quote:
> I'd normally associate that power range for street engines with 20-40% more
> displacement, but couldn't come even close to delivering on the mileage if
> 20 mpg is the target.
Mike Drew reports he gets 18 MPG for the 526 HP 408C I put together for his
Pantera, better than the engine it replaced that made half the power. I could
probably get that to 19 MPG by leaning his cruise mixture but to get any better
(with that 500+ HP engine), it would really need taller gearing. The stock
overall gear ratio of Pantera is just too short, compared to say a 5.0L Mustang
with a T-5 OD ratio of 0.68 and a 2.73:1 or 3.08:1 final drive ratio, to get
really good gas mileage.
Dan Jones
18 MPG from a Carbureted 408? I suppose we need to qualify this discussion with how his car is geared and what cruise speed we're talking but for the stock -2 Pantera ZF configuration he would be turning at least 2500 rpm and that's with the OE wheel diameter. Many are running smaller diameters. If he's getting 18 MPG from his 408 at that speed, I'm surprised. I'd be even more surprised to achieve that mileage with a 5 liter engine cammed for 500 HP and geared to use it.
Best,
K