As the title says, those of you with longer gears and have done any long distance driving, what kind of mileage are you getting at above 70mph? 75? Anybody run for any length of time at 80 and noted gas consumption? What's the gear combo and tire size?
Replies sorted oldest to newest
My first Spyder with 1915cc engine, Street-Pro freeway flyer using stock VW gear set and a 3.88 R&P got between 27 to 32 mpg depending on if I was in Florida or the Blue Ridge Mountains.... (Using the Interstates)
Do you remember at what speeds, Leon?
2,110 with 40mm Dells, stock VW gearing and a 3:88 final.
Jetting tends to run around 13 to 1 on the mains.
72-75 = 26-27 mpg
80 = 25 mpg.
All interstates, typical New England terrain (500 ft vertical climb every 30 mins)
I know most aren't interested in my watercooled 2.0 vw/audi. And I don't use interstates. Have a 3.88 with standard gearing. At 60-65 mph, spirited driving I got 37mpg. I'm a slow poke.
1915cc w/ dual Solex carbs (That's all I know about them)
Stock VW Gearing (Or whatever Kirk uses)
3.88 final
185/65/R15 with 23 psi in the front and 26 in the rear and the tires are nothing special in terms of the brand
77mph (Speedometer read 80)
31 mpg
On that note I used one of those speedometer apps on my phone and found that my speedometer is off by 3mph. The speedometer reads 80 and I'm really doing 77mph.
I usually ran aroun 70 to 80mph...
I'm running the same as Robert M with only difference in tire size (185x60/R15). On hwy typically run @ 75mph. Getting 28-30mpg.
Coming home from the wine country the other day, I hopped on a level stretch of freeway and held a pretty steady 70 mph (3250 rpm, speed via GPS) for 40 miles.
27 mpg
2024cc (90.5 x 78.8)
Engle 120
Weber IDF 40's, 32mm venturis, 55mm idles, 135mm mains (I think)
175/65 15, 28 psi rear, 22 front
3.88 r&p, .89 fourth.
Two up, about 50 lbs. of gear.
This was unusually good mileage for me. Normal in mixed driving is between 20 - 25, depending on how much stop-and-go and right foot is applied.
In theory, this set-up should be getting slightly better mileage, and it does run a little rich, but it's also very smooth and cool-running, so I'm leaving it where it is.
I have set the idle up a little high - about 1000 rpm when warm - because this is the lowest I can set it and still have it idle reliably from a cold start in colder weather.
Too many details for most, but not for Al, I'm guessing.
Sounds good, guys. Glad to hear most of you are getting great mileage figures. And you're right, Mitch, not too many details for me
. Do you know the compression of the engine? What does it have for an exhaust? You're also right- running rich is costing you fuel. There's only 1 way to find out if it will stand being run leaner, and that's to try it. You could always put it back if you don't think it likes the new jetting. Al
Al, mileage similar to Gordon. 3.44 final and stock gears. I have run 80 for a long time, 70-75 with some traffic and obtained 32 mpg.
My latest trip to Bruce Stumpp's house had some 100-110 running, but mostly 80, and I returned 26.5 or so.
The trouble with running 80 in New England is that someone ALWAYS gets in your way!
