| Re: Gas mileage info on '78 Buick Regal? [message #781458] |
Fr, 14 Juli 2006 02:57 |
|
Those are ideal figures for a carefully driven car in good tune. Note
also that in 1985 the EPA started adjusting their dynamometer-based
fuel economy figures in some way (I think with a sizeable fudge
factor) in response to widespread compaints that they were simplistic
tests that gave unrealistically high results. (Another major change
in the way the testing is done is now being discussed or perhaps it has
already been mandated, and is expected to ratchet the numbers down
again.)
Not until that platform got the redesigned "3800" version of the
engine (1988?) and consistent fitment of a 4-speed (1986-ish) would I
look for even an mpg or two increment on that, although driveability
and power doubtless improved. (I had some first experience with an '80
Cutlass Supreme with the V6 and distinctly recall it as being
labor-intensive to keep in tune, as well as finicky about gasoline.)
By today's standards it was a sizeable vehicle with a large aerodynamic
cross section, a fairly lossy tranny, and what a friend of mine refers
to as the heart-lung machine era of engine controls. Progress over
the fuel economy of earlier models was merely incremental until they
started building quite different cars with much better engine controls.
Note also that by now, the engine could be worn or the carb aging orout
of adjustment or the tranny slipping or whatnot -- additional factors
against getting the theoretical mileage potential.
Cheers,
--Joe
|
|
|
