Mystang66

I am restoring a 66 Mustang to be a daily driver. The car was originally a 6 cylinder, but I am upgrading to all V8 suspenion and steering and disc brakes.

Now to my question, I have the option of rebuilding the original straight 6 or buying a 66 289 C code with a Holley 4 Barrel carb that only has 82,000 original miles. This is going to be a daily driver. What is the best option to go with?

If I go with the 289, how can I improve the gas mileage? Upgraded edual exhaust? Electronic ignition and upgraded distributor? Upgrade the air filter? Any other suggestions?

Either engine will be paired with a rebuilt C4 transmission. May go with an AOD if I can find one in good mechanical shape worth the price.

2+2GT

Sounds like you are wasting a lot of money. You can put the GT springs, shocks, sway bar, 4-turn steering, and even disc brakes, on the 6 cylinder car. You don't even have to replace the wheels if you don't want to. Aluminum 4-bolt wheels are available if you do.

The 6 cylinder engine gets about 10 mpg better than the V8.

JMD

IDK man, the selection of 4 lug wheels was absolutely dismal last time I was looking.....

rtintwo

I have never tried putting a 6 cyl on v-8 springs but i would think it would hold the front of the car a inch or two high. Or are you planning on keeping the 6 cyl springs and just do a 5 lug swap?

MonsterBilly

FYI i rebuilt my original 289 and put a 4bl carb with a t5 trans and i am getting about 25mpg. i have a brand new 2012 scion and it only gets 23mpg.

now i dont know much about the 6cl. but from what i have heard the best it seems to get is about 26 mpg if that.

I think that the way you drive really impacts what you will get. my range in the 289 is between 14-25.

seems to me that it is nearly the same. The only difference is that i have the power when i want it.

my car loves 5th gear and i can cruise at 75 mph at just under 1900rpm's

2+2GT

The weight difference between the 289 and 200 was so slight the 64-66 standard replacement springs are the same for both.

The 289 weighs about 460, while the 200 weighs about 385. Now if the 289 in question has an aluminum intake and headers, they are much closer.