Guest butlersZ Posted September 30, 2004 Share Posted September 30, 2004 I'm about 75% done with my SBC Z, and will probably want to take the Z on a good 4-500 mile trip, Do you guys take your Z's on any long distance trips, actually driving them? How do they do with gas mileage and such? My engine is decently built, but carb'd so I'm guessing gas mileage will be pretty low. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KraZeeZX Posted September 30, 2004 Share Posted September 30, 2004 Hmm.. I guess the carbs might not help you out in that department, but of course.. gas mileage in a HybridZ is usually lost due to um, ... that independent, 85lb. right foot over there. But seriously though, a lot of it has to do with your gearing and what kind of transmission you have. Datsuns are lightweight and fairly aerodynamic so you've already improved your mileage there. I used to have a 5-speed w/ 4.10 gears in my Z when it had the v6 and got awful gas mileage... something like 11 city and 19 freeway. Now I've got a 6-speed and those same 4.10 gears and I can cruise at 70mph at only 1600 rpms! (According to my dad who has driven it 75 miles coming home from work). You should be fine, I would guess that a 3-speed automatic (not saying you have this) might not be the right transmission to go on a long trip on.. but then again, if your gears are low enough... it just depends. I'm sure I'll be getting great gas mileage, and so should just about every other hybridZ out there... as long as that right foot behaves! Enjoy your trip, and take some pics! -Vann Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim240z Posted September 30, 2004 Share Posted September 30, 2004 If your carby is set up and tuned correctly, open road driving fuel consumption will be comparable to a FI engine. Spend $100 or so at a dyno shop and have it tuned well. It will pay for itself in gas money alone on a long drive.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phantom Posted September 30, 2004 Share Posted September 30, 2004 I've taken my LS1/T56 280Z (3.70 R200) on road trips up to 300 miles one way. It averages about 23-24 mpg at average speeds around 75 MPH. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
COZY Z COLE Posted September 30, 2004 Share Posted September 30, 2004 First of all I agree with TIM on the dyno tune. I've put 7000 miles on mine in the last year so here are a few of my suggestions before you go!! 1. Do a 20 mile cruise to check for cooling problems at highway speeds. 2. Retighten all bolts ,screws, and fasteners. 3. Recheck all fluids. 4. Recheck tire pressure. 5. Reclean battery posts and tighten cables 6. Take a small bag of tools including a spark plug socket. 7. Take a map. 8. Don't forget your cell phone and make sure it's charged. 9. Have a good flashlight and carry a fire ext. 10. Don't trust your fuel gauge. 11. Have your tow card with you and up to date. You may laugh at some of these but don't ask how I know about them!!! LARRY Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phantom Posted September 30, 2004 Share Posted September 30, 2004 Lets see. My technique was kick the tire and light the fire and go. Oops - did check the air pressure in the tire after I kicked it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
80LS1T Posted September 30, 2004 Share Posted September 30, 2004 Datsuns are lightweight and fairly aerodynamic so you've already improved your mileage there. Yeah their about as aerodynamic as a brick! LOL Seriously the GEN1 bodies arent as aerodynamic as they look. However with addition such as airdams, side skirts and rear skirts it does help. Of course lowering it will also help. I also agree a good dyno tune and not driving like a maniac will help a lot! But what fun is it driving like a normal human being when you've got the power on tap? Phantom your a cheater! You've got that nice LS1 in there! Thats not fair to compare to a carb'd 350. I dont think he'll pull even 20mph on a carb'd engine. Guy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jt1 Posted September 30, 2004 Share Posted September 30, 2004 When my 355 was in a 300 RWHP state of tune, it would consistently average about 22mpg on a trip if I kept my foot out of the double pumper. I had a 700R4, 0.70 overdrive in it then. Cozy's list is a good one. John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest butlersZ Posted September 30, 2004 Share Posted September 30, 2004 Well until I get the rest of the little things done on my Z , I can dream of 15-18 miles per gallon right? Motor is 350-400HP range, I have two choices for a trans at the moment, TH350 or powerglide, which have the same final drive ratio so no difference there, 3:54 is the rear end. I would like to have a different trans with an overdrive but they are scarce around here and if I do run across one it's a pretty hefty price. Would like to have FI and a T56 but thats more $$$ I don't have right now. Which carb has better gas mileage given they are both in tune, mechanical secondaries or vaccum secondaries???, given that the ol' lead foot isn't on it all the time. My old silver 260Z that I used to have, had a built inline 6 in it and only got 8-10 MPG, so I'm hoping for more mileage considering a better power to weight ratio. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WickedWild Posted September 30, 2004 Share Posted September 30, 2004 Don't forget to bring a small tool box! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 77vegasz Posted September 30, 2004 Share Posted September 30, 2004 I have a 327 putting out 350 hp into a Turbo 350. As soon as I can afford it, I will be changing to a 700R4. At 80 I am turning 4,000 rpm. My gas milage sucks, but I can nail it and go as I am in my power band at that range. I guess everything has a price. I drive my car to work and back daily, about 20 miles each way and have had no issues. Jon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patzky1 Posted September 30, 2004 Share Posted September 30, 2004 Vegas: Amen, Brother! Man, a 300 hp. enging and no overdrive with 3+ to 1 final drive really sucks on the highway. Seriously, when your torquey motor is happy to be in top gear at like 30 mph something is outta wack! I only get it up to about 70 on the roads just outside of town, but it is already whinning at me! I bet that if you did ANY kind of highway driving an overdrive tranny would pay for itself real quick. The JTR people are not kidding when they say to only to TH 350 or Powerglide if you intend only to drag race... Patzky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KraZeeZX Posted October 1, 2004 Share Posted October 1, 2004 Lets see. My technique was kick the tire and light the fire and go. Oops - did check the air pressure in the tire after I kicked it. Hey Phantom, I just looked at your pics (NICE, NICE, NICE ), where did you find that elbow pipe for your intake? I'm going to need to make an intake setup for my car this weekend, but I need a pipe EXACTLY like that one to get it to work. thx 80LT1 - when I was talking about aerodynamics.. I guess I was just thinking about my friend who has a G-Nose on his 280. But seriously.. if you compare it to other 70's cars... they were pretty aerodynamic.. I mean, come on... how bad would it be compared to a 1975 Mustang??? -Vann Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest butlersZ Posted October 1, 2004 Share Posted October 1, 2004 Phantom, how is your 0-60 with that T56? Cruisin' on the highway must be sweet with that double overdrive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phantom Posted October 1, 2004 Share Posted October 1, 2004 0-60 is about 4.75 Seconds and at 80 mph iin 6th it's turning right at 2,000 rpm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest butlersZ Posted October 2, 2004 Share Posted October 2, 2004 Mmm, Mmm, Mmm, must be nice to have that T56. I think I might look into one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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