Fuel Consumption

[Noel]

Just been down to Devon for the SW Meet and thought it was about time I bit the bullet and verified what fuel consumption I could get. I have always advocated that it should not make any difference what it was, if you are worried about fuel consumption..... get a hybrid. But anyway, I was shocked.......

Just over 200 miles each way, M25, M4 and M5 with some "A" roads at each end and a couple of water/fuel stops in each direction. Kept to 70ish the majority of the time, stretching the right foot occasionally , with the engine running at approx 2400rpm when on the motorways.

journey down.......19.7 mpg
journey back........20.1 mpg

that's on a SBC 383cu in with an Edelbrock 600cfm carb

I bet an LS would have trouble matching that and I think says a lot for Jez and Ian at British American Engines


I could nearly use it as a daily run-around , but don't get me wrong, I can still make that fuel gauge move like a tacho when I'm having fun

[CycleSi]

Noel,

You're letting the V8 side down with that 'modern fuel efficiency' - a maximum of 8 mpg is acceptable.

You clearly need to have another 'roadtrip' with me.

Off now to increase my carbon footprint courtesy of some high octane petrol and nitrous !

CycleSi

[Noel]

Noel,

You're letting the V8 side down with that 'modern fuel efficiency' - a maximum of 8 mpg is acceptable.

You clearly need to have another 'roadtrip' with me.

Off now to increase my carbon footprint courtesy of some high octane petrol and nitrous !

CycleSi

LOL.....you're right, I would never see double figures when I'm out with you

[chedz]

Noel, that's impressive, about the same as my 3.5 around town/lanes.

Do you know how/what the guys at BAE did to tune up the carb? Did they use lambda probes on the rolling road when they built it or do they just "know" what setup for the carb for an engine of that spec?

Pete and I are about to do some work on fine tuning carbs and are "investing" in some kit, just wondered what the pros use?

cheers

Graham

[Noel]

Don't laugh, but Jez use's his eyes To quote "if your eyes don't water when you start her up......it's too lean"??????

Obviously he has years and years of experience and just "knows" when it sounds right. He sets the timing with a strobe and then the mixture by experience.........sickening

I have a gas analyser if it's of any use?

[Purple AK]

Must be the SW air Noel Seriously though, I always get 20+mpg on the long runs. 29mpg was my best effort

[KevinW]

I talked to Mike Huddard about mpg and big blocks sometime ago.
He told me that a 390FE properly set up should see in excess of 20mpg on a long trip.
Hopefully he'll be along to confirm that.

Kevin

[legend]

Kevin, I hope Mike does confirm that but I doubt it with Tony 'LEADFOOT' driving it.

[runt]

So.. my favourite engines from the Golden Age of Motoring are..efficient, too.. I take it Mike wasn't referring to a 390FE pulling a T-Bird along..?
My Ford Windsor probably wouldn't be so bad either.. if I didn't keep using all the go-juice flooding it on cold starts!

Paul.

[Noel]

Must be the SW air Noel Seriously though, I always get 20+mpg on the long runs. 29mpg was my best effort

That is SERIOUSLY impressive Chris