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#34861 09/28/2003 6:18 PM | Joined: May 2003 Posts: 224 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: May 2003 Posts: 224 | hey i heard from someone that the inline six engines get worse gas milage than the v8s. i thought it was obsurd, but the guy insisted onit and i dont know that much about engines. in most cases is this a true statement or is this guy just full if it? | | |
#34862 09/28/2003 8:12 PM | Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 687 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 687 | I think I can safely say that the answer to your question is - it depends. Vague answer, yes. But really the answer depends on what inline 6 your talking about versus what v8. And the vehicle application for each engine. Of course gearing and performance modifications factor in too.
As a real example it is very likely that the mildly built 292 in my 1966 half ton pickup will get worse gas mileage than a stock 283. Probably even worse mileage than a mildly built 283 in the same vehicle. But, for another example, a well tuned stock 250 will probably do better in fuel ecomony than a 350 in most standard passenger vehicle applications.
There's no single "yes" or "no" answer to the question that will cover all cases.
-ftyler | | |
#34863 09/28/2003 8:30 PM | Joined: Feb 2001 Posts: 1,897 Member | | Member Joined: Feb 2001 Posts: 1,897 | Carburetion, gearing, size of engine, weight of vehicle, how it is driven, Many factors involved..
There is enough good in the worst of us and enough bad in the best of us that it does not behoove any of us to criticize the rest of us.
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Be yourself. If you are ever lost, It will be much easier to find yourself if you know who you are!
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#34864 09/28/2003 11:41 PM | Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 613 Member | | Member Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 613 | my 89 camaro with a 305/700r4 with a 3.42 rearend gets 23 mpg on the highway. | | |
#34865 09/29/2003 12:44 AM | Joined: Aug 2000 Posts: 800 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Aug 2000 Posts: 800 | Go check out the mileage of a **** 300 inline vs. a 305 SBC and tell me what you get. It won't be pretty.  | | |
#34866 09/29/2003 9:12 PM | Joined: May 2003 Posts: 224 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: May 2003 Posts: 224 | thanks for the replies guys, i really didnt know that the difference was thaat close. makes sense though, thanks again | | |
#34867 09/30/2003 12:24 AM | Joined: Apr 2003 Posts: 140 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Apr 2003 Posts: 140 | Aww, heck, I'll go for the straight answer.
V-8s get better mileage.
As far as the engine choices for Chevy trucks, comparing SB V8s and stovebolts, the V8s will give better mileage. Why?
Better 'specific fuel consumption;, i.e. how much fuel is burned to make how much HP per hour. This is typically measured on a dyno. The V8s give better SFC than the sixes.
Why? Better breathing and higher compression ratio.
It takes a certain amount of HP to push your truck down the road at 55 MPH. Whether it's a 6 or an 8, the amount of work being done is the same. (Actually, given than the SB is about 100 pounds LIGHTER than the 6, it's doing *slightly* less word, but the difference is very small.)
The SBC will turn in better mileage than the 6. Now, if you take advantage of all the extra V8 power and decide to drive at 70 instead of 55, you will get worse mileage, because it takes a lot more HP to go 70 than 55.
Usual disclaimers: we're talking properly tuned street engines here, etc.
Cheers!
George | | |
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