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Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » [GMCnet] The more things change, the more they stay the same
[GMCnet] The more things change, the more they stay the same [message #242136] Sat, 01 March 2014 16:08 Go to next message
glwgmc is currently offline  glwgmc   United States
Messages: 1014
Registered: June 2004
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Senior Member
In the March 2013 edition of motorHome magazine is a review of a new Winnebago vista motorhome. It is called a 26' model but actually measures 26' 11" long. Powered by a Ford V10 running through a 5 speed transmission and 4:88 final drive, and weighing only a bit more than our GMCs (13,780 pounds GVW) it gets 7.5 mpg. Yes it is a breadbox in shape and a bit wider and higher on the outside (not all that much wider/higher on the inside), but even running through a thoroughly modern efi engine with computer controlled spark, knock sensor and with a modern computer controlled five speed transmission it still consumes more fuel than most of our 40 year old wonders. Makes one question many of our attempts to "modernize" our drive lines, doesn't it!

The article goes on to talk about a 6 percent grade they took in third gear (two down from their top gear) at 4,000 RPMs in order to maintain 58 mph. We came over both the Siskiyou pass and the grapevine on the I5 (both at least that steep) in our top gear at 3000 RPMs while maintaining 55 mph without going to WOT. Oh, and it costs $88,000. Interesting.

Jerry

Jerry Work
The Dovetail Joint
Fine furniture designed & hand crafted
in the 1907 former Masonic Temple building
in historic Kerby, OR
http://jerrywork.com

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Jerry & Sharon Work
78 Royale
Kerby, OR
Re: [GMCnet] The more things change, the more they stay the same [message #242143 is a reply to message #242136] Mon, 03 March 2014 08:32 Go to previous messageGo to next message
jhbridges is currently offline  jhbridges   United States
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Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
Karma: -74
Senior Member
I think it beats down to it take a certain amount of energy to accelerate a given mass up to road speed, and propel it up a grade.  Steady state it takes something to push the box through the wind.  Given the difference in perceived smoothness and frontal area, it isn't much of a surprise than one gets a bit less mileage.  That we've a larger engine probably accounts for the3 difference in hill climbing. 

For what it's worth - my coach is rolling up to 100K on the clock.  As far as I can tell, it6's never had the intake or rocker covers or oil pan off since new.  It does have a set of Thorleys, two open flow  mufflers up front underneath,, and a three inch pipe. Pretty much all I've done in the 13K miles I've had it is grease it, change the oil and filters, and feed it decent gasoline when I can find it.  Over that 13K, about two thirds with a toad clipped on the back, and probably a third at least with the Junkerac running.  Two weekends per year require power, the set normally runs about 30 hours for those.  In that distance, it has done 9 and slight change if I did the arithmetic correctly.

8 - 10 seems to be the necessary energy to pull the things about. 

--johnny
'76 23' transmode norris
Braselton GA


________________________________
From: Gerald Work <glwork@mac.com>
To: Gmc Forum <gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org>
Sent: Saturday, March 1, 2014 5:08 PM
Subject: [GMCnet] The more things change, the more they stay the same


In the March 2013 edition of motorHome magazine is a review of a new Winnebago vista motorhome.  It is called a 26' model but actually measures 26' 11" long.  Powered by a Ford V10 running through a 5 speed transmission and 4:88 final drive, and weighing only a bit more than our GMCs (13,780 pounds GVW) it gets 7.5 mpg.  Yes it is a breadbox in shape and a bit wider and higher on the outside (not all that much wider/higher on the inside), but even running through a thoroughly modern efi engine with computer controlled spark, knock sensor and with a modern computer controlled five speed transmission it still consumes more fuel than most of our 40 year old wonders.  Makes one question many of our attempts to "modernize" our drive lines, doesn't it!

The article goes on to talk about a 6 percent grade they took in third gear (two down from their top gear) at 4,000 RPMs in order to maintain 58 mph.  We came over both the Siskiyou pass and the grapevine on the I5 (both at least that steep) in our top gear at 3000 RPMs while maintaining 55 mph without going to WOT.  Oh, and it costs $88,000.  Interesting.

Jerry

Jerry Work
The Dovetail Joint
Fine furniture designed & hand crafted
in the 1907 former Masonic Temple building
in historic Kerby, OR
http://jerrywork.com/

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Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons. Braselton, Ga. I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
Re: [GMCnet] The more things change, the more they stay the same [message #242148 is a reply to message #242136] Mon, 03 March 2014 09:08 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Keith V is currently offline  Keith V   United States
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Registered: March 2008
Location: Mounds View,MN
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Senior Member
4.88 rear end?!!
I wonder why so low. are their tires much bigger? Or is it because they run an overdrive transmission?

I'm about to pull the trigger on the 3.70 final drive, but I sometimes wonder if 4.11 isn't really a better idea as I would LOVE to be able to drive 55 and be in the powerband.

I do know 55 with my stock gears sucks, it really likes 65-70, but I don't like to drive that fast.


Keith Vasilakes
Mounds View. MN
75 ex Royale GMC
ask me about MicroLevel
Cell, 763-732-3419
My427v8@hotmail.com
Re: [GMCnet] The more things change, the more they stay the same [message #242169 is a reply to message #242148] Mon, 03 March 2014 11:46 Go to previous message
jhbridges is currently offline  jhbridges   United States
Messages: 8412
Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
Karma: -74
Senior Member
If memory serves, the power band on the V-10 cammer motor is at a somewhat higher RPM than the 455s.  Anybody got the curves for one?

--johnny


________________________________
From: Keith V <my427v8@hotmail.com>
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Sent: Monday, March 3, 2014 10:08 AM
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] The more things change, the more they stay the same




4.88 rear end?!!
I wonder why so low. are their tires much bigger? Or is it because they run an overdrive transmission?

I'm about to pull the trigger on the 3.70 final drive, but I sometimes wonder if 4.11 isn't really a better idea as I would LOVE to be able to drive 55 and be in the powerband.

I do know 55 with my stock gears sucks, it really likes 65-70, but I don't like to drive that fast.
--
Keith
69 Vette
29 Dodge
75 Royale GMC
Mounds View. MN

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Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons. Braselton, Ga. I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
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