Late 3rd Gen Fuel Economy

[VenomZ302]

So this probably won't be the most popular topic, but I'm considering getting a second car to use for commuting when our company moves 25 miles farther away.

I like the notion of having two generations of Camaros and I like the idea of restoring/working on a 3rd gen that I could buy for relatively cheap. What I don't like is what the reported mileage was (16/25, not really better than my 2010), so I was wondering whether it's difficult to tune the engine to be more efficient. Or would it be a better use of money to buy a more fuel efficient engine and drop it in a 3rd Gen body?

I don't care about power. That's what my 2010's for. I'm just looking for something nice to look at where I can boost my fuel economy.

Thanks!

[2ndgenz28]

I get 25-28 driving like I stole it around town with a V6 T5 combo.

but we don't have bumper to bumper traffic like the average rating considers.

[Monte Carlo Man]

Originally Posted by VenomZ302

So this probably won't be the most popular topic, but I'm considering getting a second car to use for commuting when our company moves 25 miles farther away.

I like the notion of having two generations of Camaros and I like the idea of restoring/working on a 3rd gen that I could buy for relatively cheap. What I don't like is what the reported mileage was (16/25, not really better than my 2010), so I was wondering whether it's difficult to tune the engine to be more efficient. Or would it be a better use of money to buy a more fuel efficient engine and drop it in a 3rd Gen body?

I don't care about power. That's what my 2010's for. I'm just looking for something nice to look at where I can boost my fuel economy.

Thanks!

25 miles further - equals about one extra gallon of gasoline each way every day - if the roads that the business was on - is all highway miles - with the right car.

I believe what you are looking for is a HONDA or a TOYOTA.

You don't get gas mileage and performance - all in one package, and you aren't going to want to spend the money to buy a vehicle and then have to take it all apart and make it lighter and more fuel efficient.

One of the best fuel mileage vehicles that I owned was a 1884 z/28 Camaro.

We took the wide wheels and tires off. We took the engine all apart and changed the compression ratio - higher - since more compression makes more power and uses less fuel to move the vehicle. We took the camshaft and valve train out and replaced everything with a more proper cam that was designed to get gas mileage and not performance.
We took the 3.73 gears out of the rear end and replaced them with 3.23 gears. We took the original 700R4 out and replaced it with a B&M transmission. Aluminum drive shaft, Rochester 4 bbl carb, aluminum intake manifold, HEI ignition, electric coolant fans. Got rid of the back seat and all unnecessary junk inside of the car. It would still only get about 28 miles to the gallon. The T roof cars were actually heavier then the solid roof coup's...

[2010 SSRS]

My 88 IROC has a 502 in it , gas mileage unknown

[VenomZ302]

Originally Posted by Monte Carlo Man

25 miles further - equals about one extra gallon of gasoline each way every day - if the roads that the business was on - is all highway miles - with the right car.

I believe what you are looking for is a HONDA or a TOYOTA.

Actually, that's not what I'm looking for, but thanks, anyway.

Originally Posted by Monte Carlo Man

You don't get gas mileage and performance - all in one package

I think I disagree here. All the performance I want (probably more, actually) is what was in my 2000 V6 Camaro since I've got my 2010 SS to handle the performance aspect. My 2000 Camaro also got great mileage for what I needed. In fact, I'd get another 4th gen, but I've already had two, so I'd kind of like to get a 3rd or 2nd gen.

Originally Posted by Monte Carlo Man

One of the best fuel mileage vehicles that I owned was a 1884 z/28 Camaro.

We took the wide wheels and tires off. We took the engine all apart and changed the compression ratio - higher - since more compression makes more power and uses less fuel to move the vehicle. We took the camshaft and valve train out and replaced everything with a more proper cam that was designed to get gas mileage and not performance.
We took the 3.73 gears out of the rear end and replaced them with 3.23 gears. We took the original 700R4 out and replaced it with a B&M transmission. Aluminum drive shaft, Rochester 4 bbl carb, aluminum intake manifold, HEI ignition, electric coolant fans. Got rid of the back seat and all unnecessary junk inside of the car. It would still only get about 28 miles to the gallon. The T roof cars were actually heavier then the solid roof coup's...

Now that's pretty much exactly what I was looking to learn. I want to buy the car cheap to work on, so this isn't out of the realm of possibilities. 28mpg is fine with me. Was that highway, I'm assuming?

Originally Posted by 2ndgenz28

I get 25-28 driving like I stole it around town with a V6 T5 combo.

Very good to know. Thanks for chiming in! My driving conditions may become similar, since my commute will probably only have minimal lights/stop signs.

Anyone else got something to share? I'd love to hear it.

[Vega]

I drive a 91' RS 305 in need of a tune-up and i still get good mileage, i get around 23-25mpg on average highway, city, everywhere, rough average, they're good daily drivers definatly, you get all the muscle you need and the mileage is just fine as long as you're not a stingy tree hugger haha XD

PS: If you can find an 1884 Z28 like that guy up there, BUY IT!! XD

[AZCamaroFan]

depends what engine and rear axle combo you get. i had a low milegae 89' IROC 350 with the 2.77 axle. I got 17mpg in the city. then i had a low miles 90 IROC 350 with the 3.23 axle. i got 16 in the city. on the highway i'd usually get 23 doing 70-80mph. only time i got 25mpg was when i had to hold it at 55mph on a long trip cause i was driving behind my dad who was pulling a boat. that was the top of the line engine in those years and carried on through 1992.i don't think the lesser engines really got any better mileage actually.

[Motorhead79]

Not to be a smart *** but move closer= FUEL SAVES! There are many ways to save on fuel. I had 2 IROC-Z camaros one was an 85 and the other an 87. The 87 got the most fuel economy average highway was 27 MPG. But the mods were expensive, from what i was told when i bought it the previous own had already invested nearly 5k into the drive train system. It had unbelievable power in that 305 V8 tune port injected engine. The only major mod I did was cold air intake and the biggest help is to change the gearing. I went from a 3.73 gear ratio to 2.68 because i did alot of highway driving not 1/4 mile racing. At 75 miles per hour the RPM gauge was around 1,800 RPM if the HP wasn't where it was it would be struggling at the RPM especially up hill. That IROC needed lower gears it was shearing the sets of 3.73's ring and pinions i kept putting in it, it helped tame the car some by increasing the load on the engine. My average fuel range on long trips had me filling up just outside Scranton PA and I would need gas again till Roanoke VA, and that fill up lasted me all the way to Orangeburg SC!!!!! P.S. I was on Fumes though each time lol.

[Supercamaro64]

i have an 86 v6, but i dont really get that good of gas mileage, maybe 18-22, somewhere in there. of course, its in need of a tune-up, and i drive it like some stupid 17 yr-old(cuz i am some stupid 17 yr-old), and i do suck every bit of power out of that little engine that i can lol, so im probly not a great example. but if you can find a 3rd gen that does what you want, then go for it!!

[VenomZ302]

Originally Posted by Motorhead79

Not to be a smart *** but move closer= FUEL SAVES!

Moving is part of the plan, but that's only half true. I currently live 2 miles away from work. That means that my engine doesn't have enough time to properly warm up and, therefore, doesn't run as efficiently as it would if I worked 10 miles away.

[EnfuegoZ28]

My 91 Z28 with a 350 TPI got 27 mpg driving like an idiot on the highway and it was stock. So power and economy is very possible. I've heard of 30 mpg highway out of LS1/T56 4th gens.