[Big Dave]

svt98t posted:
"I was thinking the other evening, what about the new 3.5 EcoBoost motor?"

Big Dave says;
I have thought of chucking my Impala (20 MPG but a joy to drive) for a Panther and a Ecoboost 3.5 and a T-56 stick. Ecoboosts have been out long enough a few should be showing up in junk yards. Maybe even crate motors. Direct injection gets around the rigidity of fuel mixture. The ecoboost is designed for low end torque so should be able to easily push a huge overdrive in a Panther. I figured that since you already had a good engine in hand, an Ecoboost wouldn't be that much of an improvement.

Panthers ain't light but compared to a loaded pickup, they'll lightweights.

Not everyone can stuff themselves into a clown car. Ask Aerohead - I don't fit in a little car. Getting good MPG from a bigger vehicle is a very worthwhile project.