1st Gen S10 Blazer 6,800mi road trip=22.45mpg!

[overs10ded]

Got things together and finished the 700r4 in time to make a 5 week road trip and 6,800 miles with my wife to camp and see numerous family and friends throughout the west and B.C. Canada! Only stayed at motels 3 nights! The Procharged 4.3 (300HP+) ran great along with everything else. My best mileage was 24.8 on a 200 mile leg. Overall average for the fuel used and total miles was 22.45 for 6,800+! I think I can improve modestly with new tires to replace old 33lb 245/65r17 rugged trails, more tuning for my '0411 computer, and a few ecomodder mods. Looking forward to trying the wheel disc idea with some pizza pans that I found which fit perfectly. Just haven't figured out how to attach them yet. But I've left the Blazer back in Colorado and we are back in Costa Rica with the Jeep and Tercel to work on.

Good times!!

Bruce

[elhigh]

That's VERY good results considering your ride is set up more for Saturday nights at the local drags than for long cruises.

I see you installed a 2000rpm stall TC on your 700r4, I assume you must have a functioning lockup in there too to get such good mileage?

I have an unmodified (obviously) 4.3 in a pickup I drive sometimes for work, it's torquey but dang is it a pig on gas. I don't think it's ever cracked into the 20s, for you to do so well with your go-fast mods is pretty impressive.

[overs10ded]

Yes, other than the S/C and fuel items needed for boost with some other bolt ons; headers, msd ign, underdrive crank and water pump pulleys, the engine is stock- and the centrifugal S/C does not interfere with normal driving other than a little whine from the helical cut gears and a bit of drag to spin it. The 2,000 stall converter is what these came with stock and yes I retained lockup. My goal is for a daily driver with 4x4 (not All Wheel Drive) that will get commendable mileage and have the power on top where this motor lacks (hence the S/C). The vehicle is set up to be more of a semi-pro touring...on a shoe string budget. Also I want a vehicle I can sleep in comfortably and this works all around for me. I have had it since '99 and dredge the forums for mods and upgrades! There are lots of parts and all are pretty much interchangeable drive train and chassis through 2002 to my knowledge with my vehicle as an example. Getting close to 230k on the odometer and it was 95k when I bought it.

Good times!!
Bruce

[elhigh]

Well, I didn't know that.

[overs10ded]

Yes the stock S10 4.3 torque converter is a high stall converter from the factory! They stall around 1,800-2,000rpm behind the 4.3. People use them as a cheap performance enhancement behind V8's and get 2,500 rpm stall!