machstang84

I'm looking at replacing my daily driver with a classic Mustang Mach 1 (69' - 73') or Camaro ('70 - 80') in the next year. To make it my new daily driver, I plan on modernizing the engine and transmission. If I go the Camaro route the choice is easy, go with an LS1 engine and T56 transmission. However, I don't know of a good choice if I go the Mach 1 route; my online searching has left me confused about Ford engines. So I ask you guys, what is a Ford engine and transmission that can compete with the LS1/T56 combo?

Specifically, the following:
Proven reliability
Great fuel economy (at least 25mpg)
Power
Easy to find, thus cheap
6-speed manual

Thanks for any help.

67 evil eleanor

I think you are looking at EFI with boost. Maybe something like these http://www.seanhylandmotorsport.com/..._engines.shtml. The EFI allows for good manners and the turbo or supercharger will give you the power when your foot is down. "Easy to find"....yes. "Cheap"..... no. One thing that I have learned "Ex po facto" is to build the chassis to handle the power. That should be the first consideration. Its great to have the power, but when you start breaking things or even worst, twisting the chassis and popping the windshield out, that will make for a bad day. Please share your findings when you decide.

1971mach1

You can get 25mpg from a classic Camaro with an LS1??

For the Mach, probably a 1992 5.0L with EFI would fit the easiest/cheepest and you might get close to 25mpg with tall gearing. The 69-70 Mach1 body is a little lighter weight but much more expensive to buy than the 71-73.

vineman

If you can find an LS1 with 25 mpg then you are the king of finds. That's a little higher than their average highway mpg at best.

The 5.0 EFI is your best bet at getting reliability, performance, and mpg but even then you won't get 25 mpg out of it. Unless you maybe throw it in a super light car but even then it's iffy. I'm putting a 5.0 in my 72 and I'll be lucky to get 20 mpg out of it with how heavy she is.

If you're lookin to get 25 mpg out of your DD then don't go the classic route. It can be done but it's expensive and hard to do.

vineman

Oh, and a chevy 327 vortec is an awesome engine for reliability and are in most scrap yards but don't really come cheap due to their high reliability. And you can make some great power from those engines. But as far as electronics go it would be a headache to transfer to a 70s camaro.

tempoffroad

that swap is easy as pie. i have done many and i send the whole computer and wiring to jims performance and for 500.00 he cuts and fixes the system so that it is one wire hook up. it really is that easy. just get one that is not drive by wire(you can make that work to)

Scott H.

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andrewmp6

You need to pick one power or mpg they never both happen.I'm laughing at that mod motor page http://www.summitracing.com/parts/WRL-102040/ same price and power but bolts in.I would do something like this http://www.jonkaaseracingengines.com...e-mustang.html

67mustang302

Turbo/super 5.0 on an aftermarket block.

vineman

remember with a turbo you can still retain the engine's mpg at low rpms but will quickly lose them higher up. I kinda prefer turbos for that very reason, and you don't have to have power at all times when you don't really want/need it.