> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-dakota-truck@bent.twistedbits.net [mailto:owner-dakota-
> truck@bent.twistedbits.net] On Behalf Of Quintin
> :
> : Quintin wrote:
> : > I am still on a quest for better mileage for my 92 Dak V6 CC. The
> underdrive
> : > pulley and flexi fan improved MPG about 2 points. After reading the
> article
> : > here: http://www.vetteweb.com/tech/0204vet_rockers/ I am wondering if
> I
> : > should swap the stock 1.6's out for 1.5's. The article implies that I
> could
> : > actually gain torque, with a sacrifice to upper rpm power. I can live
> with
> : > that, I don't race the thing, I just drive it.
>
Well Quintin, I did take a look at that article and what I saw was they were
testing a chevy engine that was designed to use a 1.5 rocker. They
reported that most stock chevy rockers were closer to 1.46 and they gained
power when switched to a true 1.5. Then they tried 1.6 rockers and lost
power. That's a totally different scenario than switching a factory 1.6
rocker to a 1.5.
Then, the other thing you may not realize is to change rocker ratios on your
engine would require a conversion kit to utilize adjustable rockers. Add up
the price of the kit plus the rockers and you may find you'll have to drive
a whole lot of miles to ever recover the expense....assuming you actually
achieved an improvement in mileage.
IMHO, you will benefit most (and immediately) from modifications that don't
cost you anything. A good place to start is with a Google search on
something like "fuel mileage tips" which will cover most of the basic, well
known methods....just to refresh one's memory.
One such site is.. http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/drive.shtml
I will offer you a few suggestions you may not have thought of. Since you
have a '92 (as do I) you should use the factory air cleaner and air duct to
the radiator support. Use any brand name filter but keep it clean. Leave
the IAT sensor in the intake (reads hotter temps and leans the air/fuel
mixture) and either a stock 195 thermostat or a Premium version of a 180 TS
(I use a digital water temp gauge and the premium 180 versions have always
run around 186 degrees. I use a standard 180 TS and it never goes above
183). When you are due for a tune up consider using Autolite 3924 spark
plugs (stock heat range but last longer than Champions). Use the stock gap
for your slower driving. When it's time to change fluids, use the factory
recommended viscosities but switch to synthetic in your engine and rear end.
You can safely run the engine a half quart low (keeps the oil away from the
crank for less drag). Don't overfill anything.
If you need to replace your exhaust system, make sure the cat is good and
you might consider a Gibson cat back system as they not only sound good
(yes, even on a V6) but make good torque as well as horsepower.
Use the lowest octane fuel you can without pinging. There's more power here
than most people believe. We race all our vehicles and have found through
testing that higher octane than is needed has always resulted in poorer
performance. Even with all my mods to my Dak I only use 92 octane. I've
tried 94 and ran slower. The other vehicles are stock daily drivers and
run best at the track on 87. If you do experience pinging on 87 or
89...then try relocating the IAT to the air cleaner snorkel and using a 180
TS. If it should still ping you would probably want to have the intake
plenum gasket changed.
I have several other tips regarding your brakes but in case I've already
lost your attention I'm not going to relate them here. Write me directly
if you really want to know.
Ray Block
1992 Dakota Sport, RC, 2WD, 5.2L
See Drag-Truk link for mods...
http://www.dragtruk.com/ENTRIES/20KM1FD2KWBP.html
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Wed Jun 01 2005 - 05:44:45 EDT