Re: 304/290/200R4 - now V8 Fuel Mileage

[fljab@xxxxxxxxxxx]

On May 10, 2005 Tom Jennings wrote:

> I know this will seem like blashphemy to performance V8'ers, but
> since the six and the gen2/gen3 8's all weigh more or less the
> same, what about running a 360 massively detuned?
> 
> Think of it as a TORQUE MONSTER and not 360=big HP.

I DO have (2) 360's on a stand; one is as-pulled, and the other is a '73 360 I rebuilt to stock specs.  It was pulled out of an AMX and was an original 4 bbl motor.  Dunno if there's any difference in cam specs or compression vs a 2 bbl motor, but it rebuilt great with no overbore or undersizing the crank/rods.  I reused the pistons and cam with new bearings/rings throughout and the valley oiling mod added.

I had been toying with putting this in my 390 car with the T5 behind it while I rebuild that engine. I could use it to test these 360 vs 304 mileage figures except for a couple of things:
> I don't have a 304 to compare it to
> I would have to set it up as I would the 390 in some respects, esp in regard to the exhaust.  The 390 I intend to have a solid 400+ rwhp, gas mileage be damned...
> I have 3 intakes to choose from, altho any could be used with TBI I'd think:
  - Torker
  - R4B
  - Offy Dual Quad

I have the R4B on the 390 now, and it most likely would be the best choice for TBI/gas mileage setup.  I do not have a stock cast iron 4 bbl manifold (had one, sold it), I do have a stock 2 bbl manifold (can't hardly give those away!).
> The biggest obstacle is that this car is tore apart right now and is 1 to 3 yrs away from running again.  It's one of those things that I started working on stuff, and updated quite abit, but as I got deeper, I realized I was just putting a bunch of band-aids on it, and really needed to disassemble to "do it right".

On 304 vs 360 mileage, I see that from a torque standpoint, that running the 360 would be a better choice, but I'm sure there's a point of diminishing returns as for normal driving, how much do you need?  I DO want to run a V8, but what would be realistic returns on power from both engines set up as a torquey, gas mileage type engine?

Maybe it (the 360) could be setup with the stock 2bbl manifold, a TBI from a small V8 or even the 4.3 GM.  

Jim Boone
Mims, FL


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