35 MPG 1966 Chevelle

[2000neon]

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

Smokey's best trick was scaling the whole car down 20%.

Nope, common myth. The car was heavily modified but not scaled down at all. The car would have to be over a foot shorter to meet that scale.. It was lowered, roof edge aero mod spoiler, full belly pan with exhaust tunnels, diffuser. The main thing was that he relocated the body rearward on the frame to improve the weight distribution and rebuilt the wheel wells accordingly. However, it was NOT scaled down.

[67-ls1]

Back from the dead....
Life got in the way and this project was stalled but I'm now getting back in to it.
The engine and trans are in and running. I just need an exhaust system and the one I was sent doesn't fit well at all. And the interior is still gutted except for the driver seat.
I would hope to start driving it in the next few weeks and will report back preliminary results on mpg.
Zero aero mods yet. I'll also drive to scales and see how I did with weight.

[DSMHondaGuy]

Cool as hell project! In for results!

[elhigh]

Hot damn! I thought we had seen the last of this project. I'm tickled to see it's still in the works.

[Phoenix'97]

Originally Posted by 67-ls1

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?

More power to you! You are not alone as I too am exploring ways to increase fuel efficiency and fuel economy out of my muscle car. There are plenty of people on this site who can give you incredible advice, suggestions, and awesome ideas!

[EfficiencyLover]

67-ls1 I've been wondering how your project has been progressing. I, like Phoenix'97 and I'm sure others, am working (sporadically) on an older muscle car with a goal of 25 mpg highway. It hasn't progressed to the point that it's worth sharing on here yet, but a lot of thinking, research and planning has been done. It seems like the longer I wait, the better it gets in respect to what aftermarket manufacturers have developed to solve problems. So, I wish you well on this project and hope you achieve your goals.

[67-ls1]

She’s a runner!!
I’ve been driving it for awhile now. Very happy with the way it turned out. 3,260 lbs with a full 20 gallon tank so I missed getting under 3k.
I’m working on fitting an air dam to the front now. The pic shows it held in place with spring clamps so I can fit it better.

[EfficiencyLover]

That is good to hear, 67-ls1! Your air dam looks like it will integrate well with the looks of the car, too. Great job!

[67-ls1]

I finished the airdam and it came out pretty good.
I built some plates behind the bumper to mount it to. So it meets the bumper in the middle but fades back going to the sides to where the curved end lights up with the wheel well openings.
It’s about as low as I could get it to the ground mainly because of my driveway.

[EfficiencyLover]

I think that may be just low enough to clean up the air which needs to be, without becoming a speed bump and trash plow. Looks good and integrates pretty cleanly. What did you use to fabricate it?