Got registered on that forum and found some TM-TP mechanical notes worth downloading sometime. But no direct fuel consumption info, until I stumbled across this at
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitsubishi_Ma...E2.80.931991.29"The (1985-1990) Magna was front-wheel drive and was fitted with a single overhead cam (SOHC) transversely mounted 2.6 L Astron II four-cylinder engine. Initially the engines carburetted 2.6 with a EFI version launched in May 1989. Fuel consumption on average for all models was
11.0 L/100 km in city driving and
7.8 L/100 km in highway driving, as measured according to the applicable Australian Standard."
That confirms my original suspicion - around 11l/100km in the city. If I save even 4 litres per 100km (i.e. from 16.5 to 12.5), I'd save about $600 a year at $1.20/litre. At $1900 for a new short engine from Repco, it would be paid off in less than three years due to rising fuel prices. Not to mention more power, better aircon performance and probably adding 10 years to the life of the car. As I push 370,00-400,000 on the clock (currently its at 300,000), the option appears increasingly good.
Curioso