Thread: VE Roadtrip Results!

Just finished up my drive from Charlotte NC to Freeport ME (997miles, 17hrs).

The car overall ran superb, with no hiccups at all, but for the driverside splash guard rubbing against the axle.

I was especially pleased with the mileage the motor got. The trip starting in Charlotte (800ft above sea level), was yielding 13.8-14.3 afr at 75mph with a conservative 500lbs over normal loaded weight.

As I got lower, and the air cooled, I was seeing a good 14.7-15 afr under the same crusing conditions.

My first tank and a half gave me about 33mpg, while my third and fourth I was grabbing 37mpg, that was with a good 20min of stop and go too.

That said, I was also shocked to find my oil was below the low line when I got home.

It has never noticeably burned oil, and there is not a leak on the motor. Very disappointing. I was worried sh*tless when I pulled out the dipstick, I checked it 5 times because I couldn't believe it. So a motor that according to friends doesn't smoke much at all, managed to eat up 2 quarts of oil in 1000miles at 3.5k rpms. I am guessing it is the rings, perhaps a leak down test is called for. I just hope I didn't get to the point where I was sucking air bubbles into the pump. After topping the motor off its running very strong with no noticeable noise (knock on wood).

I am curious to know how much of a difference the extra 500lbs makes in mpg?

Anyways, that's it.

Dudeman

check you pcv.

I've gone through oil on a VE at the track, but never on long trips. 37mpg is awesome though. Right up with what mine used to do. Its almost worth putting a G20 fifth gear to make 5th taller.

If you weren't beating on it don't worry imo. If you were beating on it... also don't worry its over.


500lb is only like .75-1.0 mpg its not a lot once you are cruising. Most of the gas is wasted stopping and starting the 500lb moving which you didn't do a lot of.

what grade oil do u use....

Ha well very good to know. It's weird I have never burned through oil like that in the motor, generally the oil does not dissipate much at all. I only did about 4 3rd gear pulls but that was more towards the beginning and spaced out. About every time i got gas i would give it a little. I wish I had checked the damn oil! Good to know about the weight, that's kind of what I would figure.



I just replaced the valve, however I will take a look at the tubes, I have noticed some residue in there before. The valvecovor to intake tube hose never had the slightest bit in it though.




Mobil 1 25W-30

^^ huh!?!

my VE uses oil also. i've learned to check it religiously, before each time i take her out for a mild thrashing. when i get home after a day long romp, there'll be black specs on the bumper above the exhaust pipe
oil consumption in these VE motors seems a lot more common than the tight as hell de.

im wondering when you check the oil... was the engine hot.. or had it been sitting over night? i've noticed on any engine when you been driving alot checkin the oil while engine is hot isnt accurate.. however after a night of sitting is when i find it best to check.. i've seen folks over fill they're engines because they check them after they been drivin all day when they stop for gas.. usualy its only a half quart to quart difference.. but still its best to check when all the oil has had time to make it back to the pan

cant be worse then a STI .... one of my good friends has one and eat about 3 quarts between oil changes ... kinda wierd when u drain it and only a quart or 2 comes out lol ... just drive it like u stole it and check the oil when ur done ... no reason to start changing rings and getting into the engine

road trip r always fun with a VE .... gotta love that 3rd gear lol