Bluesteel's 86 SVO Mustang
 

I thought I would start a thread for my 86 Mustang SVO in case anyone was interested. Now this isn't going to be my daily driver anymore once I get the transmission rebuilt on the VX, but I thought I would track its fuel economy regardless. Also I haven't been able to drive at all for the past month because I had ACL reconstruction surgery so I've been itchin' just to be able to post anything! Haha.

For anyone who doesn't know the SVO Mustangs were built from 1984 to 1986 and came equipped with a 2.3 liter turbo 4 cylinder as opposed to the 5.0 liter v8's. They're pretty cool cars IMO and you don't see a lot of them around anymore.

Anyway doc gave me the OK to drive finally and I took the SVO out to run some errands and get gas. Averaged 20.9 mpg this tank which is on par with EPA for mixed driving. From what I remember it was about 50/50 highway and city driving before it was parked for a month. Nothing to brag about at all but I'm interested to see if I can better the fuel economy with this car simply by adjusting my driving style.

No ecomods are planned for it. It is slightly lowered already on H&R race springs but that is probably the only mod helping fuel economy right now. I'm trying to keep it looking as stock as possible with subtle performance mods.

I should have a tank or two left in it before I have the VX up and running. After that it's just going to be weekend trips to the local cars and coffee.

Here's a couple of pics

http://i543.photobucket.com/albums/g...psmboiqt0e.jpg

http://i543.photobucket.com/albums/g...pseocbdbsh.jpg

I have a '91 myself, but it's got the 302 Windsor, not the 2.3L. That's still an amazing car, I would rip a Cobra engine and drop it in there if it was mine :P.

Ya my very first car was an 87 GT. Then I got a 93 GT which I still have, but it has a 349 stroker and makes 400 whp. Not really practical to drive on the street anymore. The plan for that one is to swap the drivetrain into a factory five Daytona coupe kit car sometime down the line.

My brother bought the 86 SVO off one of his work friends a few years ago. It was his daily for awhile until he found another 84 SVO for a good deal. So he has the 84 now and I bought the 86 from him.

I had the precursor: 1979 mustang pace car w 2.3 liter turbo. Very tight w the Michelin trx tires and recaro seats.

I plan on doing a 331 Stroker eventually to mine, along with a 3.73 rear end. Just no money to make it happen at the moment.

Ugh. I had those on a Peugeot 505. The dealer told me it would be cheaper to swap out the wheels altogether, but did I listen?

It took me years to forgive Michelin for that debacle.

Oh - and subscribed. :) Closet Ford guy here, who loves the idea of a Daytona Factory Five kit. The Daytona Coupe and Ferrari 250 GTO are two of my favorite front engined cars of all time - and there is no way I'll ever find myself in a GTO! :eek::p

Those tires were 125 each in 1984!!!!

Agree on tha factory five kits!!!
Did you see mark smyth ( brother) has a spinoff company that does a jetta kit rear wheel drive turbo TDI 2 seater

I hear you. I built mine when I was young and dumb and didn't have a wife haha. Couldn't imagine trying to build one right now. If I did do it again though, I'd probably build a 408 based off a 351W block instead of using the 302 block. Practically the same cost for the parts, but that block is a lot stronger than the 302's.

That's interesting, never seen his cars before. Not too crazy on the styling but pretty cool nonetheless.

SVOs are cool little cars. They are just rare enough that I wouldn't hack it with a V8.

I've had several of the '79-'93 'stangs, including a pair of N/A 2.3L versions. Neither of them ever saw 30 MPG no matter what. And a 392W is the cheapest stroker, as it uses 351W rods and 302W pistons. The cast steel cranks are Chinese, but they'll hold 900 HP if you have NO detonation EVER! Better to put the money in the heads, the turbos, and the cam, in that order. A single turbo isn't enough for this, but this is still more money for worse results than an LSx swap. And rare means nothing by itself, for example, Yugos are rare now, but still worthless in any condition.

Filled up a few days ago and averaged 23.8 mpg. About 3 mpg better than last tank with not so ideal driving conditions. All I did was try keep my foot out of it (which is hard, boost is addictive) and neutral coast occasionally down hills. Notes are in my fuel log.

I think it's a good start for now and hopefully I can keep improving on the SVO's fuel economy.

Used to get 25-30 mpg in my Tbird with the same drivetrain.

And the 2.3 can make plenty of power. In fact the stock block can hold more power than a 302 windsor block.

HX35 turbo 2.3 Ranger. 11.79@111.92

I have a 1985.5 SVO I've done some lightening, ported intake & exhaust,T3/T4 turbo,3.55 rearend... if I stay out of the boost, I have pretty consistently averaged 33mpg at 78 mph. Calculated fillups at south Reno to/from Truckee.
Don't ruin a SVO by putting a v8 in it.. there are plenty of NA 2.3s out there to cut up.

I assume when you get that mileage, you are not taking 341 to truckee either way although downhill out of VC wouldnt be bad except for brakes. Kinda sucks on the weekends with all that traffic going up hill at both ends, but it does limit speed.

Correct.
That 33mpg was mileage calculated from the gas station at the bottom of the hill at the round-about...via I580 &I80... to Truckee and back. 2950rpm, keeping the AR meter dancing(closed loop)
I could only suspect ~5 or 7mpg up Geiger Grade without traffic or bicycles...fun road.

Thanks for the verification. Kinda what I expected. Geiger grade is a fun road at 6 am in a cornering car with big brakes on Sunday, no fun on friday evening after 5pm, worse in any kind of weather like now.