Post Mortem of Huntington Beach: great mileage going down to HB

[289FIA_Cobra]

I had a chance to finally review my gas receipts for the HB weekend.

First, the not surprising news: mileage was 17-18mpg going back home. Very similar to last years mileage but that was both ways. I stopped more often and had some of the worst headwinds going home once I hit Hwy. 101 (I took Hwy1 and Hwy 101 all the way back). Stopped off in Santa Barbara for gas but got off the freeway too early; ended up in Goleta. Stopped again at the Madonna Inn for some pictures and then had lunch in San Luis Obispo. Stopped again for gas in Morgan Hill before getting home.

Now for, at least my experience, some good news. On the way to HB, my first gas stop netted me 20.5mpg. I had to do a double take. I've NEVER been in the 20's for the 4 years I've had this car. In Santa Barbara, I measured over 21mpg!

Part of the reason is I'm not using Interstate 5, where you are constantly trying to keep up and pass 18 wheelers that are already going 75mph! On 101, we kept an overall 70mph. Still, having upgraded to a new CompCam with .560 lift (up from .555) and Vic. Jr. Heads (was using Performer RPM's before), I wasn't sure what my mileage would end up being. I guess at 2,000RPM @ 70mph, there's good enough atomization going on to make this run pretty efficiently for what it is, and still have over 400hp on tap. I was very happy with the new setup.

[riptide motorsport]

I could live with that.

[Mesa Mike]

I hate I-5 too. When going from PHX to SFO I usually take CA-99. More to see and 3 lanes.

[David]

Nice man, thats what is so great about small blocks! Really looking forward to seeing what the MPG with the Coyote will be.

David

[vnmsss]

Great news on the mileage (I'm not a fan of I-5 either, and regularly take the 99 just for interest sake.....I drive my Challenge car on the road all the time, and get an average of 23.2 mpg on road trips.....I attribute a good deal of that to the 273 gears which were the spec until this year. I may not "win" the stop light to stop light battles, but at 70 mph and pulling around 1,000 rpm in 5th gear, I can pass a whole lot of gas stations on the long trips.

Glad you're driving and enjoying your beautiful car!!!

Karen