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thedarkwolf

Diamond Member
Oct 13, 1999
9,030
123
106
no
4.3l v6 4 speed auto = 15 city 21 highway
5.0l v8 4 speed auto = 14 city 19 highway

Unless you blow your engine up there isn't much point. Even the diesel version only pulls down 16/23. Its big ass box on wheels. Its not going to get great gas mileage.
 
Zenmervolt

Zenmervolt

Elite member
Oct 22, 2000
24,514
36
91
Originally posted by: thedarkwolf
no
4.3l v6 4 speed auto = 15 city 21 highway
5.0l v8 4 speed auto = 14 city 19 highway

Unless you blow your engine up there isn't much point. Even the diesel version only pulls down 16/23. Its big ass box on wheels. Its not going to get great gas mileage.
Click to expand...

This, in spades.

The issue with vans is not so much the engine size as their having the frontal area of a small blimp hangar.

ZV
 
StageLeft

StageLeft

No Lifer
Sep 29, 2000
70,150
5
0
No, don't bother. If you're looking to save money this seems a hassle and certainly the cash for clunkers won't save you a nickel unless you are driving a TON, because you'd go from an owned car to either payments or a big savings dump (car has to be new).
 
PlasmaBomb

PlasmaBomb

Lifer
Nov 19, 2004
11,636
2
81
Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
This, in spades.

The issue with vans is not so much the engine size as their having the frontal area of a small blimp hangar.

ZV
Click to expand...

QFT :laugh:
 
MiataNC

MiataNC

Platinum Member
Dec 5, 2007
2,215
1
81
Keep the V8.

For what you would spend swapping to a V6, you could buy a cheap car ($2-3K) that gets better mileage and still have your Chevy to haul stuff with.
 
Demon-Xanth

Demon-Xanth

Lifer
Feb 15, 2000
20,551
2
81
The best thing you could do would be to replace it with a slightly updated V8, such as from a '96. Small engines in large cars just aren't happy.
 
C

cheesehead

Lifer
Aug 11, 2000
10,079
0
0
The problem with the G20 is that it's heavy and unaerodynamic. Engines won't make a big difference, really. There are many GM V6 engines that might work, most of which are based on the same platform and range from about 120HP to more than double that (though only with forced induction.)

A newer V8 might not be a bad idea, though - you won't gain much fuel economy, but if you know how to do an engine swap you may as well.

Alternately, hock van and use money earned + money earmarked for engine swap to buy an old Subaru station wagon.
 
Demon-Xanth

Demon-Xanth

Lifer
Feb 15, 2000
20,551
2
81
Originally posted by: Cheesehead
The problem with the G20 is that it's heavy and unaerodynamic. Engines won't make a big difference, really. There are many GM V6 engines that might work, most of which are based on the same platform and range from about 120HP to more than double that (though only with forced induction.)

A newer V8 might not be a bad idea, though - you won't gain much fuel economy, but if you know how to do an engine swap you may as well.

Alternately, hock van and use money earned + money earmarked for engine swap to buy an old Subaru station wagon.
Click to expand...

I was thinking that swapping out the 1989 305 TBI with a 1996 Vortec 350 would be a bit of a gain. Going later than that might be a problem as the LS* based Vortec's are quite a bit different, but the earlier ones would be a straight forward swap. Engine management went a long way during that time.
 
Andrew1990

Andrew1990

Banned
Mar 8, 2008
2,153
0
0
Wow, I did not know the V6s were close to the gas consumption of a V8.


Maybe I can sell this beast and find something like a old Pinto or something. Thanks for the info guys.
 
C

cheesehead

Lifer
Aug 11, 2000
10,079
0
0
Originally posted by: Andrew1990
Maybe I can sell this beast and find something like a old Pinto or something. Thanks for the info guys.
Click to expand...

No.

No. No. No. No. No.

Do not buy a Pinto. A Pinto is a silly car.

You can get a pretty good Pontiac Firebird for nothing these days.. A fellow I know is selling a '95 complete with big V8 for about $2800, and he can't find anyone to buy it. Save yourself some trouble and pick a car with an astronomically popular engine (like the LTx V8) for which you can get replacement parts for almost nothing.

I'm not a mechanic, but I can tell you that if you want to do your own work, buying something based around a GM LTx V8 is probably the way to go. Spare parts are a dime a dozen.

Also, as I found out after making some pointed comments about the limitations of a solid rear axle, the Firebird goes around corners surprisingly well.
 
Andrew1990

Andrew1990

Banned
Mar 8, 2008
2,153
0
0
Originally posted by: AdamK47
Is this a joke thread?
Click to expand...

No, why would it be a joke thread? I am not too good with automobiles as some of you can tell and am really asking for assistance.

From the info I received from the members here, my van will be a gas hog no matter what engine I throw in it. I threw getting a Pinto out there because they look pretty cool and are 4 cylinder for the most part.


May I ask what is bad about a Pinto? Are there any common issues with them besides the fact they might blow up if you get rear ended unless you use a rubber grommet of some sort?
 
C

cheesehead

Lifer
Aug 11, 2000
10,079
0
0
Originally posted by: Andrew1990
May I ask what is bad about a Pinto? Are there any common issues with them besides the fact they might blow up if you get rear ended unless you use a rubber grommet of some sort?
Click to expand...

1. Safety. Even ignoring the fuel tank issue, a car from the 90s is a lot safer than one from the 70s, and a car from the 2000s is a lot safer than one from the 90s. Automotive technology came a long way.

2. Economy. Carburetors are bad with fuel economy, period, and fuel economy is measured more harshly than it once was.

3. Age. A Pinto is extremely old, and will require a rebuild right out the door. Every part in a car is only designed to last 15 years at the most, and you're way, way past 15 years.

3.Price. A Pinto is a collectors' car. While this means it's not terribly difficult to get parts, it does drive the price up quite a bit.

4. Performance. Even compared to a Focus, a Pinto is @#$@#$ SLOW.

Speaking of which, if you like Fords, get a Focus. The later models with the Duratec engines (especially the 3-door with the 2.3) aren't bad to drive and don't cost very much. If you're not especially attached to the blue oval, consider a Mazda of some sort instead.

If you find 22/27mpg fuel economy acceptable, also consider a Subaru - such as the Outback station wagon. Fuel economy is not awe-inspiring, but heavy depreciation means cheap prices.

Or you could just buy my friend's Firebird.
 
AdamK47

AdamK47

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
15,669
3,528
136
A Pinto is an odd choice considering the bazillion other options out there.
 
nakedfrog

nakedfrog

No Lifer
Apr 3, 2001
61,681
17,343
136
Originally posted by: Cheesehead
2. Economy. Carburetors are bad with fuel economy, period, and fuel economy is measured more harshly than it once was.
Click to expand...

The old Civic CRX HF got epic mileage with a carburetor :p
 
C

CurseTheSky

Diamond Member
Oct 21, 2006
5,401
2
0
If you're looking for something more fuel efficient, grab a smaller, lighter, 4 cylinder car like a Focus, Civic, Corolla, Sentra, etc. Look at the local listings (such as on Craigslist) and check out some of the cars you find. Grab the one with the lowest mileage and the fewest iffy parts you can find. Stay away from anything that's been modded (exhaust, CAI, etc.), has mis-matched panels, or comes with a bunch of decals all over it.

If the fuel economy of the van isn't really killing you, I'd just keep it for now. Save up some money and grab a newer, safer, nicer car. If you're looking for something more fuel efficient in the future, stay away from vans, trucks, SUVs, jeeps, etc.

If you're looking for something relatively cheap to have fun in, a mid to late 90s Mustang, Camaro, or Firebird isn't a bad way to go. Make sure to get a V8 manual, and definitely get an insurance quote first.
 
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