Sad about good MPG

[cosmick]

Um, thanks? Long before Google was ever even thought up, there was John Lawlor's Auto Math Handbook. And palm-size solar calculators, and college-ruled notebook paper. I was doing spreadsheets before PCs could do them.
Much more to be learned by doing it right, only takes 10 minutes, and seeing the RPM at every speed in every gear, seeing your shift points, all in a single glance. Just don't forget the torque converter always slips at least 400 RPM at WOT, even if it can lockup at cruise.

[cosmick]

http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...and-31084.html

[cosmick]

Not having any success finding an affordable baseline tune, I may have to go MegaSquirt 2 DIY EFI with a 700R-4, SM465, NV3500, or other non-electronic transmission. That or not turbo, but I'm not ready to consider that.

[cosmick]

Got the electronics figured out for using the 2.73:1 axle gears with the OD, but the turbo has to wait. Still, 3 times the horsepower it had until this, with similar MPG expected.

[cosmick]

Gauges / instrument cluster swap. From an '01 Cavalier Z24. Attempting custom mounting using canned foam which should be easy to trim with a razor then paint black.

[cosmick]

Found the solution to no exhaust manifolds clearing the steering shaft, the fix is a Jeep Cherokee steering shaft. So this project isn't dead.

[Miller88]

Since it is an S10 - would it be one of the steering columns / shafts out of a Cherokee that used the S10 steering column and steering box?

[cosmick]

Actually, the steering boxes were supplied to both by Saginaw. But it was '84-'94 Cherokee shafts that fit the square-bdy S-10s, though the '87-'91 F150 shaft also works, and some '90s Astro shafts can be adapted as well. I'm looking for best clearance, so the F150 would be easiest, but I'm willing to do extra to get the precision of no rag joint, and I want the road feel, so forget the F150 version.
On this topic, I could use a Grand Cherokee steering box for quick 12.7:1 steering, but I really need the internal stops of the IROC-Z version, and they're still available used and just as cheap.
Now if I can't get an exhaust manifold to clear the Cherokee shaft, then I'll offset-mount the engine as necessary.
I found another '01-up LR4 4.8L for $400, now I just need to find a pair of NV3500s to combine. I need a 2wD S-10 version, but then I need to swap its 5th gear out for a 0.73:1 from a fullsize. And if I can find a 2.47:1 rear gear at a price I can afford, then I'll want the 4.02 / 2.32 first and second from a fullsize. S-10 was 3.49 / 2.16. All used a 1.40:1 third and 1:1 fourth.
The S-10 case / shifter boss are different from fullsize. And B&M makes a better shifter for the S-10 version.

[cosmick]

Found an already-removed Cherokee steering shaft for $34 delivered, ordered it. So this build has resumed.

[hedonistic]

Subed, wow you are a walking breathing interchange guide. I wish you the best of luck and cant wait to see how your project goes. I'd love a high mpg sleeper myself.