hey guys i need some help. i'm into my first restoration ever so i'm a rookie. I have a 68 camaro w/ a 350 block and am about to rebuild the engine. i'm considering a 383 stroker buildup that will put out 460hp. my ? is with the overbore and stroke will it put the hurt on my gas mileage? my car will be a daily driver and my drive to work is about 25mi. i have a carter 4chamber afb carb and a eddlebrock rpm performer intake on the block right now. can i get this set up running without the dollar bills running out of my wallet for gas? i really appreciate all your input. thanks zack68 graemlins/clonk.gif

the whole combination and how it gets used will dictate fuel efficiency. if you have a wicked cam that makes power at 5000 rpm's- and gear it for optimum acceleration and drive like it's the last lap at daytona all the time- you will get bad fuel economy. if it is cammed more for off idle torque, with 3.08 gears, and is driven as if the gas pedal only goes 1/4 the way to the floor, you will get great (for what it is) fuel economy. 20 mpg isn't unheard of with a 383.
btw- i've been to Odessa, Texas. my biological "father" lives in the area. that's a hell of a drive from here in MN...

thanks derrick. about the cam, the buildup suggests a 286 magnum comp cam. what do you think about that? also i have stock 64cc heads now and the new ones will be 70cc. :rolleyes:

Fuel economy and power are inversly proportional. However, it is my opinion that if you build a stroker you'll be optimizing street performance. If you don't over cam it and keep your foot out, you'll get decent gas milage. It should also throw you back in the seat pretty good when you cut loose.

-dnult

Here's a link to a guy that runs mid-11's in a 383 powered 85 Vette, and gets 27 mpg on the road:

http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c4/beach_bum/TheResults.shtml

thanks guys for your help. i'll be posting other ?'s later i'm sure. graemlins/waving.gif

Fuel economy and power are inversly proportional. not always true. my car puts out 321 RWHP and gets 28 mpg : graemlins/beers.gif but that is what fuel injection and double overdrive gets you.

I think that an overdrive transmission would really help out. The low end torque would be there to cruise at low rpms. Though this may be out of the scope of you project.

Ackattack...surely your not getting 28MPG and 321HP at the same time. More like 28MPG when your foot is off the gas cruising in OD. Right? That's the point I was trying to make. I think stroked motors are an exellent way of getting the best of both as your example supports. I agree with OD. I've got a 700R4 in my 68, but haven't had much road time with it yet. Cold wet weather has me behind schedule.

-dnult KSU 91

To an extent (depending on how radical you go with your engine), it's all about how you drive. If you have 4.11 gears, a 1:1 final trans ratio, and plan on cruising down the highway at 75 MPH, don't expect good fuel economy with anything, including a stock engine.

For example: I had an 84 camaro with 3.73 gears, 700R4, and a 350 putting out 325 HP, and 365 torque (at the flywheel) with a 650 double pumper. I could cruise at reasonable highway speeds (75 or less), and get 18 MPG with it. I also ran a best of 13.89 @ 98 MPH with it (probably could have gotten better times if I would have done some tuning, and had a better torque converter). Granted, if I was on the throttle all the time, mileage was significantly less.

I agree with most of the others - build something for low to midrange torque, and match your final drive ratio to how you plan on driving the car. Don't get too wild with your RPM range, and you shouldn't have any problems at the pump. graemlins/beers.gif

If you are worried at all about fuel economy DO NOT build a performance motor, buy a Honda.

What I meant was, just because you have a lot of horse power doesn't always mean you can't get good fuel mileage.

Another note. I believe that if you look at improving engine efficiency, you will get more power and better fuel economy.

The TRACO engines I stuffed into early 90's Corvettes and Camaros produced around 450HP/550ftlbs and got 26-28 MPG on 91 R/M pump.

The real deal comes down to 'Brake Specific Fuel Consumption'.

The more efficient, the less fuel needed to make the power....the better the performance with the fuel efficiency.

Hey Zack, I live in Odessa too and have a fully restored black 68. If you drive 25 miles to work, you must work in Midland, which is where my machine shop is located , and the car is kept in Midland too.
Next time your running around Midland stop by my shop at 3606 w Wall st, I'd like to see your camaro. And, We have built a ton of 383s and might have some tips/info that could help you out.
Or come out to Penwell Saturday night to test and tune, I'll be out there in mine making some passes.
Scott

Ditto, Chicane... pdq67