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#1 |
Oh..never mind....
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Oregon
Posts: 588
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OK, I had a strange idea for my Blazer......
After spending $50 a week in gas for my daily driver for gas, I started to of ways to get my Blazer a little more fuel efficient. The original plan was to take out the 454 and turbo 350 trans and replacing it with a 350 Vortec EFI motor and 4L60 overdrive trans that I have from a 1999 Tahoe. I figured that it that should put me into the 14 mpg city and maybe 17 freeway. Then I started to remember the early days of the pre-runners. They were 2WD's that were lifted to look like like 4WD's. Since my Blazer is going to be a street rig only, I thought it might help out a little more with the mpg's I'll admit I have a little to much time at work to think of such things, but I was wondering what your thoughts were on such an idea.
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1972 Blazer -6 inch lift -35 inch BFG A/T's Turbo 350 NP-205 454 BB (for now) MORE TO COME !!!!!! Now going to 2WD!!!!! Sold. ![]() ![]() ![]() I got it back after 22 years and did not even know it !!! THE STORY HERE Project Low Down Dirty Rat |
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#2 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: South Tx
Posts: 1,083
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Re: OK, I had a strange idea for my Blazer......
Are you thinking just pulling your front drive shaft or an all out prerunner? All out would entail: pull the xfer case and run the rear drive shaft directly from the tranny, pull the front shaft, and gut the front axle to save weight. Issues that come to mind: you'll need a longer rear shaft, a different tailshaft on the tranny, and some means to hook up a speedo. I'm sure there's more I've missed... I can't say that I'd do it, but it's an interesting thought.
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#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Nebraska
Posts: 762
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Re: OK, I had a strange idea for my Blazer......
I had the same problem with mine. I was spending close to $300 a month on gas driving from one end of town for school, to the other for work. My conclusion, park the blazer and get something else. Paying for a nother vehicle that is easier on gas seems to be woring out ok. I spend about the same each month, I have another vehicle, and the blazer gets to hang out in the garage and save wear and tear on it.
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#4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Central Vermont
Posts: 8,538
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Re: OK, I had a strange idea for my Blazer......
IMO you'd get a better return swapping in the Tahoe drive train with over drive.
Even so, your thinking has merit. A 4wd drive train has a fair amount of parasitic drag. You loose something like 30% from the motor to the ground. One example: It takes 54HP to run a th-400. ![]() The cost might be prohibitive though, to get any real returns you'd need to do an entire 2wd swap and that in itself would get $$ fast. The mileage lost on your 4x4 is minimal, by unlocking your hubs, your then truly running a 2wd other than power running through the transfer case. If you really need optimum fuel mileage, build a motor/drive train that will give it to you. Finalize your truck, meaning know how it will be in the 'done' stage. Tire size and gears being the need to know parts. With that knowledge, build a motor that produces it's peak efficiency at those highway RPM's mandated by the tire/gear combo your running. Spec the intake, heads, cam and timing curve to those parameters and mileage could be decent. (another expensive option) If you already have the Tahoe drive train, that's the best option. Great all around driveability, injected with overdrive are about the two best thing's you can do, with over drive being #1. Still comes down to tire size and gear ratio even with the new set up though. |
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#6 |
I'm a poor spectator
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: San Antonio, Tx
Posts: 2,287
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Re: OK, I had a strange idea for my Blazer......
I'll probably be the only one who says this but hopefully not. Keep the 454 in it.
50 bucks a week in gas is nothing, ALOT of people including me pay alot more than that. It's your DD, unless you have a backup that's reliable don't go digging into this swap unless you have it all figured out, it won't be as bolt in as you think. Your going from carb to FI and even though the motor will bolt right in there will always be little gremins that will hinder your swap. You have a 6 inch lift and 35's, I don't think you're gonna ever get 17 mpg with either regardless of gears, tranny, motor, etc,etc. My K5 has a 260 hp GM motor with 3.07's and 32 cheapo M/T's and it gets 13 at best with a strong tailwind. Maybe others do better, who knows but that's my experience. Sell the other motor and tranny for some extra gas money or keep it for another project. In the meantime if you want mileage gains start trading your lift for someone with a smaller lift and some different tires. I think that would be your best option but even then don't think you're gonna jump from 10 mpg to 20 mpg. I hope I didn't stir anything up but it's only my opinion and everyone else will probably some other input on this.
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2006 Jeep Unlimited IMPACT ORANGE 1993 Chevy 2500 4x4 ExCab LWB 454/NV4500 Tow rig ![]() 1977 Ford F100 2x4 LWB 1st truck I owned, still have it!!! ![]() 1979 Ford F150 4x4 SWB Built Ford Tough!!! ![]() 1971 Chevy Blazer 350 / SM465 / NP205 UNDER CONSTRUCTION Soon to have a LQ4 6.0!!! |
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#7 |
Oh..never mind....
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Oregon
Posts: 588
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Re: OK, I had a strange idea for my Blazer......
Maybe I should have mentioned this first, but my Blazer is not my DD. My Blazer my project that is a summer time play rig. My DD is a gas sucking full size Bronco that I wish would just go away. My $50 a week is just around town and to and from work. During my 4 month hunting season I drive 2 to3 times as much in a week. It just got me thinking about my Blazers mileage, since I would like to drive it as much as I can when it is finished.
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1972 Blazer -6 inch lift -35 inch BFG A/T's Turbo 350 NP-205 454 BB (for now) MORE TO COME !!!!!! Now going to 2WD!!!!! Sold. ![]() ![]() ![]() I got it back after 22 years and did not even know it !!! THE STORY HERE Project Low Down Dirty Rat |
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#8 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Central Vermont
Posts: 8,538
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Re: OK, I had a strange idea for my Blazer......
It's the price of gas, your basically running through 1 tank of gas that a few years ago wouldn't have mattered.
Besides...put in a small block and you'll miss the big block, I'd bet. ![]() |
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#9 |
2WD Jimmy
![]() Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Davis County, Utah
Posts: 2,564
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Re: OK, I had a strange idea for my Blazer......
Why not just get a small car for milage, and leave the Blazer as is? It might pay.
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#10 |
Future TOTM Winner
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Bulverde, TX
Posts: 2,692
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Re: OK, I had a strange idea for my Blazer......
Everyone’s got an opinion...and here's mine
![]() 1st - get rid of the Bronco, regardless of gas prices (sorry couldn't resist), get something a little more economical like a small car or 2wd s10 or something. 2nd - find a higher paying job / second job. I promise that would be easier than trying to get decent fuel mileage out of these body style trucks! ![]() I have had a few different trucks like this and even the 2wds with high gears still only get and avg of 15 or so no matter what you try. ![]() If you do finally do enough engine/trans/gear swapping you will have spent thousands of $ which far outweighs the little bit more you spend at the pump as it is now. Once again, just my meaningless ramblings and opinions.
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72 Chevy CST K5 HIGHLANDER BLAZER Getting a 6.0,NV4500,NP205,14BFF (Currently laying all over the place in little pieces) 72 Chevy swb step-side "LS" 6.0 Here's a build thread of sorts 2002 HD2500 Crew Cab, 8.1L Allison 4x4 Daily Driver Check it out www.lsdyno.com |
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#11 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Nebraska
Posts: 762
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Re: OK, I had a strange idea for my Blazer......
I just thought about this again, and I realized I was not thinking about it clearly. Instead of trying to change your blazer, I think you should just start buying more blazers. Eventually you will find a blazer that does good on gas; if not, you will have a very nice and large collection of blazers.
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#12 | ||
Oh..never mind....
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Oregon
Posts: 588
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Re: OK, I had a strange idea for my Blazer......
Quote:
Quote:
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1972 Blazer -6 inch lift -35 inch BFG A/T's Turbo 350 NP-205 454 BB (for now) MORE TO COME !!!!!! Now going to 2WD!!!!! Sold. ![]() ![]() ![]() I got it back after 22 years and did not even know it !!! THE STORY HERE Project Low Down Dirty Rat |
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#13 |
Cochino_Racing_909
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: California
Posts: 280
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Re: OK, I had a strange idea for my Blazer......
Do do that to your blazer. If its gas you want to save on go by a 300 dollar road bike and ride it. It will not cost you anything but time. Not to mention it will keep you young and in shape. LOL
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#14 | |
Oh..never mind....
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Oregon
Posts: 588
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Re: OK, I had a strange idea for my Blazer......
Quote:
![]() ![]() I guess I'll stick to my first plan and put in the Vortec with the 4L60-E and keep it a 4x4. The Blazer is really going to be a summer time cruiser so, I won't run it enough to notice. Still, it is fun to toss these ideas around and get some input from you guys to keep me on the right path. ![]()
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1972 Blazer -6 inch lift -35 inch BFG A/T's Turbo 350 NP-205 454 BB (for now) MORE TO COME !!!!!! Now going to 2WD!!!!! Sold. ![]() ![]() ![]() I got it back after 22 years and did not even know it !!! THE STORY HERE Project Low Down Dirty Rat |
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#15 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Washington
Posts: 11
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Re: OK, I had a strange idea for my Blazer......
I get between 13-14 MPG
I have the 260 HP 350, 700, 410s, six inch and 35s. My milage increased by 2-3 when I did the 700. It really jumped when I switched gears from 3:08s. My wife drives a 06 silverado crew with a six inch lift and 35s and she only gets 13.5. IMO a good setup with a light foot works as well as fuel-injected. Although I did buy my buddies prelude for 400 bucks and that gets driven four days a week.
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72 K5/350/700r/205 6"front/7" rear-15-10 Welds/35s STC Top MasterCraft front seats-Factory Back Lookin for paint |
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#16 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 894
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Re: OK, I had a strange idea for my Blazer......
Are the axle gears correct for the tire size you are running? Do you even know if they were ever changed?
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-Chris Building a stripper, one part at a time: 1969 K5, 307, 3spd, 3 seats, hard top. Added Pwr Discs, Pwr Steering, Aux Battery, T-case Skid, Lighted Sidemarkers, HEI, Lock-Right Diff, ECE Class IV Hitch, 32" MT/Rs. Parts to Install: Hand Throttle, Console, Tow Hooks, Dual Horns, AM-FM, Dealer Swing-Away Tire Carrier, Gas Tank Skid. Also building a 1950 Willys CJ-3A and off-roading a 2001 Nissan Frontier on 1-Ton Portals... |
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#17 |
Oh..never mind....
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Oregon
Posts: 588
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Re: OK, I had a strange idea for my Blazer......
I my case, no, the gears are all wrong as they are now. With the 4:56 gears and 34.4 inch tires, it would turn my 454 at almost 2900 rpm at 65 mph and that does not include torque converter slip. With the overdrive 4L60-E, the small block with be running 2026 rpm at 65 mph and no converter slip since it is a lock up style. If I were to go down to 4:11's I could drop it down to a little over 1700, but I want to try the gears I have now to see how they work with that set up.
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1972 Blazer -6 inch lift -35 inch BFG A/T's Turbo 350 NP-205 454 BB (for now) MORE TO COME !!!!!! Now going to 2WD!!!!! Sold. ![]() ![]() ![]() I got it back after 22 years and did not even know it !!! THE STORY HERE Project Low Down Dirty Rat |
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#18 |
Insert Title Here
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Dyer, Indiana
Posts: 5,679
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Re: OK, I had a strange idea for my Blazer......
drop in a straight 5 out of a new Colorado
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BOBBY _69 SWB_ 1000 pics of 67-72's>> http://s193.photobucket.com/albums/z...-72/?start=all << |
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