Vanning.com logo
Boxdin
Site Navigation


Advertisements
Recent Posts
Good day
by lukester - March 28th 2024 12:26 pm
Crazy mods
by MufflerMan Mike - March 28th 2024 9:38 am
Lew Greger
by MufflerMan Mike - March 27th 2024 5:15 pm
1987 G20 Gypsy
by SDMickey - March 25th 2024 9:39 pm
Featured Links


Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Rating: 5
Page 4 of 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Re: Building high MPG Motor for a 93 Vhevy Van
racprops #326159 September 15th 2009 7:19 am
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,189
S
old hand
Offline
old hand
S
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,189
that was quite a while ago. no longer have that. most all small block chevy front accessories will swap over except the LT1-4 stuff. even 4.3 v6 stuff will swap over. even if you;re converting from an old multi-belt system to a factory serpentine system.

this is the llast pic i took of the car motor before i got rid of all that stuff.. swapped over to vortec heads. note the vertical intake bolts. when it comes to front end parts, I generally make my own mounts and usually will use a serpentine or multi groove belt. i just get everything in place and then measure for the belt size. NAPA will sell you belts based on length. This car here, I had small alternator, remote resevoir power steering and all the brackets were done for an under mounted mini AC compressor.. one that you find on all the newer GM cars.

[Linked Image]

For what it's worth, I used to run this motor at 12.92 in the 1/4 mile. car weighed 3100 lbs. It was a flat topped piston, std. bore cylinder and the stock 97 vortec truck cam. L31 was the OEM number for the cam. was the cheapest 450 hp I ever built. vortec heads, headers, edelbrock intake, holleey 750 and speed-pro flat top pistons.

Last edited by swimmster; September 15th 2009 7:27 am.

Yeah..... I know I know.... It's NOT a van... But if you squint, It could be a REALLY long van?

[Linked Image]
Re: Building high MPG Motor for a 93 Vhevy Van
swimmster #326225 September 15th 2009 10:34 am
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 33
R
newbie
OP Offline
newbie
R
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 33
The Van is a special problem as the Alternator and A/C have to be mounted high on top of the engine right on top of the valve covers...

I am only eyeballing it but worry that the belt tensor will be in the way.

I was hoping to see how and what belt set up you had used on that Van.

A normal car has a lot more room and I could rerig it.
(I did a Cleaven 350 Ford into a 67 Cougar XR7 and a 350 olds into a 78 Van.)

Rich

Re: Building high MPG Motor for a 93 Vhevy Van
racprops #326230 September 15th 2009 10:40 am
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 33
R
newbie
OP Offline
newbie
R
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 33
Also I talked with a couple of people about using a 305 heads on a 350.

They say NO WAY!!!

So question is have you done this with a swirl intake early Vortec type of heads say a 87 on a 93 350??

Sorry to bug you on this but I can not afford the costs nor the time to do this engine a couple of times... so I like NASA really need to be sure before I lunch it.

I take it cutting the 305 heads out to match the 350 gaskets will cure any sharp edges and open the chamber a little as well lowering the compression ratio too.

RIch

Re: Building high MPG Motor for a 93 Vhevy Van
racprops #326254 September 15th 2009 11:35 am
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 7,662
Likes: 2
W
carpal tunnel
Offline
carpal tunnel
W
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 7,662
Likes: 2
I am running a 203/212 duration cam in the stock 350 "crate" engine in my Early Chevy right now.
I put close to 70,000 mile on this engine with the stock cam in this engine.
It only got 9 miles to the gallon.
With this cam not only did the performance of the engine "wake up".
The gas milage increased signifacantly.
11 around town 16 on the hiway.
On the cheap stuff.Driving the van like i stole it......

I have been watching this thread.I have an 89GMC with a 350/700R4 trans TBI injected.
It only gets 11 MPG.
I have a H.O. 350 crate engine setting here waiting to go in the GMC.
I am on the fence weather to run a carb or fuel injection.
I just feel like the puter will not allow the egine to wind out as tight (5 grand first gear shifts)as the carb HEI set lets the engine do......

This low end torque cam made this egine/van really nasty light to light

.........Wookee

Last edited by wookee; September 15th 2009 11:38 am. Reason: added more BS

Its a "Van Thing"
A life style you have to LIVE to understand!

[Linked Image]

Vintage Chevy Van Club
Re: Building high MPG Motor for a 93 Vhevy Van
wookee #326263 September 15th 2009 12:07 pm
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 12,898
Vanner
Offline
Vanner
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 12,898
I guess I am doing good with my 78, stock 305 2BBL with 2:73 gears..stock exhaust with the pizze platter sized original Cat.

I am getting around 17 per gallon @ 55 mph pulling the trailer, about 15 at 70 MPH


I don't need to be honoured by Vanning, I am honoured to be Vanning !
Supporting Vanning, by going Vanning In A Van !
I hate it, when real life interferes with Vanning !
Van Clan Plus One, Vanning since 1977 !
Ontario Federation Of Truckers (Vanner's)
Ottawa Valley Vans
I.B.O.B.
Founder,Mixed Bag Truckers
Re: Building high MPG Motor for a 93 Vhevy Van
Doc 2% of Canada, EH!!!! #326348 September 15th 2009 3:47 pm
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 33
R
newbie
OP Offline
newbie
R
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 33
Well I am being a bit piggy, my van does get 17.73 MPG at 70 MPH.

I want more....

I think the computer controled FI either TBI or TPI is the best way to go...and will give it to me.

I am getting a Romulator that with my Laptop will let me tweak and fine tune the Van like a $3000.00 dyno tune and blueprint job...and I can do it over and over again and again...

The problem with carbs is the get messed up at low RPMs and will dump fuel with you get low vacuun...

And timing control...all machanial..very limited range I have seen a computer controled system go from 40 BTDC to 40 ATDC in a split second, and knock sensors will and can save your motor...

Add in that the average life of Carb motors was 100,000... but I have seen FI motor easly do 200/400,000 miles... My friend Jon has 2004 Ford F250 Van with 400,000 on it, and it still runs good.

I think because of the delay in starting which allow oil pressure to get up and no shot of gas pumped in my the accurator pump every start up...

I would not go back to a carb and spark system unless a Nuke was air bursted and burned out the clips...until then give me FI.

My 2 cents worth.. as a 61 year old car nut...

Rich

Re: Building high MPG Motor for a 93 Vhevy Van
racprops #326371 September 15th 2009 4:29 pm
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 33
R
newbie
OP Offline
newbie
R
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 33
Sadly I fell out of love with computer controled cars with the 96 and newer models, those OBDII system are much harder to tweak...

Rich

Re: Building high MPG Motor for a 93 Vhevy Van
racprops #326403 September 15th 2009 6:10 pm
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 28,125
Madman!
Offline
Madman!
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 28,125
So all of this is to improve from almost 18 MPG? Question for you, and please don't take this the wrong way. What is your projected rate of return on this whole endeavor? Yes, you may be able to get it up to 20 or 25 MPG, but at what cost. So far all the stuff you have been talking about seems rather expensive, unless of coarse, you already have it all, but with the 2 to 7 MPG increase, will it ever pay for itself? The only reason, I'm asking is because it seems like a big expense, and a lot of work without much return.


Ken Schwarz
Tricky Truckers, N.J.
Van Clan Plus One, Canada
Manse Vans, Finland
Rebel Vanners, N.J. "USA"
Toopa Sinner Tribe, N.C.

www.showvans.com

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/360991

[Linked Image]

"Coolness ALWAYS trumps comfort"
Re: Building high MPG Motor for a 93 Vhevy Van
Superbeast #326408 September 15th 2009 6:22 pm
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 12,898
Vanner
Offline
Vanner
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 12,898
You can get almost 10 percent increase by making the rear tire 2 sizes bigger or there abouts...

All you have to do is wait until the rears wear out


I don't need to be honoured by Vanning, I am honoured to be Vanning !
Supporting Vanning, by going Vanning In A Van !
I hate it, when real life interferes with Vanning !
Van Clan Plus One, Vanning since 1977 !
Ontario Federation Of Truckers (Vanner's)
Ottawa Valley Vans
I.B.O.B.
Founder,Mixed Bag Truckers
Page 4 of 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Moderated by  Astro 

Link Copied to Clipboard
Donate


Upcoming Events
discovery
Who's Online Now
0 members (), 17 guests, and 4 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Newest Members
TheDrunkenGunsmith, Jac, LOVclassics, ZenMuffin, Milkman530
12724 Registered Users
Top Posters (30 Days)
SDMickey 129
CatFish 25
frscke1 25
Wedgy 21
Forum Statistics
Forums68
Topics35,746
Posts537,916
Members12,725
Most Online177
May 8th, 2013

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.4