older gen (1991-older) sportsmobile type vans...who's gotem?

[jedsled]

Rockbender, what mpgs were you getting and what gearing are you running in your axles? Your van is a diesel with a turbo, correct?

[rockbender]

Yes, 6.9 with a Banks Turbo. I've got a C6 with a Gear Vendor overdrive and 4.10 axles. It still runs too tall of RPM in my opinion, even with 33/34" tires. I'd love to have an E4OD (or the ZF5) with the GV for a double OD and keep the 4.10 gears, or go to 3.55's. Funny thing is that the previous owner re-geared to 4.10 only a few thousand miles before I bought it - he used it to tow a travel trailer and wanted the extra gears.

Right now I'm pretty much seeing a lifetime average of about 12 mpg, with highway driving about 13 or so. I was honestly expecting more even from the C6/GV/4.10 combo. I've heard of guys with IDI's with a C6/4.10 (and no OD!) getting 15+. I'm still tinkering with IP timing, and my new IP is barely broken in so I'm hoping to squeeze a bit more economy out of it as I get everything dialed in.

[jedsled]

Originally Posted by rockbender

Yes, 6.9 with a Banks Turbo. I've got a C6 with a Gear Vendor overdrive and 4.10 axles. It still runs too tall of RPM in my opinion, even with 33/34" tires. I'd love to have an E4OD (or the ZF5) with the GV for a double OD and keep the 4.10 gears, or go to 3.55's. Funny thing is that the previous owner re-geared to 4.10 only a few thousand miles before I bought it - he used it to tow a travel trailer and wanted the extra gears.

Right now I'm pretty much seeing a lifetime average of about 12 mpg, with highway driving about 13 or so. I was honestly expecting more even from the C6/GV/4.10 combo. I've heard of guys with IDI's with a C6/4.10 (and no OD!) getting 15+. I'm still tinkering with IP timing, and my new IP is barely broken in so I'm hoping to squeeze a bit more economy out of it as I get everything dialed in.

I'm hopin my combo of the 37's, 4.10 gearing, zf5 speed, and diesel with turbo will give me a 15mpg ave... keepin my fingers crossed. My 06 cummins finally broke in at 60k and I'm gettin 23mpg hiway with it...

[muelltime]

Got a '89 - Not a 4X4 though...

[daveb]

That's a really clean looking rig...looks brand new.

[muelltime]

Thanks! It was pretty rough when first picked up. Took about a year to restore.

[Vegasrandall]

KISS has always been my byword. after many years working as a aerospace tech I'm tired of complicated crap and computers. I bought a 77 chevy short wheelbase sportsvan 2 WD for $600. I changed out the 3 speed manual
for a 700R4. took out the trashed engine and put in a 350 with headers, street cam and flowmaster exhausts.a home built poptop is in the plans.
It's been a work in progress for the last year and a half and it's almost at the drivable stage.

[E350MAN]

I've got a 1990 E350 7.3 IdI E4OD 4;10 gears...was 3:55...which were too tall with 33" tires...like the 4:10's better....GV would be great for gear splitting between 1-2-3.....with 3:55 if I was careful 55-60 got a best of 22-23 once (tailwind in ND) overall I got about 15 or so city..18 or so Highway....driving in the Sierras...

I too am going thru the van completely...changed from slider to barn doors.....had side window from donor van put in left side...

I want to put a manual in it and was thinking of putting in a ZF 5 speed...been procrastinating on that one cuz I really want to put in a 12 valve cummins and ZF 6 speed....( I have the clutch pedals out of a 6 cylinder E250) you can find em!

Still have to finish interior...project going long cuz I travel a lot!

I do have a Dana 44 HD with 3:55 4 link Quigley setup in my garage...waiting for a new home...YES I did put a Dana 60 with ARB's in it ...and the 44 is viewed as a little light but it never gave me any problems and worked just fine....

will post pics soon!

[jedsled]

E350man... I also scored van clutch pedals, although they aren't for a hydraulic set up... I've been thinking of doing custom hydraulic clutch pedal set up used for hot rods to simplify my set up...

[wdstang]

Hello all. I have a 1971 VW sportsmobile.