How many "Hot rods" used as Daily Drivers?

[Tx79chevy]

How many out there have a truck with around 350hp+ and drive them everyday? Have any problems and also what engine do you have and how many mpg?

[68GMCCustom]

well....mine is my driver...tho its not daily as I don't do a 9-5 (or 11-7 for that matter) any more. When I need to go...its what I drive.

I like this shot:


street trim:


track trim...tho I I'm thinking on getting a smaller set of tires


Combo is supposed to be good for 500+/- hp at the crank. No problems but then everything is either new or rebuilt. This is no economy vehicle and mpg numbers haven't been taken. It does have an overdrive trans to drop the rpm's on the highway. If I was concerned about using it as a daily...I'd have left the efi on the 6.0L.

Install a late model efi motor (4.8, 5.3, etc) and add an overdrive trans...and as long as everything in your truck is solid... it'd be as dependable as a new truck is.

[oldblue1968chevy]

I DD mine (dunno if its 350 hp lol)

[domeier]

71 K-10, Crate 350/330 hp, th350, 11 mpg

I die keeping the old girl full of gas, but I try to relieve the pain by thinking about all those car payments I don't have to make. Other than the engine, it's not really a hot rod. Skinny tars and no lift.

[N2TRUX]

I think you need to up your HP requirements before you consider it a "Hot Rod". These days, 350 is below standard on late model trucks and SUV's. My wifes 07 Denali has 385hp, and the new Jeep SRT8 will have 490hp

[Tx79chevy]

Well call it whatever you want, Hot Rod or not, I think everyone understands the question. I originally posted this in the 73-87 forum and then it was moved to here. It was originally intended for vehicles that arent as new as the ones you named.

[N2TRUX]

I understand your question and your intent. These days your topic needs specify if you intend to run a carb or injection. With a carb, much more than 400hp is limited in street function. With EFI, a 500HP streeter is become average with the LSx powered crowd.

[Tx79chevy]

Ok I meant with a CARB.

[Indian113]

I drive this as much as possible! It's got a 327 with roller cam and 150 shot of Nos.
Problems-trying to drive with caution and keeping an eye out for the Police
Cons-lopey cam,high stall and loud exhaust
Pros-it is fun to drive,gets around nice,attracts attention everywhere I go
Gas Mileage-YOU GOTTA BE KIDDING ME,you don't drive something with a Carb and HP and expect decent mileage they don't MIX

Especially the way I drive but then I put the pedal to the metal
If I replace my motor I'm going with a LS1 then I'll worry about mileage

[Tx79chevy]

Sweet truck Indian, Yeah I know that a truck like this will get terrible gas mileage. I was just curious as to what other people actually got.

[CoggedBelt75]

Even tho I'm not running carbs on my little 383, this is what gets me around. My only problem was way back when I ran biased ply tires on the back and it would start raining. Glad they came up with radials in my size. In town it is kind'a hard to measure mpg but I do get around 1 1/2 tpw (tanks per week). Good for 10 mpg on the highway.

[Indian113]

Originally Posted by Tx79chevy

I know that a truck like this will get terrible gas mileage. I was just curious as to what other people actually got.

I would guess that a lot of carbed Hot Rod Trucks get between 5-12 miles per gallon. I wasn't trying to be a smart Azz when we decide to build em up most of us don't worry about mileage.

With the thought of going FAST we lower our gear ratio down. I'm running a 4:10 not really a cruise gear.

It's easier to put gas in because I'm not making payments on it.

[Indian113]

CoggedBelt 75,That is a nice set up you have there!! That polish job is a lot of work isn't it? Is there any lag on take off with a blower?

[fastwillie 696969]

no lag here blower whines up real fast ,depends on the pulleys set up too

[Tx79chevy]

You are exactly right Indian. NO PAYMENTS makes it not hurt so bad. Lol

[CoggedBelt75]

Instant response with mine. Not as hard to keep things shining as one would think. I polished about every other month and wipe it down with a damp cloth as needed.

[Indian113]

Thanks Guy's,I don't have any expierence with a blower! I would really like one though,it would look right at home in my model a

[Restrorob]

Well,

Even if my pockets were deep enough I couldn't bring myself to DD my 97, People around here are IDIOTS behind the wheel.....

[oldblue72c10]

"N2TRUX" Sorry DENALI'S dont qualify as a hotrod. Dont get me wrong those Denalis with the 6.2 will flat out move but what the question is talking about our classic chevrolet trucks. 14mpg and less haha

[ratrod67]

I have been driving this except when its raining. BBC, TH400 and 9 inch with 4 link. I don't even try to figure gas mileage. Only thing I plan on doing to it is getting rid of the ground effects.

[CG]

Well, and this is just my opinion =) I see a lot of hot trucks, but no hot rods.

[Indian113]

Originally Posted by CG

Well, and this is just my opinion =) I see a lot of hot trucks, but no hot rods.

That's kind of funny-I've heard John Force call his Funny Car a Hot Rod on Tv.

Just what is the defination of a HOT ROD!

I know what a STREET ROD is-1948 and earlier
But Hot Rod escapes me

[CoggedBelt75]

Originally Posted by ratrod67

Only thing I plan on doing to it is getting rid of the ground effects.

My 2¢, I think your truck looks fine as is.

What is a hot rod is surely in the eye of the beholder
From Wikipedia..........Hot rods are typically American cars with large engines modified for linear speed. The origin of the term "hot rod" is unclear. One explanation is that the term is a contraction of "hot roadster," meaning a roadster that was modified for speed. Another possible origin includes modifications to or replacement of the camshaft(s), sometimes known as a "stick" or "rod". A camshaft designed to produce more power is sometimes call a "hot stick" or, here, a "hot rod". Roadsters were the cars of choice because they were light. The term became commonplace in the 1930s or 1940s as the name of a car that had been "hopped up" by modifying the engine in various ways to achieve higher performance.

[Restrorob]

Originally Posted by CoggedBelt75

My 2¢, I think your truck looks fine as is.

I agree with Joe here, The only thing I'd touch is the GOOO pedal !

[CG]

Originally Posted by Indian113

That's kind of funny-I've heard John Force call his Funny Car a Hot Rod on Tv.

Just what is the defination of a HOT ROD!

I know what a STREET ROD is-1948 and earlier
But Hot Rod escapes me

I think its a to each his own thing ... to me a rod is an much older car, 40s and back, and not street rodded lol. Basically if John Force wants to call his car a hot rod who am I to tell him its not I was just tossing in my 1.5 cents worth.

Definitely some cool trucks for sure though.