914 Fuel consumption (tried the search)

[ZoSo914]

Im looking for some info to plan a cross country trip. The vehicle is a stock 1973 porsche 914 1.8 with 35mm solex carbs. It has 165 SR15(michelin XZX's) Its not on the road yet(in the process of being painted) but I am planning a trip to the southwest and I want to know what kind of gas mileage I can expect. Ive looked around and I dont see specs for a car with a similar setup. any help is much appreciated
Derek

[Rouser914S]

19 City / 22 Hwy - your figures may vary depending on road conditions, gas prices, and how often you like to PUT YOUR FOOT INTO IT!

165/SR-15's are classified more as rim protectors than actual tires; how old are these things? Be careful to ensure that they actually hold air vs. cobwebs.

When you hit the road, make sure you have plenty of cell phone batteries, credit cards, and AAA Plus.

[Dave_Darling]

A 1.8 would not be stock in a 73, nor would carbs.

On long freeway trips, if the engine is tuned well, you can probably get 30 MPG or maybe more. But it depends on a whole lot of variables...

--DD

[914fan]

I also have a 73 with a 1.8. Mine averaged 22mpg over 60,ooo miles. I drive mostly freeway but not usually freeway speeds. I have a web 73 hydrolic cam and 40IDFs. Stock exhaust (not stainless) and a bursche header/ muffler. I have heard poeple getting in the 40s and 50s. It all ddepends on how you tune the car. Good luck

[ZoSo914]

Thanks for your replies. Your right Dave the car is a 74 The XZX's are in excellent shape (they were from on my 59 bug for a few months) thanks for the concern as well. I had to double check we had a way to charge cell phones on the way!! Maybe if i get some good snap shots of the car ill post them up.

[Piledriver]

I commute 400 miles a week, and have lately been averaging ~37 MPG, all highway, heavy traffic, and a lead foot.

I'm pulling the motor in the next couple of weeks as the P&L have been actually worn out for >5 years, and have had to recently back off total timing to 24BTDC due to oil blow by on #4 causing light throttle pinging.
(This hurt my mileage some...)

It used to consitently get >50 MPG on long trips, and ~45 commuting. Ran 44 IDFs back then...~30-40K ago)

Standard disclaimer... Motor is a factory block (untouched) 914 1700 with no cylinder base or head gaskets (tight deck) and has a lobotomized CIS-E setup and recurved stock distributor.
(L-jet manifolding/hardware)

I had the guides replaced once locally ~6 years ago (just got original Pile), have replaced the ex valves twice since on principle.

It's about to get the cars original 2.0 heads (properly done +a bit by Len) and become a 1.8 with pretty (almost new) KS jugs and slugs.


If you haven't had the heads done by a competant T4 head guy, you are gambling. Seriously.

(there are only 3 T4-aware head places that I know of in the US, only one I would let work on anything I love)

[ZoSo914]

she ended up getting 36 mpg on a 3400 mile round trip. For a car that was restored in 6 weeks (taking it from basically an $800 parts car to somthing that you could enter a show with). I would have to post pics for anyone to truly appreciate it. My Mom did most of the bodywork by her self, and my dad did everything mechanically. It wasnt perfect though, on the trip the regulator failed(lucky they packed a spare) and a directional light blew. You wouldnt believe the attention to detail they put into this car in the short time it took them to do it. The first time the tires(oe XZX's) hit the ground was when they were leaving for the trip. this trip was their test drive! it just makes you look at those people who have trailers for their car and kinda laugh....

[schosh]

Sounds like you have really special parents..Do you think they would want to adopt a 50 year old slacker with a broken 914?

You should post pics ....of the car

Bill

[geos]

Is it safe to assume the larger engine (2.0) gets worse gas mileage than the smaller engines (1.7, 1.8)? Is FI more efficient than carbs?

[Piledriver]

Is it safe to assume the larger engine (2.0) gets worse gas mileage than the smaller engines (1.7, 1.? Is FI more efficient than carbs?

Yes, generally, but it depends on many things.
Yes, generally, but it depends on... many things.