Turbo Chargers

January 26, 2001

Okay, let's get this thread off to a decent start!!

After around 10k miles, the mileage on my 350 is improving! I had a new motor put in my '95 after a cylinder wall distorted, and my mileage decreased from about 16-18 on the highway, down to about 14. Now it seems to be improving. I just did a 1200+ mile trip and averaged 16mpg with mostly highway and a little in-town driving. Oh, happy day!!!

Stepside Z · February 10, 2001

N/M

76BBSub · February 20, 2001

I get about 8-10 on my '76 Suburban with a 454 and 90K miles. Turbo 400 tranny...I rebuilt the carb, added an open air cleaner element, tweaked the timing, and upgraded the ignition components to Accel Super Coil, cap and rotor. Helped power, but I still need to dial it in. A friend of mine has an old article about a guy who worked on his 454 Suburban and got 16 mpg. I'd do just about anything to get 16 mpg, except put in a small block (haha).

Oh yeah, I get 15-19 in my '99 GMC X-cab, depending on how heavy my right foot is at the time.

February 20, 2001

I had a '72 3/4 T Camper Special w/a 454 and did the same things you've stated. I also put a Performer Intake and Hooker headers on with El Cheapo turbo-flow mufflers and got 14mpg.

I was real happy!

76BBSub · February 22, 2001

I'm planning to put on a Performer and some DynoMax CeramCoat headers in the near future with a 2-1/2 free flowing exhaust system. Should pick up at least a couple mpg.

Interesting note about the magazine article I mentioned in my last post. The '72-75 454 trucks were total gas hogs, and in '76 they switched back to the '70 454 cam profile, increasing mileage and power. According to Chevrolet, the quickest accelerating vehicle produced by Chevy in '76 was the 1/2 ton pickup with the 454. The Corvette, however, had a higher top speed.

OK, enough of my rambling!