6.5L @ 32-mpg!

[More Power]

I spoke with a member from Florida yesterday who has been keeping a secret....

He built a fuel economy rig a couple of years ago along the same general lines as I've been contemplating for some time now. In his case he combined a 1989 Chevy S-10 Blazer with a NA 6.5L, 5-speed manual and 3.42 gears. According to Allen Harrell, this 3200-lb combination produces 30+ mpg at Interstate speeds...

In addition, he's beginning a new project using a 1999 or 2000 S-10 pickup, only this time with a 6.5TD. We talked about efficiency and whether a turbo would help or hurt. In this case, he plans to run the TD harder, so we agreed a turbo would likely help.

With a little coaxing, I think we might be able work up an article. smile.gif

Jim

[G. Gearloose]

cool!
Mental-note, don't tell MP secrets

[moondoggie]

Good Day!

Can't wait - hope you get an article out of him.

Now if we can do something similar with a full-sized truck... ;) When I 1st got my 82 (6.2, 4spd OD manual tranny, 3.08 gears) in (I think) 1990, EVERY TANK (summer) was between 26.0 & 27.9 mpg. I didn't even bother writing the numbers down back then - I'd drive 400 miles & switch tanks. Then I had a chart on the visor - if I bought between x & y gallons, that was 25.0 - 25.9 mpg, 26.0 - 26.9 mpg, or 27.0 - 27.9 etc etc. Even when I used in an emergency a couple years ago from November to about February, every tank was 24.something. :eek:

Blessings!

[trbankii]

Sounds interesting - definitely looking forward to the article. I'm a bit surprised that he can coax that much mileage out of that setup. My Toyota with a 2.4L four cylinder only gets about 25 to 26 mpg on the highway. Mine is 4x4 and I'm guessing this one is 2WD?

[Marty Lau]

I remember that Dr Lee's little Red truck had a 2.73 when he first got it. I would think on a S-10 size that gearing in taller than 3.42 would be help maybe 3.08 or 3.21 your not going to tow much with it. How did he stuff that 6.5 in an S-10??????? Must have beefed up the front suspension

[HANK1948]

Thats cool, Ive been thinking of doing this for a couple years, I was figuring on getting around 30 mpg. I know a 6.2 or 6.5 would fit (as long as it doesnt have A/C) but my problem is that I live in the conntry and I drive alot of dirt roads and Iam sure the front suspension wouldnt live with all that pounding and the wieght on the front end, so I scraped the Idea :(

[restoguy]

Definitley interested in hearing more about this swap. I have also been considering it, but I wanted to destroke the engine. It doesn't need to be that big, in my opinion, to move an S-dime and smaller displacement should produce better mileage...to a point. I tossed around the thought of building my own V6 version of a 6.5L too. But I think that would cost more in the long run than it would be worth. Even though the experience is worth more than any kind of financial return. I even considered the much hated 4.3 and 5.7 diesels. The 5.7 has about the same power as a 2.8 give or take and is roughly the size of a small block. My dad knew a couple people that had them in big Olds 88's back in the day and they reported 30-34mpg with them. Keep us posted!

[More Power]

Allen owns a well equipped commercial diesel shop, and is a big fan of the 6.2/6.5. He also works on the newer all-electronic Duramax/PSD/Cummins as part of his operation.

We didn't go into how difficult it was to drop a 6.5 into the S-10, but he mentioned he is using the factory exhaust manifolds and a Banks NA exhaust system (2 into one Y-pipe, etc.). He's also using a Corvette aluminum radiator, which should be fine in a rig not used to tow.

He mentioned his TD S-10 will be using a low compression engine using a GM-8 turbo and tuned for as much power as he can get without an intercooler (more of a hot-rod than his NA). :)

Jim