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True daily driver 4.3/OD 72

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Bowtie70ss

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
On my 25 mile commute this morning I was doing some thinking. I recently bought a 72 SS454 Elcamino sans engine and transmission. It is not in terrible shape and I have a lot of the parts it does need. I recently dropped in a 402/thm400 to get it running so I can move it around but the 402 is sick and I don't really wanna stick any money into it. That got me to thinking, maybe I could stick a 4.3/700R4 into the camino so I could drive it to work. Right now I drive a 97 GTP grand prix so if the camino got 20-22 mpg then fuel cost wise it would be do-able. I really love to drive the old cars and this way I could/would. I could leave the 4.3 injected or just use a 4bbl intake from a late 80's truck/van. Anyone ever heard of one of those swaps? I don't think mounts would be terribly difficult and I have the wind tunnel fan shroud that came from the same monte carlo as the 402.


Dave
 
#3 ·
We have an '05 Jimmy with the 4.3 and 5 speed. We have run just over 22 mpg (US) on a long four hour trip. It probably doesn't average any more than 20 at the very best. People who have the automatics seem to be quite a bit worse from what they tell me. I would think that a '90s LT1 would do better and have a lot more power. Put that in and you very likely won't be taking it out. It's in our plans.
 
#4 ·
How about an 4.8? I was thinking about it for an S-10 to DD. In the regular cab trucks with manual transmissions they get 28MPG from what I have heard.
 
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#5 · (Edited)
Wouldn’t just installing a GMPP 200hp Good wench 350 engine with a two barrel carb, 700r4, and 308's in the rear do the same thing? My Dad has this combo in a '73 Nova and he tells me he's getting 28mpg on the freeway..... Why try to install something that might take some work to do if it doesn't add to the equation? The above combo should almost be a bolt on. Now, I can understand if it’s to do something different but if your just trying to get better gas mileage why waste the time?
 
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#6 ·
I might consider a 305/700R4 but never a 4.3 V-6. Just aint right. You could still get 20 MPG with a bone stock 305 combo. The big full size trucks and Blazers got 20 MPG with a 305 back in the day. :D
 
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#7 ·
Motorhead62 said:
I might consider a 305/700R4 but never a 4.3 V-6. Just aint right. You could still get 20 MPG with a bone stock 305 combo. The big full size trucks and Blazers got 20 MPG with a 305 back in the day. :D
Click to expand...
My old 1984 GMC Jimmy C/K 4x4 had a 305 with a 700r4 and it use to get 21 mpg before I started changing it. Gas mileage is easy if your willing to pay for it in performance. Good luck to which ever way you decide to go. Just remember sometimes simple is better.:beers:
 
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#8 ·
18-25mpg in a 4x4 hemi durango, but its not a chevy. what about an ls1 aluminum block less block wheight. I heard they are good if you drive them normal. or 5,3
 
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Discussion starter · #9 ·
I'm trying to go low buck as possible. THe 305/700R4 is another possibility that I had thought of. I would do a 5 speed 4.3 as well and if the turbo 3.8/200R4 weren't so expensive I would definately go that way. I hate to cut the car up since it is a W code but the original engine(454) is gonzo.

Dave
 
#10 ·
Motorhead62 said:
I might consider a 305/700R4 but never a 4.3 V-6. Just aint right. You could still get 20 MPG with a bone stock 305 combo. The big full size trucks and Blazers got 20 MPG with a 305 back in the day. :D
Click to expand...
I still have the 9.2 to 1 compression 305 in my 83 , when it was bone stock with 3.08's on 31 inch tires I was lucky to get 15 - 18 highway staying out of the Quadrajets secondaries . ( always in tune , passing emissions )

4 inches of lift , 35's and 4.56' in there now , and I am lucky to see 13 .

I daily drive a roller motor 93 pickup now , and the Blazer doesn't see nothing but trail duty :D
 
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#11 ·
Dave my 72 has a 350 TPI engine from an 89 Camaro with full computer controls. 700R4 tranny, 3.73 12 bolt posi rear. At the local track in street trim with the AC on it runs 15.3's. On the daily drive to work it is getting 22.3 mpg. Sounds good, will burn the tires nicely and great gas mileage.

IMO a much better way to go then a V6, and once you remove the fuel injection and go to a carb the mpg will probably drop.
 
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