Budget s10 Blazer mods? (new member seeking ideas)

[Reaper1354]

Need some ideas here. Have a late 80s s10 blazer with the 4.3. With the stock manual. I'm on a tight budget and I'm looking to take my stock s10 blazer and make it more fuel efficient without losing much power. Now I am on a budget so I'd prefer ideas to either be A: Cheap or B: junkyard friendly. I will appreciate any and all help

[MetroMPG]

Hi Reaper - welcome to the forum.

Have you had a chance to go through these pages? 65+ Efficiency Mods & 100+ Hypermiling Tips

The cheapest, quickest route to savings is adjusting the nut behind the wheel (you). You need an instant & resettable trip MPG display to do this properly & to maximum effect. Don't balk at the price of a gauge -- it'll pay for itself fast in a vehicle that consumes a lot of fuel.

Also, are you recording your tank to tank mileage now? That's another key, so you can see the motivating effects of changes to your driving & mods to the Blazer.

[Xist]

Reaper, Metro really knows his stuff. Adjusting your driving style is free and can make a larger difference than anything else.

I think that a grill block, air dam, and smooth wheel covers are the cheapest aeromods. Of the three, I think that an air dam looks the best.

Thanks for joining! Good luck!

[sarguy01]

Just a thought...do you need the Blazer? Before you put any money into it, think about getting a car that gets better mileage. Will a wagon work if you need the space??

[smoothtrooper]

Pulse and Coast, is the way to go. I am seeing great results in my GMC Jimmy with the 4.3L. Right now I am averaging around 25mpg which is way better then 15-17mpg I was getting before. Oh yeah the best part is its FREE!

[RobertISaar]

how about adding power without losing economy?

the 4.3 had some pretty significant improvements over the years that boosted output, i don't remember EPA rated fuel economy ever going down when output went up though.

you would need to modify your calibration to safely do such a thing, but you'll find plenty of communities that are capable of guiding you through it or pointing you to someone who is capable.

4.3 + manual was apparently never offered in the 80s on the S10 blazer though... optional for 1990-upwards. assuming 2WD, original EPA rating of 17/23. i checked 95, 98 and 00 with 4.3/5 speed 2WD, all had the same 17/23 rating.

assuming you have a 90, you're pushing out ~160HP/235lb-ft.
a 95 is ~200HP/260lb-ft
a 98/00 is ~190/250



just food for thought.

[Frank Lee]

In my S10 experience, the 4 cyl 2wd is waaaaaay more efficient than any 6 combo.