Anyone had success modding an S10?

[Backtobasics]

Still toying with a beater vehicle that would at a minimum, double existing MPG to 30.

I have had S10 vehicles in the past (GMC Typhoon) and have always enjoyed them.

I am thinking a 2.8 V6 with 5 speed first gen, standard cab, short bed. I have had the 2.5 before, and it was too underpowered, and worked to hard for basic duty.

I sell accessories for a living, so throwing some "performance" parts that would increase efficiency would not be a problem. I live in KS, no inspection either. They are also cheap to lower, I figure getting it LOW, with a chin spoiler, tonneau cover, etc to help make it as slippery as possible. Sport mirror are cheap and little.

Any success stories out there?

[IsaacCarlson]

Go ahead and throw a Cummins BT-4 in it too.
You'd be pushing 40 mpg easy with proper gearing.

[Backtobasics]

Originally Posted by IsaacCarlson

Go ahead and throw a Cummins BT-4 in it too.
You'd be pushing 40 mpg easy with proper gearing.

That's great stuff.
I am leaning more towards a budget build...

I had a co worker that combined a lot of P&G and good driving, and got 28 out of a 1st gen, with 5/6 static dropped, regular cab, short bed, running aftermarket 17" wheels.

I am thinking similar truck, with headers and good, low restriction exhaust, K&N using stock air box (decent design, cold air forced. Could easily be moved for hot air in winter), throttle body spacer (TBI seem to like the spacers), good tune up / ignition. Run a set of ZQ8 wheels, with reasonable tires, and minimize the overall weight where possible.

[Ryland]

If you change the exhaust make sure you size it properly.
Autolounge.net | Calculators | Exhaust Pipe Sizing
Your biggest drag is going to be the underside of a pickup truck, I'm not sure if chevy changed the underside of the s-10 when they built them as an electric vehicle, but it would be worth looking in to.
I know that one draw back of the S-10 is that they are heavy for a small truck, compared to a Toyota pickup truck of the size is 10% lighter.

[Jim-Bob]

The biggest issue with the S-10 is that it's a Chevy and domestic small trucks of that era just aren't all that well built. When I was shopping for a new small truck back in 1998, fuel economy was one of my top priorities which is why I bought a frontier with a 2.4/5 speed/ 3.54 gears. The comparable S-10 lost 2 mpg to the Frontier and ran a Cavalier engine paired with 4.10 gears, so it spins a lot of RPM on the highway. It also gives up 25 hp to the Nissan, not to mention reliability.

As for my Frontier, I still have it and have put 362,000 miles on it-original engine, never rebuilt. It's been a pizza delivery truck since new but the mileage is not all that great. I am lucky to see 22 MPG in the city due to E10 fuel ( It used to see 24 mpg city on E0). If I'm lucky it might see 26-28 mpg on the highway, so it's a real gas hog. I have considered lowering it though as the torsion bar suspension lowers with just a turn of the wrench up front and blocks out back.

Several people I worked with had S-10's and they just didn't last. The interiors fell apart due to low quality plastics and the engines died with low miles on them. They were lucky to get 150,000 miles out of them! Buy a Toyota or a Nissan of you want a small truck as they are built way better and get far better fuel economy. If you're lucky you might even find a diesel model from the 80's and be able to run it off a greasel conversion!

I'd also say that if you find a Metro with the 3 cylinder and 5 speed cheap, buy it. It will cure you for all other cars due the just how cheap it is to run around in. I'm actually going to be selling off my V8 cars soon but will be keeping the 2 Metros. 40-50mpg will cure you of the need for V8 power pretty quickly! Plus, even if it doesn't, they are still great for running errands because of the substantial fuel cost savings they provide.

[brucey]

I had a friend that bought an 88 S10 for a few hundred bucks. It was 2WD/5 speed and had the 2.5 motor in it. Was a bit basic, but it worked. He lowered it for another few hundred and did a basic tune up/LRR tires/alignment and we were seeing nearly 30 mpg on the highway. In town was more like 17. It did all right honestly, can't complain for less than 2K for everything. The only reason it's not still on the road was because a lady pulled out in front of him. Otherwise I'm sure it would have made it to 300K (Was at 220 I believe)

[Daox]

If you want to know what S10s here have gotten, just go to the garage and do a search:

EcoModder Fleet list - EcoModder.com

The highest mileage S10 on file here is getting 29 mpg. Most are in the mid to low 20s.

[IsaacCarlson]

You can get a lot more out of a small truck than 28 mpg. I get 28 in my truck in the summer without really trying. I would LOVE to get my paws on a ranger and see what I could get with it on a tight budget.....and then dump $1,000 into it and see if I can double the first figure.

There is something fishy going on here......

[Daox]

Thats quite true, you CAN get a lot more, but this is the average...

[Backtobasics]

Originally Posted by Daox

If you want to know what S10s here have gotten, just go to the garage and do a search:

EcoModder Fleet list - EcoModder.com

The highest mileage S10 on file here is getting 29 mpg. Most are in the mid to low 20s.

Thank you, I did not know I could search like that.