1987 442 26.7 mpg stock v-8 3700 lbs.

[analogkid455]

Well, I don't have a Honda or other high MPG car, but for a v-8 I would say this is pretty good. Especially since it's carbureted, 24 years old, 191,000 miles on it, weighs 3700 lbs, has a frontal area of 20.6 and a Cd of .44.

I plan on lowering it, block off the grille some, put a Hurst Olds air dam on the front and a belly pan. I would like to do something about venting the air under the hood, also. Maybe some air extractors.

Anyway, thought you guys might like to hear about an old hot rodder and drag racer getting good MPG's with a muscle car.

[cleanspeed1]

Welcome to EM! It's funny, I just started a thread about old school engines and fuel economy, and the combo that inspired me was the Turnpike Cruiser Oldsmobile package from 1967. That big brick was getting 20+ mpg back then.

Do you have the stock 307 HO motor or did you swap in something else?

[Rusty Marina]

Originally Posted by cleanspeed1

Welcome to EM! It's funny, I just started a thread about old school engines and fuel economy, and the combo that inspired me was the Turnpike Cruiser Oldsmobile package from 1967. That big brick was getting 20+ mpg back then.

Ah the tall geared Turnpike cruisers ; most of them had very tall gears like 2.41s and a low comp 2 bbl 400 or 455 engine (In the 1970 SX's)

My old 70 Delta 88 4 dr had a 9.0 comp 455 2 bbl engine and with 2.56 gears it could do 20 mpg with careful driving and it was barely over 3000 rpms at 100 mph

[analogkid455]

Yes , it has the stock 307 Olds small block. It also has 3.73 gears which is pretty low but the .67 OD helps alot.

I often thought if I put 2.73's in with the OD and a 350 Olds rocket it would do better. Of course I would build the engine with MPG in mind. Tons of low end torque.

Talking about bricks, this car is defiantly a brick. The back window is almost straight down and causes alot of turbulence. When they used these in NASCAR they made an aero window back there that sloped down almost to the end of the trunklid. The Monte Carlo SS has much better Cd than the 442 because of the front airdam. I think it is somewhere around .375.

Thanks for the welcome! I have been lurking for awhile.

Oh, I also have a 1974 Olds Omega with a W-30 455 with 3.73 gears, no OD. It runs 11's, 0-60 in 3 seconds and gets 12-14 MPG. I figure if I get OD it would probably get 17-18 MPG. Not bad for a race car!

[deathtrain]

Originally Posted by analogkid455

Well, I don't have a Honda or other high MPG car, but for a v-8 I would say this is pretty good. Especially since it's carbureted, 24 years old, 191,000 miles on it, weighs 3700 lbs, has a frontal area of 20.6 and a Cd of .44.

I plan on lowering it, block off the grille some, put a Hurst Olds air dam on the front and a belly pan. I would like to do something about venting the air under the hood, also. Maybe some air extractors.

Anyway, thought you guys might like to hear about an old hot rodder and drag racer getting good MPG's with a muscle car.

Kick yourself in the dick. Just go buy a cheap high MPG car. that year 442 is one of the last year models of the true American HP that done need a special tuner to play with. Not knocking you but their are plenty of us on here that have muscle cars and have our ECO cake too. 1 for saving gas and 1 for hauling ass.

[guudasitgets]

you know it's funny about technology, my old Chevy Sprint (pre Metro caburated 3 cyl) would get 51 - 53mpg. Not bad considering no fuel injection, not bad mpg on the Olds

[NHRABill]

First off you have one of my favorite cars that I always wanted. I take flack from a couple friends cause I always check them out at shows. Now the important stuff #1 does your ride have T-tops? and most importantly does it have the Lightning rod shifter?

Ever consider dropping on a 2BBl TBI setup? like the holley frojection that just replaces the carb.

Also you mentioned the Nascar aero: I just passed a Monte SS aerocoupe today you know.. with the Hatchback ... I remember that thing was heavy as Heck.

found one for sale so others can see what I am talking about.
1987 Monte SS AeroCoupe For Sale

One other comment would be that you may do better with a gear swap to either a 3.08 or a 3.42 depending on how you drive if mostly local low speed then keep your gearing highway I would go with a larger gear. I had the 3.42 in my 85 GN "stock gear" and she was a nice cruiser at about 65 with the 200r4 OD trans. then again it had the little 3.8 turbo not the 307

[analogkid455]

Unfortunately, it has T-Tops and the L-Rod shifters only came with the 83-84 Hurst Olds. I would like to get set but they are going for 1000 bucks right now.

I wouldn't go with the TBI, if I was to go the FI route, I would go with MPEFI, like Olds did in 1975. I just don't like FI.

As far as kicking myself in the dick, I like my V-8 Carbureted engines. I won't own a 4 cylinder. They don't have enough power to peel the skin off a grape. The only v-6 I would consider is the Buick 3.8. Besides, 35 mpg is good enough for me, and I think I can get it with a V-8. I have seen Buick GN get up to 46 mpg. My friend's 97 Z28 got 33 mpg with the LT1/T-56/ 3.42 gears. My 87 V-8 firebird got 27 MPG going a steady 75 mph.

[vanman2]

Now you have me thinking ~~ i am impressed good job with a sweet ride ~~ i have a 1976 Dodge B200 van ( 3/4 ton ) 318 3spd auto it has headers dual exhaust edelbrock aluminum high rise manifold and edelbrock carb ( i know its a brick ) but but like you with your olds this is my baby i like to go camping and travel some plan on retiring and seeing the country ( i hope ) someday ~~ i have a Suzuki sidekick Js 4cyl 5spd with a hard top as my daily driver runs good , good on gas a no frills ride , also have a 2011 Suzuki Equator crew cab sport truck put a leer topper on it cuts down on the drag for when i need or want a truck , sweet truck and surprisingly good on gas 6cyl 5spd auto ~~ but my van is my favorite and am trying to think of ways to better fuel economy ~~ here goes i am open to all suggestions except to get rid of it ~~ all else will go the van stays

[cleanspeed1]

Originally Posted by vanman2

Now you have me thinking ~~ i am impressed good job with a sweet ride ~~ i have a 1976 Dodge B200 van ( 3/4 ton ) 318 3spd auto it has headers dual exhaust edelbrock aluminum high rise manifold and edelbrock carb ( i know its a brick ) but but like you with your olds this is my baby i like to go camping and travel some plan on retiring and seeing the country ( i hope ) someday ~~ i have a Suzuki sidekick Js 4cyl 5spd with a hard top as my daily driver runs good , good on gas a no frills ride , also have a 2011 Suzuki Equator crew cab sport truck put a leer topper on it cuts down on the drag for when i need or want a truck , sweet truck and surprisingly good on gas 6cyl 5spd auto ~~ but my van is my favorite and am trying to think of ways to better fuel economy ~~ here goes i am open to all suggestions except to get rid of it ~~ all else will go the van stays

With that 318, put an O2 bung in one of the headers and a wideband sensor and start tuning the carb. After that, an MSD6 box and coil, and start doing some timing loops. If you're not doing any serious towing, some 3.23s or 2.93s.

You know what would be cool? Figuring out how to put a A833 4 speed with OD in that thing.