EPA paper on '71 Diesel-powered Pinto
 

EPA paper on 1971 Diesel-powered Pinto: http://nepis.epa.gov/Adobe/PDF/9100X4Q9.PDF

Especially look at MPG's given in Tabe IV on page 8!

I don't have time to read the whole paper, but those numbers sure are significant.

I'll be revisiting this when I have more time to figure out the configuration of the car.

Diesels rock, even in a Pinto.

0-60mph in 22.5 seconds with the Diesel Pinto vs the VW Rabbit Diesel with 17.5 seconds. But 63 MPG vs 45 MPG.
The OD was only good for a 5% improvement(63 vs 60 MPG).

They mention several times that the gearing and tall rear tires drastically affected the acceleration and handling though. No doubt a production version would have had shorter rear tires and gearing.

HINT -- "...reading between the lines..." one can get general ideas of 'how much' various "changes" might affect fuel economy -- EPA did the "testing" all we have to do is do the "trying."

Good eyes...

Like you said, they already did the testing. ;)

I just happen to have a 1974 Chevy C10 that was retro fitted with the same diesel engine except it is a 6cy. 92hp.

I haven't driven it in a while, 2-3 yrs. It just sits in the garage. lol

From what I remember it got 19 hwy,22 city.

It has a 4 speed manual, don't remember the rear end ratio. But, as it is a 4000 rpm engine it was screaming pretty good on the highway, hence the reversal on the mpg figures. I have a 5 speed IROC tranny waiting to go in. It has a 30% overdrive and should help bring down the rpm's for better fuel effiency.

Too many projects, not enough time.

>

Chrysler-Nissan diesel. Woah. I hadn't heard of that till right now. I am too young for that, I guess. A quick Google search revealed that I have been missing out on something big. Thanks, Old Tele man.

Compare Old and New MPG Estimates

I wonder how that would compare to the 84 Sentra diesel. I have seen a Nissan 6 cylinder diesel in an International Scout, sweet little setup. I think it was 2.4 liters. The Sentra was 1.7 liters, but I'm sure it did not have the Pinto's overall final drive ratio of under 2 to 1. They put diesels in the original Maximas (RWD). Also some of the 720 Pickups.

I know the Sentra engine would rev to 5k RPM. The car was very peppy and light, original EPA highway at 56 MPG. Remember they were running them slower that the current EPA.

Saw an 83 Maxima diesel at the dealership with 864,000 miles on the original engine. Wouldn't start cold due to low compression. The owner drove it to that mileage in 9 years.

regards
Mech

I got almost 60mpg with my Chevette, just couldn't quite crack it. But 37.5rwhp at the tires is less than some of the Quads that my buddies have!

...two things to note: (a) the National Speed Limit back then was 55 MPH and (b) at 55 MPH the typical small car needs only about 10-15 HP to maintain that speed.

...I, too, briefly owned a '81 Chevette with the Izusu NA diesel engine.