"Porpoising" for better mpg - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

72CustomCamper · 03-02-2003, 01:56 AM

This is either the answer to today's gas prices or another way to exercise your suspension...

O'l Buck · 03-02-2003, 02:17 AM

I'm totally lost here......what is "Porpoising"?

Lightspeed · 03-02-2003, 02:18 AM

i own a florida car so i think the lack of understand when it comes to voting has rubbed off on me. so what the heck is poirposing?

68 Suburban · 03-02-2003, 02:22 AM

This was my first day to "porpoise'. Actually I am doing a modified "porpoise". I'll let you know how it goes. lol

I voted yes, but I don't know the gas mileage yet since this is my first day!

Lowerd1 · 03-02-2003, 05:41 AM

A Porpoise is:
1.Any of several gregarious toothed whales of the genus Phocaena and related genera, of oceanic waters, characteristically having a blunt snout and a triangular dorsal fin. Also called sea hog.
2.Any of several related aquatic mammals, such as the dolphin.

What are you Whaling for better gas???????????????/

My 1972 Chevy got 8mpg and my dads 1978 Chevy gets 15mpg now. Thats better than my 95 Grand Prix gets now since it only gets 10mpg. Hopefully my new truck will get better gas mileage since I can't deal with 10mpg and close $2 a gallon for gas.

72c10 · 03-02-2003, 09:40 AM

I think the real reason behind this thread is to find out how many of us know what porpoising is

68 Suburban · 03-02-2003, 11:05 AM

hehe, I don't think the original poster knows what it is, that is why he posted it

This thread might help people understand how this came about:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...threadid=42809

68 Suburban · 03-02-2003, 11:06 AM

By the way, I am only "porpoising" in the city. I think it would be a pain on the Hwy.

*Gee_Emm* · 03-02-2003, 12:29 PM

**Canadian694x4** · 03-02-2003, 12:42 PM

WTF?

toms68cst · 03-02-2003, 01:26 PM

Airplanes porpoise when they have no control changes. The airplane that the golfer Stewart? died in porpoised after the pilot died. I don't know what that has to do with gas mileage in an old Chevy truck????

Locutus · 03-02-2003, 02:23 PM

Could someone at least explain what porpoising is? or at least post the link that explains it. It has definatly caught our attention and I don't think anyone will judge 68 Sub for trying anything to save buck or 2 in this current economy.

Mike

ChevLoRay · 03-02-2003, 02:31 PM

My old Lawnboy mower was very adept at "porpoising". The engine would speed up and slow down, and was supposed to speed up under load, or at least maintain a steady RPM.

I have been behind people who would speed up and then slow down, especially on two-lane, winding roads, with no place to pass. It is nerve-wracking when you're not driving by the same music they're listening to!

casey · 03-02-2003, 03:06 PM

Oh I get it, it's just a joke, man you had us going

68 Suburban · 03-02-2003, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by casey
Oh I get it, it's just a joke, man you had us going

It is not a joke, it is a driving technique

MandarinSixSeven · 03-02-2003, 03:33 PM

Isnt it just when you accelerate, then put it in neutral and coast for as long as you can...some people think that it saves gas
but I think its useless. One of my old friends father used to do it, and even as a kid i was embarrassed. But also, I'm still not sure what porpoising actually is, this is just a guess.

72CustomCamper · 03-02-2003, 05:49 PM

...72c10, you are correct.

I have no idea what "porpoising" is and 68 Suburban won't tell us

Guess we will have to wait for his results...

**Palf70Step** · 03-02-2003, 06:01 PM

Man....off the board for a couple hours and look what I missed. Sheesh......Now to apply all the college education, homework, and research I have come up with
WHAT??????????

Could thisd mean there has been too much time with the frog?

68 Suburban · 03-02-2003, 06:55 PM

No results yet, but looking at the gas gauge and the odometer, it looks like there could be some positive results....

special70gmc · 03-02-2003, 09:23 PM

come on your not supposed to drink the b*ng water 68 suburban

Dreaminator · 03-02-2003, 09:45 PM

I hope it works better on the highway than a 172 or 182 on touchdown. Generally it means coming in too fast on landing and bouncing. I remember my first landing. An old joke, but on roll after a hard touchdown and bounce the 22 year flight instructor asked me "Did we land or were we shot down?"

72CustomCamper · 03-03-2003, 12:45 AM

whoa...don't let this thread get buried!

You can't get off that easy, 68 Suburban...few more days of polling.

How's your mpg doin?

72c10 · 03-03-2003, 08:15 AM

if porpoising is speeding up and slowing down than I would rather spend the extra couple of bucks on gas so I dont get shot! because that is what I would like to do to the people infront of me that do that.

(disclaimer: this is not a threat or insult to the silly non driving poeple out there that are stupid enough to do this, if this is what it really is) HE HE

72c10 · 03-03-2003, 08:21 AM

"This is either the answer to today's gas prices or another way to exercise your suspension..."

Whait a minute I thank I fugured what it is I just read the original post again and it sounds like its making your vehicle bounce up and down to get the momentum going. its kinda like a trick used by go-cart racers of bouncing up and down in your seat to get the go-cart to go alittle faster. Am I right?

*Shane* · 03-03-2003, 10:29 AM

What the kart racers are doing when bouncing "up and down" is trying to manually make some forward momentum ... they arent actually bouncing "up & down" as much as they are trying to jerk the kart foward and lighten the load on the rear axle which in turn lets the clutch "spin-up" and will "lock" sooner. The sooner the clutch "locks" the quicker the bottom end acceleration is.

View Poll Results: Do you "porpoise"?
Yes, and I get AWESOME mpg	1	2.38%
No, it doesn't work.	2	4.76%
...only in the bedroom!	8	19.05%
What the heck is "porpoising"?	31	73.81%
Voters: 42. You may not vote on this poll

03-02-2003, 01:56 AM	#1
72CustomCamper Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Bremerton, WA Posts: 86	"Porpoising" for better mpg This is either the answer to today's gas prices or another way to exercise your suspension... __________________ '72 GMC C20, "2500 Super Custom", Custom Camper, New 454 '93 K2500 Suburban, Old 454 (157K)

03-02-2003, 02:17 AM	#2
O'l Buck Recovering Truck Driver Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Orleans, NE USA Posts: 1,883	I'm totally lost here......what is "Porpoising"? __________________ 67 K-20 350, SM465, Eaton rear, 4.56 no spin option 00 Dodge 2500 4x4, 24V cummins, 5 speed Chad South Central Nebraska

03-02-2003, 02:22 AM	#4
68 Suburban Registered User Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: From Chicago, Live in Phoenix, AZ Posts: 6,802	This was my first day to "porpoise'. Actually I am doing a modified "porpoise". I'll let you know how it goes. lol I voted yes, but I don't know the gas mileage yet since this is my first day! Last edited by 68 Suburban; 03-02-2003 at 03:38 PM.

03-02-2003, 05:41 AM	#5
Lowerd1 Full Time Loser! Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Murfreesboro Tennessee Posts: 65	A Porpoise is: 1.Any of several gregarious toothed whales of the genus Phocaena and related genera, of oceanic waters, characteristically having a blunt snout and a triangular dorsal fin. Also called sea hog. 2.Any of several related aquatic mammals, such as the dolphin. What are you Whaling for better gas???????????????/ My 1972 Chevy got 8mpg and my dads 1978 Chevy gets 15mpg now. Thats better than my 95 Grand Prix gets now since it only gets 10mpg. Hopefully my new truck will get better gas mileage since I can't deal with 10mpg and close $2 a gallon for gas. __________________ 1979 C10 - Its being rebuilt. 1978 Silverado - Its being driven. 1995 Grand Prix GTP - Its stock

03-02-2003, 02:18 AM	#3
Lightspeed Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Virginia Posts: 226	i own a florida car so i think the lack of understand when it comes to voting has rubbed off on me. so what the heck is poirposing?

03-02-2003, 09:40 AM	#6
72c10 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: burlington KY Posts: 175	I think the real reason behind this thread is to find out how many of us know what porpoising is

03-02-2003, 11:05 AM	#7
68 Suburban Registered User Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: From Chicago, Live in Phoenix, AZ Posts: 6,802	hehe, I don't think the original poster knows what it is, that is why he posted it This thread might help people understand how this came about: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...threadid=42809

03-02-2003, 11:06 AM	#8
68 Suburban Registered User Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: From Chicago, Live in Phoenix, AZ Posts: 6,802	By the way, I am only "porpoising" in the city. I think it would be a pain on the Hwy.

03-02-2003, 12:29 PM	#9
Gee_Emm Account Suspended Join Date: Sep 2000 Posts: 4,002

03-02-2003, 12:42 PM	#10
Canadian694x4 Born To Lose Club Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Calgary, Alberta/Oxenden, Ontario, Great White North Posts: 13,306	WTF? __________________ Brian Smith - "Born To Lose" 1969 Chevrolet K10 LWB Fleetside - Proud Owner For 20 Yrs - 1 of 208 Built & Sold In Canada! - 283 V8/350TH/NP208, 2" All Spring Lift, 32" Good Year MT/R's. 1972 GMC K2500 Custom LWB Fleetside - Proud Owner For 2 Yrs - 1 of 571 Built & Sold In Canada! - 350 V8/SM465/NP205, 4” Rough Country Lift, 33” Interco TSL Thornbirds 2007.5 GMC Sierra SLE 2500HD 4x4 - Proud Owner For 15 Yrs - 6.6L V8 Duramax Diesel/Allison 1000, 2" Lift, 33" Mickey Thompson MTZ's. 2008 Yamaha Raptor 700r - Proud Owner For 13 Yrs - ITP Mud Lites. 2015 John Deere 1025R - Proud Owner For 6 Yrs - 24HP Diesel/H120/54D/260B/SB1154.

03-02-2003, 01:26 PM	#11
toms68cst Registered User Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Bismarck, ND Posts: 4,281	Airplanes porpoise when they have no control changes. The airplane that the golfer Stewart? died in porpoised after the pilot died. I don't know what that has to do with gas mileage in an old Chevy truck???? __________________ Unrestored 68 C-10 CST. Original 327. 4-Speed CH465. 50k or so miles. TREASURER, Drum Brake Club.

03-02-2003, 02:23 PM	#12
Locutus Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Santa Fe, Texas Posts: 250	Could someone at least explain what porpoising is? or at least post the link that explains it. It has definatly caught our attention and I don't think anyone will judge 68 Sub for trying anything to save buck or 2 in this current economy. Mike

03-02-2003, 02:31 PM	#13
ChevLoRay Old Skool Club Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Benton, AR "The Heart of Arkansas" Posts: 10,880	Anybody ever own a Lawnboy? My old Lawnboy mower was very adept at "porpoising". The engine would speed up and slow down, and was supposed to speed up under load, or at least maintain a steady RPM. I have been behind people who would speed up and then slow down, especially on two-lane, winding roads, with no place to pass. It is nerve-wracking when you're not driving by the same music they're listening to! __________________ Member Nr. 2770 '96 GMC Sportside; 4.3/SLT - Daily driven....constantly needs washed. '69 C-10 SWB; 350/TH400 - in limbo The older I get, the better I was.

03-02-2003, 03:06 PM	#14
casey Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kelowna B.C. Canada Posts: 2,048	Oh I get it, it's just a joke, man you had us going



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03-02-2003, 03:33 PM	#16
MandarinSixSeven Seasonal Poster Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Kelowna BC Canada Posts: 896	Isnt it just when you accelerate, then put it in neutral and coast for as long as you can...some people think that it saves gas but I think its useless. One of my old friends father used to do it, and even as a kid i was embarrassed. But also, I'm still not sure what porpoising actually is, this is just a guess. __________________ 67 GMC Short Step 350/4-Speed/3.08 Posi Front/Rear Sway Bars Kelowna BC, Canada Member of DTPW

03-02-2003, 05:49 PM	#17
72CustomCamper Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Bremerton, WA Posts: 86	...72c10, you are correct. I have no idea what "porpoising" is and 68 Suburban won't tell us Guess we will have to wait for his results... __________________ '72 GMC C20, "2500 Super Custom", Custom Camper, New 454 '93 K2500 Suburban, Old 454 (157K)

03-02-2003, 06:01 PM	#18
Palf70Step State of Confusion! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Gulfport, MS USA Posts: 46,754	Man....off the board for a couple hours and look what I missed. Sheesh......Now to apply all the college education, homework, and research I have come up with WHAT?????????? Could thisd mean there has been too much time with the frog? __________________ Bill 1970 Chevy Custom/10 LWB Fleetside 2010 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner SR5 Double Cab - DD Member of Louisiana Classic Truck Club (LCTC) Bill's Gallery Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God!

03-02-2003, 06:55 PM	#19
68 Suburban Registered User Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: From Chicago, Live in Phoenix, AZ Posts: 6,802	No results yet, but looking at the gas gauge and the odometer, it looks like there could be some positive results....

03-02-2003, 09:23 PM	#20
special70gmc Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: long island, new york Posts: 1,333	come on your not supposed to drink the b*ng water 68 suburban __________________ 1986 c-10 swb 5/7 drop 20'' coys 1958 belair 2door

03-02-2003, 09:45 PM	#21
Dreaminator Dreaminator Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Broken Arrow, Oklahoma Posts: 156	I hope it works better on the highway than a 172 or 182 on touchdown. Generally it means coming in too fast on landing and bouncing. I remember my first landing. An old joke, but on roll after a hard touchdown and bounce the 22 year flight instructor asked me "Did we land or were we shot down?" __________________ The Dreaminator Daily Driver 1971 Cheyenne 10 Lwb Tilt/Tac 402 .030 TH400.

03-03-2003, 12:45 AM	#22
72CustomCamper Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Bremerton, WA Posts: 86	whoa...don't let this thread get buried! You can't get off that easy, 68 Suburban...few more days of polling. How's your mpg doin? __________________ '72 GMC C20, "2500 Super Custom", Custom Camper, New 454 '93 K2500 Suburban, Old 454 (157K)

03-03-2003, 08:15 AM	#23
72c10 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: burlington KY Posts: 175	if porpoising is speeding up and slowing down than I would rather spend the extra couple of bucks on gas so I dont get shot! because that is what I would like to do to the people infront of me that do that. (disclaimer: this is not a threat or insult to the silly non driving poeple out there that are stupid enough to do this, if this is what it really is) HE HE

03-03-2003, 08:21 AM	#24
72c10 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: burlington KY Posts: 175	"This is either the answer to today's gas prices or another way to exercise your suspension..." Whait a minute I thank I fugured what it is I just read the original post again and it sounds like its making your vehicle bounce up and down to get the momentum going. its kinda like a trick used by go-cart racers of bouncing up and down in your seat to get the go-cart to go alittle faster. Am I right?

03-03-2003, 10:29 AM	#25
Shane Account Suspended Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: over yonder Posts: 14,270	What the kart racers are doing when bouncing "up and down" is trying to manually make some forward momentum ... they arent actually bouncing "up & down" as much as they are trying to jerk the kart foward and lighten the load on the rear axle which in turn lets the clutch "spin-up" and will "lock" sooner. The sooner the clutch "locks" the quicker the bottom end acceleration is. Last edited by Shane; 03-03-2003 at 10:37 AM.

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