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Old 10-10-2008, 10:48 PM   #8 (permalink)
lovemysan
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Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: kansas city, mo
Posts: 140

gutless wonder - '02 Saturn sl sohc
90 day: 40.17 mpg (US)

econoburban - '05 chevy surburban 2wd LT
90 day: 19.43 mpg (US)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bhazard View Post
In my experience with 2.3's (My tbird and my dads ranger) they do not like low rpms at all. However Ive not seen any problem using fifth gear over, say, 40-45 mph. Anything under 1500 rpms and it lugs so bad itll rattle the fillings out of your rotten hillbilly teeth. This cant be good for the engine itself, whatever gains in mpg are probably offset in turning your main bearings to dust.

My festiva however has no problem running fifth at 1000 rpms/25 mph. If I could just cruise a whole tank of gas at 25 mph and see what mpg I get...
He's right, its not pleasant to drive ranger under 35 mph in 5th. I've put many miles on my dads 1990 2.3/5spd. There is 4 miles of 25 mph park to get to there house. I always find myself pulsing between 25-35mph. Any small incline defeats it. It might be a good vehicle to try P & G. My opinion on lugging is simple. If it feels bad, it probably is!
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2002 Saturn SL
sohc + 5spd = 50mpg
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