35 MPG 1966 Chevelle
 

I'm new here and thought I would share my project. I know that a 35 MPG goal pales in comparison to some of your achievements, but I think it's a pretty aggressive goal for a old Chevy.
My project started out as a 283 V8/2 speed auto, 2 door Malibu. I weighed it with very little fuel in it prior to tear down and it weighed 3,172 lbs.
I bought an all aluminum 3.8L/220 CI V6 and a 6 speed double overdrive automatic transmission from a 2013 Camaro. The Camaro shows that it weighs approx 3,850 lbs. I never got to weigh the actual doner car.
My goal is to bring the finished project in at around 2,850 lbs. The new engine/trans is a lot lighter then the old iron V8, I have added lighter suspension and brakes, will use lighter weight seats, aluminum radiator, aluminum wheels, fiberglass hood, etc. I don't think the 2,850 lbs will be tough to reach.
The Camaro's EPA rating on the highway was 30 MPG. I believe that my car being approx. 1000 lbs lighter, lowered 2" from stock, a front air dam, and whatever other tweaks I can add, 35 MPG is a realistic goal.
What do you guys think?

Growing up we had a 4 door 1960 Chevy Impala, 2 speed powerglide and 283 v-8, that routinely achieved 20-21 mpg, with 4 people a trunk gull of suitcases at 60-65 mph. Good luck with your project

Sounds like a nice goal but your aero and frontal area are substantially worse. You might be able to out-mpg the Camaro in stop-and-go traffic but out on the highway I doubt it. Of course you can do some aero modding, subtle things like a behind-the-grille partial block, airdam, and whatnot that won't radically alter the appearance.

My '59 Bel Air with 283/'glide gets about 21 but that is at 55 mpg cruise, but more town driving than is usual for me (cruising).

On the highway the weight doesn't matter as much as the aero and I'd think the 2013 Camaro is more aerodynamic then a 66 Chevelle. Even though the 2013 Camaro is rated at 30MPG on the new highway test, the actual raw, uncorrected, old standard, highway rating on it is 41.9 MPG. So driven with a mild foot and kept under 60 mph the v6 2013 Camaro can break 40mpg.
The 3.6 with the 6 speed auto weighs about 550 pounds and an all iron smallblock and powerglide weigh about 750

assuming 3.6L from the 2013 camaro? or a different 3.8L, and the 2013 camaro trans?

While the weight would be great for performance, mpg wise, im thinking that lowering 2" from stock, and front air dam will have a greater benefit than lighter suspension, brakes, seats, aluminum radiator, aluminum wheels, and fiberglass hood. If mileage is of more importance, i would try to keep the lightweight goodies on a tighter budget, and spend more time and money on the aero tweeks. droolable belly pan maybe http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...ect-29902.html