For all those running a stock GL Wagon with a dual range 5speed, what kind of RPMs do you turn at 65-ish, and how's the fuel economy?

88 GL Wagon w/ 5spd D/R and SPFI

 

65 is around 3000RPM.

 

It gets around 30mpg highway, 25 mpg city

can't remember what 65 was but i know 57 (checked with a gps) was 2750. And now that i changed my o2 sensor im getting in the 25+ range of both freeway and city.

For all those running a stock GL Wagon with a dual range 5speed, what kind of RPMs do you turn at 65-ish, and how's the fuel economy?

 

About 2750 RPM I would say (rough guess). And the mileage is going to depend on the fuel system, but my Weber'd 86 sedan gets 28 to 29. My SPFI Brat (5 speed D/R) is over 30, but I haven't run enough tanks through it to really get a good average yet.

 

GD

can't remember what 65 was but i know 57 (checked with a gps) was 2750.

 

Heh - I guess I wasn't too far off

 

GD

Ok, so 5th really is an overdrive then. My Hatch with a d/r 4speed turns 3500 at 60, ~3800 at 65, and only get 27-28mpg.

Maybe the mileage will go up a little once I have the 5speed under it.

My 1987 d/r is very tall on the low 185/70/13 tires. Just when I though the old pushbutton 4wd wagon I had was the tallest geared 4 banger on the planet... along comes the one I just purchased. I even thought there was something wrong with the engine due to the need to keep it in 4th above 55mph many times more than not. At 65mph I am at 2900 on the said tires, will be taller to 185/80 or AA wheels @15 inch (if all goes as planned). Strangely the 15 inch around 25inch diamater with tires will gain the 3mph my speedo is slow with. The fuel mileage is not very good as of yet. it seems the carb has a mood swing (float sticky I am certain) but it has gone freak into the 30's often enough to keep me from taking it apart in this cold weather. 20 year old soob and untouched in places I am used to cleaning/tinkering or repairing, the mid 20's average is all I can't complain about.

Ok, so 5th really is an overdrive then. My Hatch with a d/r 4speed turns 3500 at 60, ~3800 at 65, and only get 27-28mpg.

Maybe the mileage will go up a little once I have the 5speed under it.

 

Actually, 4th AND 5th are overdrive on the 5 speeds, and 4th IS overdrive on your current 4 speed.

 

You have the pre-83 4 speed, with shorter 3rd and 4th gears. They changed this in 83 due to mileage concerns at high speeds (which didn't really materialize). I have been using an 82 4 speed in my lifted wagon as the shorter gears help a lot with 28" tires on the freeway. 5 speed's are just as good though since 3rd and 4th are very similar to 3 and 4 on the 81/82 D/R - you'll just gain an extra overdrive gear in your case.

 

But none of it really makes much difference - if you are planning to lift it then regardless of what you use your mileage with be about 20 with 27/28" tires, and possibly less. Makes no difference what transmission you have, it's all about the tire sizes and rolling resistance at that point.

 

GD

Yeah, that's what I figured. For the winter, though, it's only getting 2", and 215/70/14s in more of a street tread.

Next summer, it's getting 5", maybe a little more, and 28's or 30's if I go with more lift.

At that time, mileage won't be a concern, it'll just be a toy. Of course, that does mean I will have to get another Subaru to be the higher mileage street runner.