Okay all you out there with V8 Astros, here is a question I have not seen covered.....What kind of MPG does a V-8 (5.7 TBI) Astro get?

Bueler? Bueler? Anyone?

Just FYI, this is a 1990 AWD Astro, with 255/60/15 tires (well, thats what they will be soon)
If I do this swap, it will be with a remaned 5.7, stock roller cam, shorty tube headers, a swirl type TBI spacer (trans-dapt?), stock TBI intake / maybe Edelbrock Performer TBI intake, stock HEI distributor, and K&N air filter.....very mild build up, guessing 300 HP?

One other question on V-8 swap.....can I use my stock computer and but a new custom burned chip, or do I have to change computers out, and if so...does that require a rewire? Thanks for all the help everyone.

Oh, reason for this swap is I spun a rod bearing, and can only afford to do a bearing replacement right now...going to drop the oil pan, lightly clean the journals with emery cloth, and replace the bearings.....band aid fix at best, should be good for about 6 to 10K miles, time to build the new motor.....so do I do a 5.7 or a 4.3? I HAVE to keep some sort of MPG as this is my daily driver.

Your MPG will varry by what you do to the motor and your driving habbits. My guess would be that it would be similar to driving your old vanwith the V8.

One thing you may have to research is the AWD system. You may want to ask Boob over at Vandomain, or on Astro/Safari about putting a V8 in an AWD. I'm not tootally sure it is possible to do that and keep the AWD.

IMHO I wouldn't put a V8 in your daily driver. It's kind of the opposite situation you'd want for driving in the city and stuff. I used to drive my van with a 350 every day and it put a real pinch on my funds. Do whatever you want, but I don't really think it's very a economic motor with 4 dollar gas. Then again I have no idea what kind of daily driving you do. Maybe it's all highway, my drive was about half city, half highway.

My 83 one ton with a 350 5.7 (carburated) gets about 12 mpg, and hippie luke gets about 13 in his 94 one ton diesel, so I'm guessing that if you don't have a heavy foot in the astro you'd be looking at a little above 16 mpg with AWD in tact. But I'm just guessing.

Good luck, sounds like a cool project!

I agree! After paying $5.13 a gallon for diesel on the NY Thruway, I would think you would want a good mileage daily driver at least.

Well, it is a mute point now...as the Astro is dead and gone, If you read my post in the General section, you will understand.....

http://www.vannin.com/threads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=211250&page=1

sorry to hear that man. Well, good things will come up soon for you I'm sure. I wrecked my ford explorer and then I bought a van! here I am now!