mpg help

[Sixty_Six_Stang]

Hi all

To make a long story short I'm a poor college student and I would like to know what is the best speed to cruise at to get the best mpg. I have a 66 mustang that has a fresh rebuilt engine and 3 speed tranny. Everything is stock except for the Petronix electronic ignition. Thanks in advance for your input

 

[Stubby]

It's a linear thing. The faster you go, the more air you are pushing. On the hwy, you can check it by running a couple of tanks at 55 and a couple at 70. Then figure what you can live with.

In the city, how fast you drive isn't as important as how fast you get to that speed. If you accelerate moderately and let off the gas sooner when coming to a stop, you will see a noticable improvement.

Do some searches on MPG and you will get tons of useful info. You should be able to get mid twenties easily.

 

[Harte3]

What Stubby said plus drive like Grandpa...but without riding the brakes like Grandpa might do

 

[Lazy JW]

35-40 mph will get about absolute maximum mpg. You will be in top gear holding up traffic for MILES.
Joe

 

[JackFish]

What Stubby said plus drive like Grandpa...but without riding the brakes like Grandpa might do

And use your turn signals!!

 

[Bort62]

It's a linear thing. The faster you go, the more air you are pushing.

That relation is actually not linear at all.

 

[addo]

I think the best solution here for our OP, would probably be a T5 installation. The forum is yet to experience someone posting "It was a waste of time and money" on this swap.

 

[Bort62]

I think the best solution here for our OP, would probably be a T5 installation. The forum is yet to experience someone posting "It was a waste of time and money" on this swap.

But in all honesty, it will take a long time for the gas savings to surpass the cost of the swap.

To get the best MPG for a given setup, you want to drive at a speed where your engine is most efficient. Where that is depends on a lot of things, and the best thing to do is to just experiment w/ your setup.

Also, make sure your tune situation is good and you are running vacuum advance. Air up your tires, and take it easy on the funpedal.

 

[Geezer 300]

Most of the vehicles I've driven recently seem to get the best mpg around 40 mph. Alex

 

[level3porkproducer]

we are talking about hot rods here people. if you want gas mileage there are plenty of people who will trade a honda for your stang.

 

[jamyers]

we are talking about hot rods here people. if you want gas mileage there are plenty of people who will trade a honda for your stang.

Umm, not really - where'd you get that idea? Check out the threads on how people drive their Ford6's, lotsa daily drivers there.

Best speed for mileage is generally as fast as you can go before the air resistance starts going up exponentially - generally around 50-60mph with most cars. Not that I recommend going 50mph on the interstate...

 

[BIGREDRASA]

Some basic things can give you small gains incrementally. Use Platinum plugs. Use the Flamethrower coil. Use a low restriction air cleaner. Make sure tires are 25" diameter or slightly taller. Make sure tires are inflated to the maximum recommended pressure. Empty the excess weight out of your trunk. Use synthetic or Motorcraft Synthetic Blend oil of the lowest viscosity recommended. (For our old engines I'd recommend 10W-30 in Summer & 5W-20 if you have cold winters.) Keep the carb set to the leanest idle & set your accel pump to the lower setting that will not bog down. Anticipate lights, so you reduce use of the brakes. Drive like you had a huge, painful lister on the sole of your right foot.

 

[Harte3]

A cheap vacuum guage is a good investment. Drive to achieve the highest reading you can when cruising and that will be the "sweet spot".

 

[Sixty_Six_Stang]

thanks for all your input

I think the best solution here for our OP, would probably be a T5 installation. The forum is yet to experience someone posting "It was a waste of time and money" on this swap.

i would love to have a t5 manual but im still paying off the new engine
btw what all would i need to do to swap in a T5?

we are talking about hot rods here people. if you want gas mileage there are plenty of people who will trade a honda for your stang. Laughing

haha, I been restoring my girl for the last 3 years and im not gunna give her up just like that

 

[addo]

The short, snappy answer to "What do I need for a T5 swap" is $1200-$1400. A trans, a modified bellhousing, a new crossmember for the rear housing, tailshaft modification (usually), clutch kit, flywheel machining and a few other details I've probably skipped over.

There is the potential of some "retained value" should you ever sell the car, because it could be set back to original if you kept all the parts.

 

[Bort62]

The short, snappy answer to "What do I need for a T5 swap" is $1200-$1400. A trans, a modified bellhousing, a new crossmember for the rear housing, tailshaft modification (usually), clutch kit, flywheel machining and a few other details I've probably skipped over.

There is the potential of some "retained value" should you ever sell the car, because it could be set back to original if you kept all the parts.

Well I did mine for about 300 bucks, but I am special I guess...

 

[addo]

How far are you from Irvine? If you can do another for $300 and sell it at 100% markup...

 

[Bort62]

haha, cute.

I am confident I could do another for 300$ cost, but my labor is worth something, I think...