Power vs. Fuel Economy

[The Jester Race]

Ok heres the deal, my friend is giving me a 4.0 Liter, which I pick up tomorrow. I also have a chance at picking up a 302 for $250.

Im wondering which one I should build and put in my B2. Im looking for a good balance of power and fuel economy. I would love to be able to put a engine with more power in my B2 but retain the same or close to the same mpg(20mpg) that I get with the 2.9. Iv heard of people getting 20 mpg out of a 302, but if it means detuning it so much that its only putting out 150 HP, it kind of defeats the purpose of a V8, right? Am I just better off with throwing the 4.0 in, or is there a way to setup the 302 to achieve decent fuel mileage without robing it of its power? How about supin up the 4.0, but what will that do to its fuel economy?

Fuel economy is important to me because I am a broke ass college student and my B2 is my daily driver.

Help me out.

-Jester

 

[Original_Ranger84]

Ok heres the deal, my friend is giving me a 4.0 Liter, which I pick up tomorrow. I also have a chance at picking up a 302 for $250.

Im wondering which one I should build and put in my B2. Im looking for a good balance of power and fuel economy. I would love to be able to put a engine with more power in my B2 but retain the same or close to the same mpg(20mpg) that I get with the 2.9. Iv heard of people getting 20 mpg out of a 302, but if it means detuning it so much that its only putting out 150 HP, it kind of defeats the purpose of a V8, right? Am I just better off with throwing the 4.0 in, or is there a way to setup the 302 to achieve decent fuel mileage without robing it of its power? How about supin up the 4.0, but what will that do to its fuel economy?

Fuel economy is important to me because I am a broke ass college student and my B2 is my daily driver.

Help me out.

-Jester

The 302 will be alot cheaper to find parts for and with the extra power of the 302 it will less to keep a light little truck/suv as yours movin and a 4.0 can get pretty decent from what I've heard but I've seen mostly 15-17mpgs posted, just get a FI 302 and it will get decent mileage plue you could probably get a tuner for power and be able to switch it to economy... you could do that with a 4.0 too i would guess.

I vote 302, gotta love good ol' american small blocks.

then again you are getting the 4.0L for free, (which is my favorite price.)

 

[Sunk]

I'd go with a 4.0. It's a simpler swap, and I think you stand a better chance of getting decent mileage with it.

 

[PaleBlue90]

i think in your b2 the 4.0 would be best. its true the 302 would be cheaper, but ya cant beat a 4.0 for free ninty nine

 

[svtranger04]

4.0l

the 302 is a bit heaver and your right to get 20mpg out of it you'd have to drive it like a old lady, so i am voting 4.0l

 

[BlackBII]

I vote 4.0. Easy swap.

My old BII that I swapped a 4.0 in got a good 19 or so average. Better than my 2.9 even.