Caprice Wagon engine swap--worth it?

[101Volts]

Originally Posted by XYZ

With those made before 1990 this is more typical of the MPG realized in typical use: 1988 Chevrolet Caprice Classic Wagon 5.0L V-8 automatic fuel economy analysis (since October 1987 for North America U.S.)

Note that no data is given for speeds below 50 MPH. In city driving in the lower gears actual MPG is more like 12-14 MPG.

That's informative.

And Funkhoss, I do believe the whale wagons (That's the term for GM 1991-1996 full size station wagons) can get 30 MPG Highway or more with gas engines. I got 28+ MPG on a recent (Mostly Highway) trip in a 2000 Dodge Caravan (See fuel log), Which is a comparable car to your wagon according to EPA MPG figures (Though it doesn't have the exact same figures, It's fairly close) and the coefficient of drag which is the same, Stock. Just keep at it with little improvements here and there and eventually, "You got a stew".

How's the tire pressure? You might benefit from seafoaming the car prior to an oil change too, That'll remove carbon build-up and junk in the engine but I wouldn't recommend it if the car burns oil or has an oil leak; I said that just in case because I don't know your car and I do know the miles on your wagon are under 90,000, And it's been recommended to not seafoam cars with over 150,000 miles.

[Sporty Modder]

Originally Posted by XYZ

What year vehicle?

Driven at what speeds?

Maybe in Montana, driving at a sustained 50 MPH for several hours, with no traffic?

2003, Highway speeds typical 65-70 mph and fairly normal driving,easy on the go pedal. Trips of 20-30mi at a time.

[99ParkAvenue]

My proof and links:
1995 Chevrolet Caprice Classic Wagon Reliability - MSN Autos

1995 Chevrolet Caprice MPG - Gas Mileage Data | Edmunds.com

Fuel Economy of the 1995 Chevrolet Caprice/Impala Wagon

Gas Mileage of 1995 Vehicles by Chevrolet

1995 CHEVROLET CAPRICE WAGON - MPG with Vehicle Data

Note on this page:
MPG using pre 2008 computation and 1995 gas prices.
EPA City MPG: 17 - before adjustments: 18
EPA Highway MPG: 25 - before adjustments: 32
EPA Combined MPG: 20 - before adjustments: 23

[101Volts]

Originally Posted by XYZ

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

But no matter how "nice" you may be... it doesn't matter whether Barack Obama or Jesus Christ or Mahatma Gandhi were to sit behind the wheel of an old Chevy wagon and drive it - the MPG numbers you cite ain't ever gonna happen. Maybe in heaven, or in utopia, or nirvana - but not in the real world. No matter how "nice" you may be to your old station wagon.

I don't believe your stats without there being hard, provable evidence of it. Anyone can make a claim and say they get this or that incredibly high MPG. But saying it is just talk. Without actual proof, it's just puffing smoke.

"Puff the Magic Dragon" belongs in the Unicorn Corral, IMHO.

It appears to me that perhaps your thoughts of how the kingdom of heaven works are tenuous. Saying "It ain't ever gonna happen" and then sticking to it only because you've never heard of it before or even thought of it before is like (Figuratively speaking) people scoffing at lightbulbs back when Thomas Edison was working on it, But many people have lightbulbs now.

Thomas Edison found many ways to not make a lightbulb, He just didn't give up (Or so the story goes - But the point is there's a way to get 30 MPG in this wagon, If what works is used. 28+ in a Caravan isn't unheard of!)

Have you been around here looking at the figures that hypermilers got out of pickup trucks? If EOCing is such a great benefit to Diesel Dave and if Big Dave manages 26+ MPG in his 7000+ pound Ford truck (nearly doubling the EPA figures), I don't see why a much lighter station wagon - Which is rated by EPA standards as getting higher than those trucks - Can't have such a benefit with lots of EOCing and turning the car off at red lights among other techniques, mods and maintenance.

And discerning what is from what is not, Is fine.

Funkhoss, I believe you can get over 30 MPG in that wagon even with the 5.7 L Motor. If you're going to keep at it, You could check out the Garage section of this website and add your wagon to the fleet. You can track your fuel use from tank to tank that way, It's a nice feature, See the "Moony" Link under my screen name on the left for an example. It would be valuable information for people too, I don't know of many people on this site who actually drive wagons regularly in hypermiling.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Maybe the Vortec 4300 V6 would be more suitable than the 4.3L V8.

[t vago]

My Magnum (the Karen-Mobile) has a curb weight just shy of 4000 lbs, and it can easily get 23 MPG doing 40/60 city/highway driving, even without my admittedly mild modifications.

I'd like to see this 4500 lb beast get 30 MPG. I'm shooting for 35 MPG, myself.

[slownugly]

I say go for it vago. I'm shooting for 60 in my sedan. I know it's somewhat of a longshot but it doesn't hurt to try.

[arcosine]

A 2.2L I4 vortec engine and 5 speed manual transmission from an S-10 would yield the best mileage for an engine swap, probably would gain 6 mpg.

[funkhoss]

Originally Posted by 101Volts

How's the tire pressure? You might benefit from seafoaming the car...

Tire pressure is at 40 PSI. I've Seafoamed the gas tank and intake; I plan to Seafoam the crankcase too before I change the oil.

Originally Posted by 101Volts

If you're going to keep at it, You could check out the Garage section of this website and add your wagon to the fleet.

I'll see if I can do that in the next few weeks.

Originally Posted by cRiPpLe_rOoStEr

Maybe the Vortec 4300 V6 would be more suitable than the 4.3L V8.

Both engines have basically the same hp/tq figures, but the V6 would require different wiring, exhaust, possibly mounts, etc. The V8 would literally be "plug and play."

Originally Posted by arcosine

A 2.2L I4 vortec engine and 5 speed manual transmission from an S-10 would yield the best mileage for an engine swap, probably would gain 6 mpg.

I do think that would be too underpowered, even when driving without a load. And I'd certainly have to change the final drive ratio. A Vortec 3.5L or 3.7L five cylinder with manual might be a usable and efficient swap, but for the amount of work that it would require, I'd rather just go with a diesel.

-Sam

[Frank Lee]

There's 20 seconds I want back.