I am thinking about buying a Skylark that has had a GS455 motor with a mild cam dropped in it. I have never owned a big-block car so I dont have any comparison. I have always considered my classic cars daily drivers. I know the GS455's fearsome reputation for perfomance, so I'm wondering, does it make any sense to use this car as a daily driver? Or will I burn the tires and $20 of gas just backing out of the garage? The car has a lot of luxury goodies which I intend to use, I'm definitely more of a cruiser than a racer. Can any folks who have owned big and/or small block cars give me their impressions? Thank you.
Welcome to the boards. The car in question sounds like a good daily driver. Although given the current price of fuel a Geo looks better for every day. You'll love the BB torque. :TU:
Thanks for the welcome and viewpoint. Speaking of gas, what should I expect (Ballpark) for MPG on such a set up? [I know, I asked for it, please keep chuckles to a minimum]
Expect approx. 10 mpg overall with a little better on the road and worse in town. The rear gear will affect this as would say the installation of an overdrive transmission, and tuning. However, it will pass everything but a gas station. " Filler up with High Test please."
I think 10 MPG is a little low unless you are running a radial setup. 14 to 16 is more likely but ONLY if you are running a q-jet carb. I am getting better than 10 with a 3:73 gear and 113 cam (not much better . )
I got 16 mpg driving to BG one year in my 71 GS (11.60) with 2.56 rear that I swapped to the 3.90 when I got there. (didn't bother to swap it back for the ride home)Was only worth 2 mpg since my 3500 converter was slipping with the 2.56 unless I was going 80+mph! Duh..... Put a 2600 conv in and get 18 in hwy cruising 70 mph. I get better mpg with a ThermoQuad than the ole Qjet. Just my .02 Bruce
My Riv will get an average of 15mpg. 19 highway 12.5 in all city driving. Here's the way I've always looked at it. These cars get about the same mileage as a full size truck. Can you live with that?
justification My Centurion gets 15 on the highway and less around town depending on how much fun I'm having. Here's my justification: I purchased the car for $1,800 when compared to a new convertible of "reasonable" size they run $30,000 and higher. That leaves me $28,200 to buy gas:grin: :Brow:
Yup, I'm lucky if I can find the time to drive my guzzler(s).....spend maybe $100 a year so it's not a big issue. Spend more on registration fees.....scumbags are increasing it like 40% next year!
My big block 455 gets better mileage than the small block skylark .... as long as the gas pedal isnt exercised. Around town - stop and go - with a big block you'll prolly never see more than 13-15...... .....But when you drive a Big Block Buick you use a new measuring standard - its Smiles per gallon, not Miles per gallon BTW - I used my GS all last weekend as...well....a car !! Went to home depot.....brought home plants from a gardening center....visited my parents....blew away 2 mustangs and a monte carlo.....
Let's see, Ive been driving my 455 skylark everyday since the early '90s. Motor has a lunati sp2 cam which is noticable at idle and crane high intensity lifters. Out back is 2:73 gears. Car ran 13.5 at track smoking a good deal of 1st gear. I take regular trips to Rhode Island (210 miles door to door) and I burn 12.5 to 13.5 gallons on these trips. Also I'm running a holley 3310 carburator in which I disconnect the secondaries while driving around town and connect them for cruise night. Yeah I notice a decrease in milage around town but its not much worse in my opinion then some of the newer suv type of trucks. So I say go for it, it's not as bad as you may think. Ohh yeah there is a converter too, revs nice and gets car moving well. Allen
Let's see, Ive been driving my 455 skylark everyday since the early '90s. Motor has a lunati sp2 cam which is noticable at idle and crane high intensity lifters. Out back is 2:73 gears. Car ran 13.5 at track smoking a good deal of 1st gear. I take regular trips to Rhode Island (210 miles door to door) and I burn 12.5 to 13.5 gallons on these trips. Also I'm running a holley 3310 carburator in which I disconnect the secondaries while driving around town and connect them for cruise night. Yeah I notice a decrease in milage around town but its not much worse in my opinion then some of the newer suv type of trucks. So I say go for it, it's not as bad as you may think. Ohh yeah there is a converter too, revs nice and gets car moving well. Allen
All right! Good to hear some real world experience. I made an offer to the guy, and now he has to go over it with the Missus. We've got our fingers crossed, but- My gal cant wait, she's got a lead foot!
One more thought, like someone hinted at earlier, if you compare what a newer car costs or an SUV, your $200 a month gasoline bill is still way cheaper than the car payment !!!!! Plus, you get to show it off to all of those that don't know enough about old-time iron, and its just cool. And even if you throw $200 a month into in repairs/restoration, its STILL cheaper than the insurance/ gas/car payment of something new that has some size to it. Kellly
Amen! I agree with you completely. I am a firm believer in buying and driving classic cars, for the reasons Kelly pointed out. I've always managed to pay cash and have never had a car payment. My current ride is a '72 Pontiac Luxury LeMans, but I'm looking for a second car that "Goes Fast With Class", as I've been a longtime B-O-P fan. Just have always had no more than 350 cubes (Okay there's a 351 in the closet), and was wondering what to expect running with "the big dogs".
Exactly Kelly.... One year of depreciation on a new vehicle, not to mention the payment buys ALOT of gas. I had a 79 Pontiac Lemans wagon that I bought for $1900 in 1985, drove it for 10 years and 140K miles (220K total on the car, valve covers never off, orig trans, reliable like a taxi) Tried to explain to people buyng their Corrollas and Civics that it was just as much (or more) of an ECONOMY car....based on total cost....despite the fact that it got half the MPG. Bruce
Gas mileage be damned! If you've never owned a big-block car, I think you will find it a rewarding experience. It's a real treat! There's nothing like the feeling of effortless accelleration that a lot of cubic inches can provide for you. I've driven fast small blocks and high winding turbos, and even owned a Grand National, but there's nothing like the feeling of big-block torque. If it bites you like it bit me, you'll start dreaming up plans to put 455's in every car you own. - Freed
when my 70 gs 455 was stock except with a 2:70 posi, i drove it 2 times 4800 miles round trip to the GSCA NATIONALS in Bowling Green Kentucky, i got between 17-18 mpg
Bruce- You're right on with economy in relation to the total cost of the car. I've heard that in California, dealers are getting $40-$50k for hybrid cars, AND you'll be on a waiting list! So even a small SUV becomes cheap in comparison, let alone an older car! I can't confirm those numbers but perhaps someone on the board can.
