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Old 12-30-2008, 10:19 PM   #14 (permalink)
roflwaffle
Master EcoModder
 
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Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Southern California
Posts: 1,490

Camryaro - '92 Toyota Camry LE V6
90 day: 31.12 mpg (US)

Red - '00 Honda Insight

Prius - '05 Toyota Prius

3 - '18 Tesla Model 3
90 day: 152.47 mpg (US)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Big Dave View Post
Engine displacement is highly over-rated as a parameter to increase MPG.
It should be engine displacement and gearing. The problem w/ some of the 5+L engines is that they just can't spin slowly enough in a fairly efficient glider to get decent mileage. Course, the cylinder deactivation tech changes all this, so a 5.3L 300-350hp GM engine could effectively be a 2.65L, and w/ a T56 (.5 sixth) and a low enough rear end could see ~70-90mpg cruising at ~60-65mph. Ya know what would be a blast, an El Camino w/ a sloping bed cover and other aero mods as well as LRR tires and the above setup. Toss in a couple beefy electric motors w/ some high power lithium packs at ~80whp/120wftlbs each and right there we've got a ~450whp/550wftlb vehicle that would be a bit porky at ~3500lbs, but would also provide great mileage and blow the doors off of just about anything that moved on the street.
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