Driving to Florida vs Towing

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This Bad Demon

This Bad Demon

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Ok. I have a dilemma/debate:clock: going on with myself right now. Towards the end of the year I plan to put my Demon on a boat to bring it to Nassau Bahamas:cheers:. Now I was trying to decide would it be easier/cheaper to drive it all the way, half of the way then tow rest of way, or tow it all the way. The place I'll be leaving from is Danville Va going to Ft. Lauderdale Florida. I used to drive big trucks so I pretty much got my directions down pack. The thing I was looking at is gas mileage....I KNOW IT AIN'T A PRIUS so I know I'm going to have to stop a few times along the way. Ok so the engine I have is going to be a stock rebuild 340 (stock bores, pistons, etc.) a hughes cam (can give specs if it may make a difference in ones calculations) 650 speed demon carb, 727 trans, 3.23 gears maybe 3.73 depending on what they allow me to carry in car on boat. Stock size tires. Full MSD ignition. I don't plan to run the interstate until I get down into S.C. Even then I goin to be in the granny lane cruising between 55 and 60. I was thinking at minimum I should get 10 miles to the gallon ( I'm used to a 318 don't know if I'm going to high or low on guessing with a 340). So with a 16 gallon tank (if my math is good) I should be able to go about 140-150 miles on a tank of gas? I'm going to have an emergency jug if need be. Plan to rebuild suspension front and rear and a new gas tank. Let me know what you guys think about the situation and what would your GOOD not crappy opinions ( I don't want my thread goin to pot :wack:) cause I REALLY have to have a good plan map out to get my car and myself there in one piece. Thanks.....
 
as since the car is not put together, i would say that before making a long trip like that, you may want to drive the car for shorter trips first, as, there is always BUGS to work out on a 30+ y/o car. if you do not have the time to do this, i would say have it transported there
 
Have you looked into Autotrain? Leaves Lorton VA. at 5pm and arrives at Sanford FL. (Orlando) at 7am. Wake up get off the train, they unload your car and you drive where you want to. No hassles.
 
train would be a good idea.


as for driving it goes. if the bugs are already worked out of it i would throw a set of 3.23 maybe even 2.76 gears in it and drive it. i think you'll get better then 10 mpg. why stay away from the freeway? i think i would want to stay on the freeway all the way from va. unless you want the scenic view.
 
@340plot Yeah I know all about the bugs. I'll tell you some of the stories about the first go round when I got the car about 6 years ago when I talk to you when I come stateside....I had planned to drive it up to Richmond once I get it together as a "trial" run even though I know that's not enough distance but it'll give me an idea.

64conv65hard
Have you looked into Autotrain? Leaves Lorton VA. at 5pm and arrives at Sanford FL. (Orlando) at 7am. Wake up get off the train, they unload your car and you drive where you want to. No hassles

No I did not know anything about the Autotrain. I'm going to google them and check that out. That sounds like a good idea.
 
abodyjoe said:
train would be a good idea.


as for driving it goes. if the bugs are already worked out of it i would throw a set of 3.23 maybe even 2.76 gears in it and drive it. i think you'll get better then 10 mpg. why stay away from the freeway? i think i would want to stay on the freeway all the way from va. unless you want the scenic view.
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The route I mapped out from Danville to Florence SC is straight south. To catch 95 I would have to go east in NC which is kinda out of the way. I would run 95 once I reach around Florence SC. Scenic view ain't to bad....I learned to enjoy it behind the wheel of an eighteen wheeler.
 
This Bad Demon said:
The route I mapped out from Danville to Florence SC is straight south. To catch 95 I would have to go east in NC which is kinda out of the way. I would run 95 once I reach around Florence SC. Scenic view ain't to bad....I learned to enjoy it behind the wheel of an eighteen wheeler.
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makes sense.. :)
 
Yea I jus checked the site out. The sample quote I got is good and kind of the numbers I been playing around with with on the fuel, but it's even better cause I don't have to put the money into staying in hotel rooms :cheers:......Thanks for the help FABO.
 
This Bad Demon said:
Yea I jus checked the site out. The sample quote I got is good and kind of the numbers I been playing around with with on the fuel, but it's even better cause I don't have to put the money into staying in hotel rooms :cheers:......Thanks for the help FABO.
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lol.. what have you been using for a gas price? by th etime your ready it may be at $4 + a gallon.. makes the train look even better.. :)
 
I was using a 3.90 estimate. Gas over here is and has been over 4.00 . It's about 4.35 last I heard. Yea the train does sound like a very good idea. Keep it simple and just use the seat to rest in to keep costs down.
 
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