Hmm, yeah I've heard a lot about the gt40 heads from an explorer. I've been thinking about getting new heads, but I don't really know because that seems to be the most expensive.. I've heard edelbrock heads are super nice... but they are about 600 per head.

I do have an MSD cap/rotor and coil. I had the MSD wires but switched them to the Ford Racing so the boot plugs didn't get burnt by my headers.

I've heard a lot about having a new cam do a lot for the engine too. I just know nothing about which cams are better, or if I was going to do heads, which ones would be the best for my situation. I don't know how difficult it is to swap in a new cam or heads for that matter either. I think I'm pretty open to whatever cam I want since I have mass air, but I don't really know what to look for in cams. I'll probably do some more research for what will suite my needs, but there is so much to know its kind of overwhelming.

I'm just looking for more HP but also efficiency. I don't want my MPG to go down! I am thinking about replacing my timing chain too. I did my water pump about a year and a half ago, but didn't do the timing chain.... I just replaced every cooling part on my friends exterra, and I had to take off his timing belt in order to get to the water pump (which was a complete pain in the a**). But I ended up doing everything correctly and I think the timing chain on my Bronco wouldn't be nearly as difficult as his timing belt.

I'm just looking for the next 'easiest' thing to do for some more power and efficiency!

Anyways, enough rambling, I have to go back to changing my moms explorers brakes!

 

Alright, I've decided the next thing I'm going to do is replace the Timing Chain and sprockets. I had a coolant leak at the timing chain cover but tightening up bolt seemed to stop that problem. Anyways, I've got over 190,000 miles on my Bronco and haven't done the Timing Chain, so I suppose I should do it soon.

I am hoping I might notice a little more performance after changing the chain, but if it's not stretched, I suppose it won't make a difference. I've already changed the water pump, so I think I'll keep that, but what else should I look at changing out while I'm in there? I'll wait until I have a weekend off to tackle this project, but I don't think it will be too difficult, just slightly tedious. The fact that I have an electric fan will give me a little more room to work on this so that's a positive!

On a side note, I've been looking heavily at getting an 80s, preferably 88, camaro. I know.. I know! It's a Chevy, but I just don't like the 80s mustangs, and the 70s Mustangs are too much money. I've found a lot of 80s camaros in running condition for under 2k. The biggest reasons I'm looking at getting one is because 1. They are super cheap, and 2. I've heard they get 20-25 mpg pretty easily with the smaller v8s. (So I can commute more often and not feel so bad)

And the third reason is basically I'll have another car to drive around so I can do more serious work on my Bronco. I want to get new heads and a cam, potentially change the oil pan seal, but I can't do any work like that when the Bronco is my daily driver.

If anyone has any recommendations on a cooler car/truck than a Camaro that gets 20-25mpg let me know!

 

I'm sorry to bust your bubble, but those cars are unreliable. Your should try to get an old Corolla, Civic, Neon or Sentra. Those won't give you trouble and will make good commuters. Then you will save enough money to do a lot of mods in the Bronco... That's my take.

 

Yeah, I don't know about the reliability of those cars, but I think they look pretty cool. I know the 'smartest' choice would be to get a corolla, or civic or something but I wouldn't be happy with that. The reason I say 'smartest' in quotes is because I personally don't think its a good idea to spend tons of money on something I would not like or enjoy. Yes, those cars will be quite reliable and much better on MPG, probably cheaper to fix too if they do break, but I would never like driving them, nor would I want to spend money on buying one. They would be the more financially responsible decision for sure, but then if I wanted to go that route I would have never bought my Bronco! I try to be responsible with my money, BUT I also want to be happy with what I have.

An 88 Camaro seems to be a good choice for me because they are super cheap, get good gas mileage (anything above 20 for me is good, not great but good), and look cool. I don't expect too much out of it, especially when I first get it, but after I have it for a while and fix it up, I'm sure I could get it to be pretty decent.

I was thinking of getting a motorcycle, but my dad said I'm not getting one "while I live in this house". He thinks they are too dangerous, and yes they are, but they are going to be the best on mileage and are still cool. But until I graduate college and move out, I'm not going to consider a motorcycle.

You are right on a corolla or civic saving me money for mods for my truck though... but I would feel upset driving a civic instead of my truck! I wouldn't feel as bad if I got to drive something else I liked. I guess I'm a little spoiled when it comes to driving!

 

Lol americans are funny at times, but of course, the choice is yours. Believe me, the Corolla is fun to drive. We've owned 3 so far, all of them excellent cars, reliable, economical, quick too (they aren't Mustangs, but they respond just fine to the pedal). They're actually so good that the only angle the PR departments from "some" brands that managed to put a dent in their reputation was that those cars are soul-less... I say BS!.

Take my advice, remember that all you save now will multiply in the future, all that should add up until you can actually buy a new car you really like. Or, again, more money for the Bronco, which is coming great.

 

Well all messing around aside, the Camaro really isn't the best car. This isn't because of the "bow-tie badge" or anything stupid like they, i mean genuinely they really aren't that good. You sit really low to the ground and the chair leans back when your driving. I have heard of cases where people have said it's like riding in a coffin. Of course the handling will not be great but it is a big car so thats kind of normal. Even the V6 has plenty of power to roast both tires on a posi rear end (i had a friend in highschool who had an 80s.) even when it hasn't rained out. But that is only really true if you keep it running. As far as i know they do have some electrical issues and the fuel pumps aren't all that great.

Anyways besides all that, they are ok cars and people really like them which means finding other forums to figure out how to fix something shouldn't be hard. As for a different commuter car, I would agree with Encho that those little 4bangers do scoot right along and are great on gas but the choice is yours. Some people have different tastes in what they drive. But knocking those line of cars out, you don't have too many "cool" cheap efficient cars left. You could look into Subaru or a Volkswagen. They have ok cars.

But you know, it is ultimately up to you, comb over craigslist in your area and see if anything catches your eye. Who knows there could be a hidden gem out there that you stumble on.

 

Yeah you guys are right that there are much better choices for a commuter car out there, but I suppose I a little spoiled with my tastes like I said. I don't doubt that the corolla has some kick to it. They aren't bad looking cars, and probably decently fast with excellent gas mileage but... I don't really like they way they look at all... I'm just super picky when it comes to what I drive, and I can't find anything I like that gets decent mileage that is going to be affordable. The only other car I was thinking of (that I know of so far) was an older 300zx. The 90s ones look pretty decent, and get about the same mileage as far as I know, but they are more expensive..

I guess once I get the funds and look around Craigslist I'll know what decision to make then. I really would like a sports-like car that isn't horrible on gas but I'll see.

On a side note.. I have to figure out this noise my Bronco's making now! Maybe she's getting jealous and wants the attention because I have started to hear a squeaking/chattering noise when in gear... Its mostly noticeable in 1st and 2nd when accelerating. I hope it's nothing too bad. Maybe an old U-joint. I guess I'll find out tomorrow when I get a chance to look at it.

 

Lol you wont get 20+ mpg on a camaro. Even if the car could get that mileage, noone drives it like that for long. Dont get an older nissan, theu are a pain to work on and parts just arent out there. I vote vlassic mustang mustang but im biased. Really any older car with you small block ford or chevy will be easy to fix and find parts for. I prefer having fords since parts overlap and can be used on dif vehicles

 

Not true sir, I owned a 1990 Pontiac Firebird with the 3.1 liter V6, and I never got under 20 mpg unless I was driving like an idiot. As for reliability, I only had 3 problems with the car, and two of them were caused by the previous owner. 1) The tailpipe broke near the muffler due to age. 2) The key would not come out of the lock (due to the previous owner installing parts in the steering column from a non airbag equipped steering column) and 3) The fuel pump went out.

I loved that car. I was the second owner, and it was black with a tan cloth interior. I had it repainted, upgraded the stereo and speakers, installed a Viper alarm, bought a top of the line car cover for it, and enjoyed the heck out of it. I had the paint shop install a Trans Am hood on it when they painted it too.The V6 did not have the power of the 305, or 350 V8's but it made up for that in mpg. As for the seating position, I loved it. There is plenty of legroom, and sitting low like that makes it feel like you are in a sports car. Mine had the T-tops too, and was fully loaded with AC, cruise, and power windows/locks. To this day I kick myself for ever trading that car in. I loved cruising around with the T-tops off, and the windows down. I would buy another one in a heartbeat. Of course, mine was the standard Firebird and not the Trans Am, and it was already in good shape before I got it being a one owner car, but still, I would not hesitate to get another one, or a Camaro from the same year.

Jim

 

Hmm yeah I think the Firebirds would be very similar to the Camaros. I can manage to drive my Bronco pretty conservatively even with the new exhaust, so I think I could drive the Camaro in a similar fashion. I have 90% highway miles to travel, so I can't really drive it too hard unless I'm 1. Speeding, or 2. slowing down and accelerating for no reason!

If I had mainly city miles to drive, it may be a different story, but then my Bronco wouldn't be getting 14-15 either I think. (Which it should be getting more!!! Stupid Open Loop mode.. I'll get it to switch back to closed loop some day).

Anyways, personally, I WOULD rather have a 70s Mustang, but they are just too much money, and I think their MPG would be a bit worse. I really don't like the way the 80s mustangs look at all.. thats what I was originally considering to buy for the reason that I would have two Ford 302s to work on, but I don't think I'd be happy with the purchase.

When I purchase something expensive, like a vehicle, I buy it with the mindset that I really better like it and it's something I'm going to keep for the rest of my life. If I go with something I don't like, I will eventually get rid of it and probably lose money on the whole thing. If I keep it and like it, then the money I put into it is actually money I WANT to spend (that's my mindset with my Bronco! My parents did NOT want me getting one because of mileage and repair costs etc, but it's the best thing I've ever bought!))

I think a Camaro is a good compromise for what I'm looking for. I want something that looks cool, gets a bit better mileage than my Bronco, and is cheap.

There are plenty of other options for better mileage (a lot better at that) and cheap, but I will never be able to be happy with my purchase. I have not found any cars that can fulfill looking cool/good MPG/and cheap except for these Camaros or possibly the 300zx. I've looked into some older muscle cars and quickly stopped looking because they would probably get worse mileage than my Bronco and the price goes up pretty fast when they are older than the 80s. If only 1996 Dodge Vipers were under 5k, then I would know what to get!!

 

I was referring to Camaro with a V8, wouldn't waste my time looking at one with a V6. Yes they have get up and go, but I feel that its really an injustice to the Name to get a V6. V6 Mustangs are no better.

But yes if you got a car with a 4 or 6 cylinder engine then yes you can get 20+ fairly easily.

 

Yea, mine was a paper tiger. it looked like Trans Am, but did not go or handle like one.

Jim

 

I've enjoyed my Camry for an all around vehicle. I'm 6', 240lbs- the Camry has plenty of room for me, the 2.4L 4 cyl gives a constant 32 mpg on the highway and it's just a safe, comfortable car to drive. It's inexpensive to insure because it has 5 star crash ratings in all categories. I could care less if anyone else doesn't think it's 'cool', I'm laughing all the way to the bank because it doesn't cost a lot to operate it and it's just stupidly reliable.

 

My grandmother had a cool gold TransAm but after she past away the car was sold to another family member who, instead of restoring it, sold it. It kind of sucked but unfortunately i don't really remember much from it. I was too young.
It's also true that older vehicles won't get super good mpg but a 302 in a mustang (for example) can get 20 mpg if you try hard enough. They aren't as heavy as a bronco and they don't have 4wd. Anyways, imo i dislike the camaro and the firebird/trans am because of the way you sit. I feel like i have a slower response for steering if i am that low and leaned back. Other people like it though.

 

Yeah, I just really like the way the 88 camaros look (for my price range that is, I REALLY like 96 Dodge Vipers or 71 Chevelles)... but I have never been in one.

A camary would be a great commuter car, there are a lot of pretty good commuter cars out there... but I really want something cool too... I was thinking MAYBE the 90s mustangs, but my girlfriend has a V6 one that gets about the same mileage as my Bronco... something is definitely not right for it to be getting that bad, but I'm not too fond of the 90s mustangs either... hmmm being picky has it's downsides.

On a side note, I figured out what that squeak was........ My front U-joint (in front of the double cardon joint) I replaced about 4 years ago decided to grind up most of the pin bearings and make a lot of dust.... also I lost a few pin bearings in the double cardon ball joint... so I just finished replacing those again! I replaced the other U-joint in the double cardon joint area to be safe. The last U-joint seemed to be in great condition (and I onlt bought 2 U-joints) so I didn't replace it, just greased it up! So I better not have any more squeaking!