Striker Road Trip

[oldcolt]

I just got back from my trip to the west coast. I have some highlights;

The truck ran awesome, no issues. When we built this engine I wanted to have a vehicle I could drive for long periods of time and not be worried about it. I did a pen and paper fuel mileage.......I got 23.5mpg on the highway (behaving 10-15 over speed limit). I wanted to check if my overhead is accurate and it is. I did 25.1mpg for miles at 65mph. The truck has the stock thermostat and ran cool the whole trip. I was in areas just over 100F and the engine was still cool.

Now the fun......I raced anyone who wanted and beat them all. I was accused of having turbos (he could hear them ), of being supercharged and secret NOS. I pulled over for the one guy and he checked things over. He was still pissed. I beat a new vette, a built 06ish charger R/T(heads, cam), ricer mobiles and several built diesel trucks.

Seat of the pants, the truck felt like it picked up 60-80 horse at sea level. It was no more lumpy at idle. I was able to find 94 octane during my whole trip, so I did not have to change tunes.

We had a lot of fun and put on over 3000km. I should mention the longest time in the truck was yesterday, we did 17 hours total including the ferry ride from Vancouver Island to the mainland.

 

[caveman]

I got 23.5mpg on the highway (behaving 10-15 over speed limit). I wanted to check if my overhead is accurate and it is.

It was no more lumpy at idle.

Thanks for the review, Oldcolt! That's impressive milage!

Do you mean it didn't idle more at sea level, or do you mean it isn't ever lumpy?

 

[oldcolt]

Thanks for the review, Oldcolt! That's impressive milage!

Do you mean it didn't idle more at sea level, or do you mean it isn't ever lumpy?

It didn't sound more cammed out at idle....if you know what I mean. I am at 3500ft normally, so at sea level I wasn't sure if it would sound more lumpy.

 

[caveman]

It didn't sound more cammed out at idle....if you know what I mean. I am at 3500ft normally, so at sea level I wasn't sure if it would sound more lumpy.

Ah, that makes sense. Maybe your next road trip should be to Colorado, so I can go for a ride.

 

[oldcolt]

The key seems to be a soft launch. They have no idea what's coming!

 

[Stone MD]

That trip is one of the nicest in the country, windy roads, and two lane traffic that you have to pass on. Fun all the way around.

 

[ARRESTmeRed04]

Awesome fuel mileage, where did you seem to beat the people you raced(form the start or on into 3rd gear and just walk by them)

 

[FATJACK]

Sounds Great OC. Glad you had a good trip.

 

[oldcolt]

Awesome fuel mileage, where did you seem to beat the people you raced(form the start or on into 3rd gear and just walk by them)

If it wasn't off the start (them spinning) it was up through 3rd gear. I had two lengths on the vette through 3rd and backed off. He changed lanes and gave me a "brake check". Mine work fine thanks!

I was shifting at 5200rpm to keep from running the charger over. We went three times on a two lane, he was getting more and more upset that he couldn't leave me. Once we were up on the freeway, he was toast. I tried to get him to play some more, but he wouldn't.

 

[oldcolt]

Sounds Great OC. Glad you had a good trip.

My son (14 now) said it best: "Dad, you are just toying with them". He was referring to the two built diesel trucks that were in full locomotive mode and kept being left in the dust at every passing lane.

 

[Yellow venom]

Sounds a great trip
Burt!:rock:

 

[rottenronnie]

I just got back from my trip to the west coast. I have some highlights;

The truck ran awesome, no issues. When we built this engine I wanted to have a vehicle I could drive for long periods of time and not be worried about it. I did a pen and paper fuel mileage.......I got 23.5mpg on the highway (behaving 10-15 over speed limit). I wanted to check if my overhead is accurate and it is. I did 25.1mpg for miles at 65mph. The truck has the stock thermostat and ran cool the whole trip. I was in areas just over 100F and the engine was still cool.

Now the fun......I raced anyone who wanted and beat them all. I was accused of having turbos (he could hear them ), of being supercharged and secret NOS. I pulled over for the one guy and he checked things over. He was still pissed. I beat a new vette, a built 06ish charger R/T(heads, cam), ricer mobiles and several built diesel trucks.

Seat of the pants, the truck felt like it picked up 60-80 horse at sea level. It was no more lumpy at idle. I was able to find 94 octane during my whole trip, so I did not have to change tunes.

We had a lot of fun and put on over 3000km. I should mention the longest time in the truck was yesterday, we did 17 hours total including the ferry ride from Vancouver Island to the mainland.

I'm glad you and Ty had so much fun ! Your mileage numbers are good and comes from a combination that produces decent cylinder pressure/efficiency (b.s.f.c.) even at moderately low engine r.p.m.
You are probably bang-on with your power gain estimate. Like we've talked about before, it is like bolting on a 3 p.s.i. supercharger when you drop that much altitude. So, doing the math, you gained 10% more power than you normally have around here.
And having that Striker-engine run at a lower temperature than they do with o.e.m. heads really helps out when it's 100F outside!
I know, I went through the "accusation phase" myself. It just doesn't sit well when there are NO power adders like nitrous, supercharger, turbo(s) or even a "cold" air kit when you lift the hood after trashing someone in a race.

Gotta love that torque!

 

[oldcolt]

I took a friend's 9 year old out for a ride in the truck. He now knows what smokey burnouts are.

His dad told me he asked him to "light them up" when they got in their car. Mom was like WTF??:burnout::burnout:

 

[BADBLACKSRT10]

That gas mileage is unheard of!!! My wifes' 2012 Acura doesnt get that!!!

 

[ViperPete]

How the heck did you achieve DOUBLE fuel economy that everyone else gets???? That's incredible!

 

[caveman]

How the heck did you achieve DOUBLE fuel economy that everyone else gets???? That's incredible!

I consistently average 15.5, on every tank. Highway driving I get around 18. Low 20's out of a more efficient engine seems very reasonable to me.

 

[rottenronnie]

Bigger gallon up here.

Multiply OldColt's Miles per Gallon by 0.83 to convert to U.S. M.P.G.

So 25.1 x 0.83= 20.83 which is still quite good with a fully-loaded box @ 65 m.p.h., a/c on, etc; i.m.h.o.

My Q.C. (and others) also see mileage gains with the Strikers and the smallish "Torque" cams. The ports and particularly the combustion chambers are considerably more efficient than the o.e.m. Gen III heads.

Old Colts truck gets about the same mileage as my 4x4 Ecoboost except his engine has around 300 horsepower more !

Ronnie

 

[RagunCajun]

in full locomotive mode

hahaha that's the best thing i've heard in a while. I cant wait to use that phrase myself!:rock:

 

[oldcolt]

hahaha that's the best thing i've heard in a while. I cant wait to use that phrase myself!:rock:

I guess all of that black smoke impresses someone!:dontknow:

 

[Slitherbeast]

Sounds like a real fun trip!! I went to spokane last october and had a blast!! Remember, kids learn more from what they see than what you tell them!! As difficult as it is , try to be a good example!! I went for a ride in that truck right after it was tuned and i am still impressed with that 3rd gear of yours! That beast pulls HARD!!!! and a sea level it must be amazing!!! I am starting to realize how far behind i am with mods!!