Eco car build

[fclaridge]

Hi all, I am a hotrod type of guy. I like cool cars and yet I commute 110 miles everyday. My daily driver is a 92 Civic Vx so I do get some good mpg for it. What I would like to do, and would like some feedback or maybe some pointers on where I can go for mpg calculators, is build a 1926 or 1927 Ford Model T Tudor. It is light weight and very simple. For the powerplant I want to mount a 1.6L Ford Fiesta motor inline, attach a Ford AOD transmission to it and out back put in a light weight aluminum axle with 3.25 gears. I know the car isn't going to be aerodynamic at all, but with that kind of running gear I should achieve some moderately good mpgs. I'd like to hear some thoughts on this and any suggestions on where I could find a calculator to see how it would perform.

Thanks.

Fred

[MetroMPG]

I would want to estimate the aerodynamic costs before doing anything else:

Aerodynamic & rolling resistance, power & MPG calculator - EcoModder.com

[Frank Lee]

You guys already pointed out the gorilla in the room- aero. Another one is putting such an enormous transmission behind such a relatively small engine. Couple that with the hypoid gears in the axle and I think it'd be quite the lossy drivetrain vs FWD.

And for gawd's sake, isn't there a way to be closer to work? Two hours in the car every day equals BLEAH.

[darcane]

Maybe a different option: get a small diesel (Kubota or Perkins) and adapt to a manual tranny. Industrial motors don't have all the plastic bits that modern car engines have and will visually fit better with the antique car. A lightweight car would still allow for brisk acceleration with the relatively low power output. Aero will still be awful, but the inherent efficiency of the diesel may help make up for it.

Want to improve aero? Maybe look at the Modified Roadster classes from land speed racing (/FMR /GMR /BFMR /BGMR) for ideas.

[renault_megane_dci]

Most of the fun of the build would be aero vintage looking in my opinion ...

Would also make for a real eye catcher in hot rods world where it definitely is not that common.

[redneck]

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What I would like to do, and would like some feedback or maybe some pointers on where I can go for mpg calculators, is build a 1926 or 1927 Ford Model T

Something like this...???

Aero mods - 1930's style - MetroMPG.com







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[dirtydave]

Yeah bro build it like that ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

[fclaridge]

That's all great info guys. Will take it in consideration.

[redneck]

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Found another one...





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[MetroMPG]

Where'd you find that one?!