Which Tranny? Turbo 350, 4spd, other?

[Joe Link]

My cruiser currently has a 350/Turbo 350 setup. The 350 is a crate engine rated around 300hp. The guy did a beautiful job with the conversion but auto rigs bug me, I don't feel like I have as much control over the vehicle. My driving style includes alot of braking via shifting and such. Maybe you guys can talk me into keeping the Turbo 350 though? What're the advantages and disadvantages compared with a manual tranny, specifically the 4spd later cruisers have. This is my daily driver and gas mileage means ALOT to me. I don't wheel much except for the occasional trip to the woods to shoot or playin around on the dunes.

 

[Poser]

keep the auto....

 

[dieseldog]

Given what you've said about your uses and style, the auto is the way to go--hell, you already got it in place. Maintain the status quo, boy.

 

[sonoranfun]

Forget the auto!! It's a total piece of crap! I'll tell you what, you send that and the adapter plate to me and I'll send you back a nice shinny 4 speed! Excellent deal for you to say the least! No need to even thank me, no honestly, I don't mind

 

[Rice]

Agree with the above. Keep the auto. Added point, keep it cool. It's certainly possible to destroy a t-350 but with only 300 HP it will last provided you use a top notch cooler.

 

[axlechassis]

If it works don't fix it!
If you really want fuel economy bolt a 6.2 diesel in there. Mid 20's!

 

[dgangle]

The words "FJ40", "350" & "fuel economy" do not go in the same sentence. BTDT. You're driving the wrong vehicle if you're trying to be frugal. Not trying to turn this into a milage debate but I get just over 100 miles out of a 14 gallon poly tank with my carb'd 350 w/ 4 speed, 4:11's & 33's.

An FJ40 is as aerodynamic as a barn door. You could probably get "better" mileage w/ a 700R w/ overdrive and/or 3:70 R&P's to drop the RPM's. Alot depends on your driving style. The direct fan you have is a big power robber. You may want to consider an electric or a mechanical clutch fan. You may soon find your OE radiator with no shroud is not going to prove to be the most advantageous setup for cooling either.

Correction: thermal clutch fan, duh.

 

[honk]

You never mentioned wanting fuel milage all the time that you were DYING to have a cruiser. Now sleep in the bed that you made.


For milage get a cheap Honda in craig's list.

 

[Joe Link]

I assumed I'd get some answers like those, and that's ok. I know these things get poor fuel economy, but if there are things I can do to be on the upper end of the spectrum instead of the lower end, I'm going to do it. I have a car the gets good fuel mileage, and it stays at home because the FJ is so much fun to drive.

 

[SPRDAV]

I gota agree with all of the above because of experience. I had a NV4500 and changed over to an auto. More fun to drive and better control on the trail. Honestly I didn't see a huge mileage difference. Never really calc it, to depressing.

 

[camcruiser13]

keep it

 

[Joe Link]

Ok ok, you guys talked me into it

 

[jesterfj40]

I'am dealing with this problem in my 72fj40. I have TPI350 with a th400 behind it and its a gas hog about 8 miles to the gallon. When i had the sm420 my milage was about 12, the auto is deffinitly a better choice of the trail. I have actually thought about going back to the man but i decided to trailer instead. But i have noticed the cooler the engine is the better milage you get.

 

[coolcruiserfj40]

I'am dealing with this problem in my 72fj40. I have TPI350 with a th400 behind it and its a gas hog about 8 miles to the gallon. When i had the sm420 my milage was about 12, the auto is deffinitly a better choice of the trail. I have actually thought about going back to the man but i decided to trailer instead. But i have noticed the cooler the engine is the better milage you get.

i have a 350 tbi and turbo400 and i get 13-14 with 4.11s

 

[Hossdog]

KWITCHERBITCHIN bout MPG!! Id drive my cruiser if it got 2 miles per gallon.....thats why they make those goofy hybrids.

 

[Joe Link]

I wonder how much my fuel mileage would increase if I added a FI setup to the current 350. Anyone know if you could just pull the EFI from say, an LT1 and install it on any 350?