on it. I'm not going to dig too deep into it while it's under factory warranty...as useless as that is.

Let's see what else is in the stable....The 1995 Z28...forget it! About 12mpg but that's a toy. Also have a 1999 Buick Park Avenue ULTRA. I built the engine in this car a few years ago but it's all stock (bought it with a blown engine). I can get into the mid-20's with that car but the wife manages about 18mpg average. Never getting her a supercharged car again! Her Suzuki GZ250 gets much better mileage but I don't have any figures on it. The Harley Dyna Lowrider...no idea...maybe 40 or so mpg. The 883 Sportster I think is hitting about 60mpg. I don't know what any of my bikes get actually...we don't really care much when riding! And the ultimate in fuel saving; 1976 PUCH MAXI 2hp (I had 2, a 1977 was stolen many years ago). Mainly used for tooling around the neighborhood and campgrounds and race track. I've had this moped for about 20 years and it's still one of my favorite vehicles. Well...I guess you'd have to really like something if you've had it over 20 years...and I fill the tank about once a year!

I've been messing with cars since I was 14 years old (37 now). Drag racing on and off since I was 16. Went to automotive and machining school for a few years and even took some technical drawing. Built quite a few high performance engines and a couple hot rods and muscle cars and even a monster truck. Things have slowed down a bit and I'm liking this new hobby of saving gas. I'm a little ADD/OCD and go a bit crazy if I have nothing to do in the shop (you can only rearrange your tools or fix the neighborhood kid's bikes and lawnmowers so many times before your right eye begins to twitch). Everything is made worse since I live on "Hot Rod Corner". My immediate neighbors are all car people. '70 Monte Carlo big block currently being prepped for LSX. Buick Regal GS tuned. Subaru WRX tuned. Nissan Altima tuned. An old Morgan/VW replica. (70?) Dodge Charger .The following are currently racing; '69 Road Runner 440. '70 Dart 318. This seems like natural progression...and affordable! My 5 year old son is even getting into rearranging my tools...er...working on this "Little Truck" (which he named).

You're still reading this? Oh wow....LOL