Sold my 1999 Oldsmobile Alero for $1350. Found a 1992 Chevrolet Caprice station wagon for $1k. Has the 2.73 Rear gears, 700R4 transmission and a 305 gas V8.
Like the Caprice wagons, they don't have the additional glass top, it's smooth. The luggage rack is coming off. Last owner was smart and moved the sliders to the rear, but left on. He claims 24 mpg on the highway. Kind of a redneck ecomodder himself. He had a small boxy Ford ranger truck with a diesel engine in it. He had just purchased a 1992 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser to replace the wagon he was selling. Owner put on a custom cruiser grill on this caprice wagon. Like it 'cause it has something of a grill block there instead of open.
Have a 6.2 Diesel engine from a 1982 Chevy truck in the garage. Know the diesel engine will get me much better fuel mileage. I'm hoping for 30 mpg + highway. Believe this is achievable. Because, the rear axle ratio combined with a 700R4 overdrive trans will allow for low RPM cruising yet still have ample torque to maintain 65-70 mph on the interstate. Think this is achievable? Have until summer to complete this project, using it for our travel car.
Hope to have no more than $2k in it by the time it's done. Will need to wire in a push button relay switch for the glow plugs, route oil cooler lines, get new exhaust put on for the diesel, mount a fuel filter and inline pump. Shouldn't be to hard of a swap.
VT247
