Centurion 128-mpg ... and smaller engines

[pete c]

Originally Posted by Old Mechanic

I remember in 1984 when I bought a CRX 1.5 new, I averaged 44 MPG for close to 50k miles. I was considering the 1.3, especially when I read about a car rag driving it at 55MPH until it ran out of gas. They got 73 MPG. I chose the 1.5 because it would do 0-60 in just under 10 seconds while the 1.3 took close to 14 seconds to get to 60 MPH.

If you want really slow 0-60 acceleration the 58 VW was really slow at something over 20 seconds to 60 and would really suffer trying to get to 70 MPH if it would make it at all.

Not many modern cars (if any) are slower than 0-60 in 10 seconds today. I also remember my 63 Valiant with the 170 fighting to stay at 40 MPG up an 8% grade on Afton mountain between Charlottesville and Waynesboro Va. 2-3-2-3-2-3 shifts for close to 7 miles climbing that grade, but I did manage 28 MPG on that trip. Supposedly 101 HP, but I had the carb set lean so probably not near that power. Used to like buying the Valiants when the PCV got plugged up and the owners thought the engine was gone at 40K miles.

regards
Mech

was that a slant six?

one of my favorite engines of all time. i owned one of the last built, an '85 D150. the only thing i didn't like about it was the 1 bbl carb with a fixed mixture port. couldn't lean it out to get past emissions like i did with an old F-150.

[Ken Fry]

Originally Posted by Old Mechanic

I remember in 1984 when I bought a CRX 1.5 new, I averaged 44 MPG for close to 50k miles.

If you want really slow 0-60 acceleration the 58 VW was really slow at something over 20 seconds to 60 and would really suffer trying to get to 70 MPH if it would make it at all.

2-3-2-3-2-3 shifts for close to 7 miles climbing that grade, but I did manage 28 MPG on that trip.
regards
Mech

I had a CRX Si of the same vintage, I'd guess... mine was probably from the second year of the CRX. What a blast to drive. I had a free-lance exotic car wrench turning biz for years, and most of those were about half as much fun. I redid a beautiful 1957 Ferrari 250 Pininfarina Cabriolet -- stunning car that now goes for about $1,000,000... but it drove like a truck on its Goodyear redline (or blueline?) tires, comparatively speaking. I would not be surprised if the Si was quicker to 60... but sure as heck did not sound as nice getting there. Until I bought the Si, a Lotus Europa (Renault) was about the nicest handling road car I'd driven. (Although I had a Fiat X19 at some point, which was fun too.) I'd have to have them side-by-side to compare -- certainly the Lotus wins on emotion, but for cornering prowess, feel, lap times, etc, it would have to be close -- or maybe I'm dreaming... maybe the Si would blow the doors off the Europa?)

The MG TD did 0-60 in 25 seconds. It was a sports car! I had a 1957 MGA (1500). 15 - 18 seconds to 60, I suppose. I guess it beats walking.

One of the car mags did a comparison test between modern (2009 -2010?) Accord V6, Camry V6, etc and 1988 supercars, and the new vanilla-mainstream-all-the-excitement-of-a-refrigerator family sedans were quicker.

Your 2-3-2-3-2-3 bought back memories. (And I'm getting to be that age were I am thankful for any memory that comes back!)

(How did this happen???!!! I'm like my dad talking about how Model T's were just fine.)

Thanks, Ken

[Ken Fry]

Originally Posted by Old Mechanic

Used to like buying the Valiants when the PCV got plugged up and the owners thought the engine was gone at 40K miles.

regards
Mech

More memories: Bought my MG for $75. Previous owner had been told the clutch was shot. 35 cents for a clutch master cylinder cup seal got it back on the road. ...

Geez... more memories: At the same time I looked at an Alfa Giulietta. I think it could be driven. $150... way outside my price range. In 1966.. the Alfa was 1959 or 1960, I'd guess.

Gotta quit this or Jack will yell at me again. This board really needs an "off-topic" button to shrink posts like mine.

[JackMcCornack]

Originally Posted by Ken Fry

Gotta quit this or Jack will yell at me again.

Yell at you again? Gosh, you must have got my PM.

Your latest post was free of ad hominem arguments, so I've nothing to "yell at." If you're referring to my post #30, I wasn't aiming that exclusively at you; you're hardly the Lone Ranger. My ideas of how to fight fair may be pretty old-fashioned...seriously, I'll send you a PM about it.

When the OP went up, I was considering inviting Robert Riley to the forum--I doubt anyone has discussed the Centurion in depth in a quarter century, I thought he'd enjoy it and his comments would be of interest. Now I hope he doesn't find out about it. Half the posts are off topic, and half of what remain are derogatory comments lacking logical justification.

Anyway, as long as y'all don't mind me throwing in an occasional comment about the Centurion and smaller engines, I'll not grouse about this forum drifting to hybrids, cars we loved in our youth, etc.

[drmiller100]

tailgunners keep the better builders off this site.

too many arm chair engineers.

[Frank Lee]

You could always start a thread and request that only those who have built trikes from scratch be allowed to post on it.

I'd still be there.

[Ladogaboy]

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

You could always start a thread and request that only those who have built trikes from scratch be allowed to post on it.

I'd still be there.

Maybe MetroMPG could make a "Peanut Gallery" section.

[sgtlethargic]

Originally Posted by JackMcCornack

...

When the OP went up, I was considering inviting Robert Riley to the forum--I doubt anyone has discussed the Centurion in depth in a quarter century, I thought he'd enjoy it and his comments would be of interest. Now I hope he doesn't find out about it. Half the posts are off topic, and half of what remain are derogatory comments lacking logical justification.
...

Invite him anyway.

[changzuki]

Hi folks, Please bare with me as I wanted to place a link in my very first posting, but I need a minimum of 5 before I can do that. So, not to be a pain but let's start with a count-down and then see how many postings the mystery link will generate!!! I think you all will really enjoy this!
Ready?
-FIVE-

[changzuki]

-four-