65 coupe MPG swap
04-08-2013, 07:15 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Indiana
Posts: 31
65 coupe MPG swap
Just brought home a new pony for my barn. Came accross a 65 coupe 200 I6 3spd manual. This is going to be a daily driver. The I6 is no good and plan on swapping it out. What would be a good swap that gets good mpg?
04-08-2013, 07:29 PM
#2
4th Gear Member
Join Date: May 2009
Location: DFW, TX
Posts: 1,925
Depends on what you want really. Personally, I would go with an LSx based motor for power and MPG. I could see it getting close to 30mpg with how light the 65 is. I guess a carbbed 302 with a t-5 might see low 20's.
04-09-2013, 11:46 AM
#4
2nd Gear Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location:
Posts: 353
its a chevrolet motor, between 5.3l to 5.7. if you don't care about having that aluminum block, there are literally hundreds of thousands of very similar iron block versions in junkyards around the country for very cheap.
if you want a cool swap, how about replace it with another I6? how about a cool BMW m20 stroker? If you get the one that doesnt have the 5200rpm redline, it'll absolutely scream and get decent mpgs.
Just get ready for all the flak if you swap outside the company. I really could care less, engine is an engine each has its own ups and downs.
but the real question is: are you prepared for a swap around $3k just to get a little gas saving? it'll take years to make up the cost just to break even.
if you want a cool swap, how about replace it with another I6? how about a cool BMW m20 stroker? If you get the one that doesnt have the 5200rpm redline, it'll absolutely scream and get decent mpgs.
Just get ready for all the flak if you swap outside the company. I really could care less, engine is an engine each has its own ups and downs.
but the real question is: are you prepared for a swap around $3k just to get a little gas saving? it'll take years to make up the cost just to break even.
Last edited by conor1148; 04-09-2013 at 11:48 AM.
04-10-2013, 04:09 PM
#6
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Washington
Posts: 29
There is a '64-'66 that I see at my local car shows with a 2.3 turbo/5-speed from an SVO. He calls it a GT140T. I forget what mileage he said he got, but I remember it being reasonably high.
It might be an option worth looking at.
-Mike
It might be an option worth looking at.
-Mike
04-14-2013, 12:39 AM
#9
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Indiana
Posts: 31
04-14-2013, 12:59 AM
#10
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Washington
Posts: 8
Stick to old school
If you go with a small block V-8 289 or 302, 351w 2 barrel, upgrade distributor, advance 2 deg. , 2.5inch exhaust,C-4 or FMX , or if you have a manual 4 or 5 speed. I have had 30MPG on 289s and 26.8 on 351W at 70MPH both with 3 speed automatic trans.