Gas increasing items

[joey85]

Hi my name's Joe, and I've only been on these forums for a few days, and already I noticed that you people are VERY helpfull. So I figured I'd pick your brain on a few things. I have a 1986 Chevy w/ a 1984 357 (carborated) and I'm trying to get the best fuel economy as possible now that I've put much larger then normal tires on my truck. I've seen many things saying about throttle-body spacers, that they have a 10% increase in fuel economy and 30%air flow increase. I'm wondering if anyone has had any experience with this, they're only around $90 or so, so if I can gain an extra mpg I think it would be worth it. Also if you have any other suggestions for saving fuel, they'd be highly appreciated, I'm hoping to get some actual responses that will actually be resonable to do. The only reason I say that, is because just about every bozo I've talked to tells me to go out and buy a $3000 supercharger, and if you ask me, I don't think it's worth throwing $3000 into your truck for the thought of saving fuel. By the time you'd have saved that much money in fuel prices, I just don't think it would be worth it. Thanks in advance.
Joey

[19_Chevelle_69]

Welcome aboard!

Other than maintaining your engine with a complete tune up, there is not a lot you can do to increase fuel mileage inexpensively. You can go to an overdrive tranny, or even a fuel injection system for increased fuel mileage, but both of these are expensive. Carb/throttle body spacers are over rated. They do work to a point, but are not the miracle device that the manufactuers claim. It would take a LONG time to save your $90 back with the limited fuel savings that it would provide.

[Bent]

I have one on my truck with a 650 double pumper. I'm not sure what carb you are running, but with my carb i don't think i would notice anything from something like that. The only things I have actually seen proven on the dyno at the shop I worked at was

1- High flow air cleaner (k&n is what I used)
2-Aftermarket intake ( I run a Stealth)
3-Free flowing exhaust(Flowmasters are nice but I think there are many companies that will do)
4-Better spark (ignition boxes and spark plugs and or wires)
5-A good set of headers

All of these added only 5 MPG and alot more hp (trust me it took alot of tweaking with jets and timing to get it perfect and would have been impossible without the dyno.)

And even with my discount I spent over 1500 bucks and I still don't think I've paid for it in fuel savings.

Anyway i should probably get back to your question...LOL
I didn't notice anything from the spacer but I still run it so it's up to you. ( By the way I got my spacer for 3 bucks it was on an old intake in the back, it might be worth looking into if you really want one.