100 MPG in 400 Horsepower Mustang?

Editor

When we had out Bullit Mustang test car, fuel efficiency was the last thing any of the editorial staff was thinking about. But inventor Doug Pelmear claims that after some engine modifications, his ’87 Pony is getting 100MPG. Other than the fact that it runs on ethanol, there are no specifics, so I think I’m going to side with the skeptics over at Jalopnik and wait to see some proof before I freak out about this supposedly revolutionary car. Fortunately, Pelmear will be at SEMA, so I might get a chance to talk to him in person next week. Stay tuned.

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Posted at 12:17 am in John Coyle, SEMA, SEMA 2008, Videos

Comments

Ryan
Nov 5, 2008 at 3:23 pm

It took years to go from push rod overhead valve engines to variable vale timing overhead cams and more efficient engine designs. in the 60s and 70s most V8 engines struggled to put out 140-150HP and today that’s that baseline for most econoboxs.

Now that we’re dealing with a different fuel source (ethenol) we’re opening up the doors for R&D.

Jeff
Nov 4, 2008 at 1:30 am

You all have no idea what he has done to that car its posible…

chandler Bachtold
Nov 3, 2008 at 4:26 am

POS MUstang

bill
Nov 3, 2008 at 4:01 am

my ’90 corvette which is light weight and very areodynamic in neutral falling off a cliff couldn’t even get that many mpg’s the car sitting in the garage not running couldn’t even get that many mpg’s

retroman
Nov 2, 2008 at 4:21 am

Definitely skeptical. Fox bodies might be the most aerodynamic Mustangs ever made and perhaps among the lightest, but you have to go to extreme lengths to even get 60mpg out of a car. First, engine size. Even the smallest engines in the Mustang are too big for 100mpg. Second, you have to cover like 90% of the grill, shave the mirrors, add fender skirts and body pan and add items like splitters, flat wheel covers, and diffusers to keep the air flowing as straight as possible. And last is weight. Even ten extra pounds will cost you in mpg. Follow these rules, and you might get close, but even then you’d have to draft a semi to get above 100mpg.

Dhillaz
Oct 31, 2008 at 5:07 pm

I am definately a sceptic, anyway ethanol and petrol are completely different chemicals, and will of course have different MPG figures anyway.

Andy
Oct 31, 2008 at 4:27 am

I call shinangins(sp?) or BS on that statement of 100mpg with 400Hp.
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Even if you coast alot, threw the car into neutral whenever going down hill, took 11 minutes to hit 35mph, drafting, and going below the posted speed limit…..you would only attain about 35-40mpg with 400Hp.
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I call BS.