Hi Greg, now we're getting to something specific enough to work with. > Just to start debate on something I think about everyday, when I get into my > LandCruiser. > > I wonder how much extra fuel is being used, because of the small engine > size, climbing all the hills around here. > > Still, I'm not knocking the 20 mpg I'm getting now, I just keep thinking it > could get better with a bigger / more powerful engine.
You also posted: > I'm talking about a '85 Toyota LandCruiser BJ60 with a 3B engine. > > IIRC, the engine is runs around 2700-2800 rpm at 75 mph. > > At sea level the 3B is about 95 Hp, but, starts to have breathing > problems at 3,000 ft, and I'm at 5500 ft and make trips to 10,000 - > 12,000 ft. once a month or so. U.S. government figures (EPA at http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/findacar.htm) show the city/hwy/combined figure for this vehicle as 11/13/12 mpg, and "average" user experience at 14.6 (one respondent). If you are getting 20 mpg, I'd say you are doing very well - fully 67% better than EPA rating. Especially good for a vehicle with a curb weight of 4200 pounds, and the aerodynamics of a parachute when you are travelling at speeds up to 75 mph. It would be one of my last choices for fuel economy for highway travel, but I'm sure it fits your needs. It appears the 4-cylinder engine was the only one available - there was nothing larger available from the manufacturer. I don't see that an automatic was available either. So picking another engine or transmission or both will be an adventure with little to go on for guidance. Are you certain that swapping engines will cost less than acquiring another (used) vehicle? I have been involved in a couple of engine swaps. Quality used engines don't come free around here. I was quoted over $3500 for a warranteed rebuilt engine a few years ago. That didn't include any labour or delivery. I bought a used truck here for $4500 two months ago, certified roadworthy. It's a pile of work to swap engines, requiring an engine hoist or equivalent for a couple of days. Do you have alternative wheels during the course of the transplant? You are not talking about a bolt-in, known compatible swap either. That is likely to present some additional research and issues. Is it worth making this investment in a 20-year-old chassis - to you? Finally, it is conventional wisdom that the bigger the engine, the lower the fuel economy. We went through this when looking at my wife's last vehicle purchase (2002 Saturn Vue). 4 cylinder 2.2 litre gets 21 mpg city, 6 cylinder 3.0 litre gets 19 mpg city. About 10% difference. Hwy numbers show a similar spread. We have the 4 cylinder, FWD. We find the performance more than adequate. Darryl McMahon > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Darryl McMahon" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: <Biofuel@sustainablelists.org> > Sent: Thursday, September 15, 2005 20:20 > Subject: Re: [Biofuel] Debatable statement? > > > > > > This is not what I understood as your intent from your original post, > which seemed > > to me could be seeking a justification for using overpowered vehicles, and > too > > generic to provide a substantive response that could reliably guide > decisions on > > engine selection. -- Darryl McMahon http://www.econogics.com/ It's your planet. If you won't look after it, who will? -- Darryl McMahon http://www.econogics.com/ It's your planet. If you won't look after it, who will? _______________________________________________ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/
