Whats the farthest you driven your gbody?

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468monte

Not-quite-so-new-guy
Aug 26, 2010
49
12
8
Im traveling from charleston sc, to atlanta in june and have never droven my regal that long of a drive before. Maybe only 2 to 3 hour trips max, so im pretty excited about the ride. So that brings me to my question have far have you guys driven and what set ups. Im running a th-400, 3.73 gears, and a mild 383. And i know i know 700r4 is better so that solves that lol
 

Mike P

Master Mechanic
Aug 7, 2009
446
208
43
Arizona
I make at least 1 trip from AZ to IL a year and usually rack up 4000 miles by the time I get back. I travel mostly interstates running 75-80 MPH the whole trip. I've done it once in the wife's 84 El Camino (1973 LT1 350/TH350/stock 10 bolt with 2.70 something gears and 225/70/14 tires) and at lest 6 times in my 83 El Camino (507 Cadillac/TH400/Ford 9" w/2.75 Gears and 235/70/15 tires).

Out here in AZ most of our secondary roads are 65 MPH and Interstates are 75 MPH and I do very little in town driving so I geared accordingly (and the 507 Caddy doesn't need a lot of gear anyway). Gas mileage with either isn't phenomenal; about 16 MPG with the 350/350 Combo, and 17-18 with the 507/400 combo, at 75 with the AC on. I live at 4500 ft above sea level and where I travel to is at 200 ft so I usually step up to premium fuel on the trip and take a couple of degrees of timing out of the engine.

With your drive train I wouldn't expect great mileage, but you should make it there and back with no problems..........the one suggestion I would make is to be sure the cooling system (especially the radiator) is in good shape.
 

Garrett1982

G-Body Guru
May 18, 2014
582
101
28
Uniontown, Pa
Im traveling from charleston sc, to atlanta in june and have never droven my regal that long of a drive before. Maybe only 2 to 3 hour trips max, so im pretty excited about the ride. So that brings me to my question have far have you guys driven and what set ups. Im running a th-400, 3.73 gears, and a mild 383. And i know i know 700r4 is better so that solves that lol
I wouldn't say a 700r4 is better than a th400, just that it has an overdrive.
 
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468monte

Not-quite-so-new-guy
Aug 26, 2010
49
12
8
I make at least 1 trip from AZ to IL a year and usually rack up 4000 miles by the time I get back. I travel mostly interstates running 75-80 MPH the whole trip. I've done it once in the wife's 84 El Camino (1973 LT1 350/TH350/stock 10 bolt with 2.70 something gears and 225/70/14 tires) and at lest 6 times in my 83 El Camino (507 Cadillac/TH400/Ford 9" w/2.75 Gears and 235/70/15 tires).

Out here in AZ most of our secondary roads are 65 MPH and Interstates are 75 MPH and I do very little in town driving so I geared accordingly (and the 507 Caddy doesn't need a lot of gear anyway). Gas mileage with either isn't phenomenal; about 16 MPG with the 350/350 Combo, and 17-18 with the 507/400 combo, at 75 with the AC on. I live at 4500 ft above sea level and where I travel to is at 200 ft so I usually step up to premium fuel on the trip and take a couple of degrees of timing out of the engine.

With your drive train I wouldn't expect great mileage, but you should make it there and back with no problems..........the one suggestion I would make is to be sure the cooling system (especially the radiator) is in good shape.

Thats not bad at all and your also lucky you have AC, im making this trip with no AC in the beginning of summer. And yes im glad you metion the cooling system because thats my number 1 priority before i get on the road since i havent driven my car in nearly a year Im replaceing all the small stuff. Such as rad cap, thermostat, rad flush. Also plan on having my driveshaft re balanced with new U joints. Had a driveshaft come out on me on the interstate a couple years ago after getting on it real hard. Ever since that day i always have had that scare in the back of my head. Even though it has been fixed for 2 years now lol. Thats why I drive easy on interstates.
 

468monte

Not-quite-so-new-guy
Aug 26, 2010
49
12
8
I wouldn't say a 700r4 is better than a th400, just that it has an overdrive.

Your right, its just that its much more preferred then what I have. Dont see to many guys traveling with 3 speeds these days and times.
 

Streetbu

Know it all, that doesn't
Supporting Member
May 22, 2011
3,721
11,525
113
Central NY
Drove from Savannah GA to Syracuse NY many years ago. 3.42 gears, T350, trunk and back seat completely full. I have no idea what my mileage was, but it was horrible. Had to fill up every 200 miles. I would still do it again though!
 

pontiacgp

blank
Mar 31, 2006
29,270
20,391
113
Kitchener, Ontario
I drove it 5 hours to crew a race car and then drove it back after the race. With a 5 speed stick and 3.08 gears my GP is great on the highway. If I keep it around 65 mph I get over 25 mpg
 

ssn696

Living in the Past
Supporting Member
Jul 19, 2009
5,543
6,662
113
Permanent Temporary
1992 - Orlando to Idaho Falls, then Oakland via Donner Pass in February. Man, that was one serious road trip! Since I was towing a trailer, I bought tire chains in Reno and sold them for a $5 profit on the other side. When I hit Sacramento, I stopped at a Denny's and stood in bare feet on green grass - what a change from the 14-foot snow canyon just a hundred miles back.
 

468monte

Not-quite-so-new-guy
Aug 26, 2010
49
12
8
You might consider investing in AAA-Plus, just for peace of mind.

Most definitely. Its good to know that there is people that still drive there gbodys no matter distance. All of my friends cars are trailer queens
 
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