Joined: Sat Jun 07 2008, 12:59AM
Location: Fort Lewis, Washington
Posts: 394
Today I took my Newport on her first real road trip since installing the cam/intake/carb etc. I decided I wanted to make a trip log to see what kind of fuel economy I would get as compared to what I got with the stock cam/edelbrock 600/Edelbrock Performer 383 intake. I used a pretty nifty app on my phone that is a gps speedometer/odometer/etc. The cool thing was it was a free app:)
The good: Total trip distance was 255 miles. I filled the tank at the gas station down the street from my house and set out. Leg 1: 127 miles, average speed 67.4MPH, avg RPM 2550, temp 62 and raining. Used 7.23 gallons of gas....avg 17.56 MPG!!! On the return trip I decided to stop every 60 miles and fill up to get a better idea of an average. Leg 2: 59 miles, average speed 68.2MPH, avg RPM 2550, temp 55 and raining. Used 3.36 gallons of gas...avg 17.55 MPG. Leg 3: 60 miles, average speed 66.9MPH, avg RPM 2500, temp 52 and raining. Used 2.83 gallons of gas...avg 21.2MPG!!!!!
The Bad: When I arrived at my destination I noticed she was running a bit rough. I turned the car off and proceeded to load it full of Army gear and other stuff. 15 minutes later I tried to fire her back up but she wouldnt start. I suspected the fuel pump as I knew it was already on the way out. I disconnected the fuel line after the pump and after about 10 seconds of cranking there was not but a dribble coming out. Luckily I had an electric pump in the trunk that I had taken off a few weeks ago. 10 minutes later the electric pump was installed and she was running again. I noticed that my part throttle drivability was much much much better than before, so I guess it's not all that bad.
The Questionable: In my storage facility I found a set of headers that a buddy had given to me about 1 1/2 years ago. He has a 62 Newport w/ a 361. He bought them for his car but they wouldnt fit, but he said they should fit my car. They are Hedman Street Headers part number 78030. I googled the part number and they are full length headers for a big block B/E body...my question is will they fit my C body? If so, I would love to use them as 1)they were free and 2) I would much rather use a full length header as opposed to a shorty. If they wont fit, they are definitely for sale...50 bucks buys them! They are brand new, never been used.
Joined: Sat Jun 07 2008, 12:59AM
Location: Fort Lewis, Washington
Posts: 394
Okay, that sounds pretty doable. Im pretty stoked to get them on and then run open headers all the way to the exhaust shop. Any tips or tricks for removing the old nuts/bolts so I dont snap any off in the head? That would be a real disaster for me...
4Door, which new cam, intake and carb are you using? Your old setup sounds like what I currently have; Carter 600 AFB, Edelbrock Performer 383 and a mild cam..
Joined: Sat Jun 07 2008, 12:59AM
Location: Fort Lewis, Washington
Posts: 394
Yeah I had the Performer 383 intake, the AFB 600, and the stock cam. Now I am running a Performer RPM intake, Thunder Series AVS 800 carb, and Performer RPM cam w/ 300/308 duration and .480/.495 lift. It's all way too big for streetability, but I love it and it runs like a raped ape! Apparently it still gets pretty decent mileage on the highway too LOL. I cant wait to see what kind of gains I get from the headers...those lo-po logs are killing power, tons of air coming in, not much coming out LOL