35 MPG 1966 Chevelle

[spacemanspif]

Depending on the look you are going for, you should be able to step up to a 28" tall tire without issue. I love the look of the 255-60-15s on my Monte Carlo. Not sure you want to go that wide but the height is good if you can get it in a more narrow tire.

The G-body cars have an aftermarket air dam that isn't ugly or obscene, you might be able to adapt one to your A-body, but chances are that the a-bodies have a better aftermarket than the Gs.

[67-ls1]

Thanks for the tip about the G-body front spoiler. I'll check it out.

[67-ls1]

Pics..

[aerohead]

*From a recent article from Michelin,it looks like if the Camaro actually got 30-mpg HWY,then the 1,000-lb weight drop would fetch 32.58 mpg.
*The Camaro is around Cd 0.39? compared to around Cd 0.45 for the Chevelle.
*Don't know about the frontal area difference.
*You're doing disc brakes and that's gonna hurt a bit compared to the original drums.
*A hidden grille-block could help (ala 'Crisis Fighter Pinto ).
*Electric cooling fan would shave some parasitic loss.
*Same for airdam.
*Lowering won't affect Cd much but it would cut frontal area a smidgeon.
*LRR tires wouldn't hurt if you could live with their 'look.'
*Maybe a modest rear spoiler.
*Under body smoothing wouldn't add much weight,you'd never see it.
I think you've got a shot at it,if the Camaro powertrain lives up to its BSFC promise.

[67-ls1]

I put the body back on temporarily to check transmission clearance. There was none.
I had to cut the transmission tunnel out.
I also put the front clip back to take some measurements for the radiator/electric fans.

[spacemanspif]

That trans is huge! I'd like to see a pic of it next to an Allison lol. Looks like you'll be cutting out a lot of floor, hopefully you can still use the factory seats and console once all the clearancing is complete.

[67-ls1]

Here is the hole I cut. I will need to cut further back to make clearance for the driveshaft.
The stock console won't work but the stock buckets should still fit.

[IMG][/IMG]

[IMG][/IMG]

[JQmile]

I think that most people could agree that no matter what mileage your ride gets when it's done, it'll be sweet. I know of an LS-powered 69 Camaro with a 6spd that got 27mpg so I'd say 30-35 is definitely possible. I do know from driving bricks, that speed kills (mpg that is). My 89 would only get about 19mpg at 75mph, but 24-26mpg at 60mph.

Edit: a grille block should help a lot, at least it did on my other Dodges. Picked up a solid 2mpg with one.

[JQmile]

Originally Posted by aerohead

I think you've got a shot at it,if the Camaro powertrain lives up to its BSFC promise.

I had this type of experience with my old Chevette. The aero was horrible, but since the diesel engine was so efficient, I could get 40-55mpg depending on driving style and traffic. The cd was so bad that I couldn't even do pulse and glide driving, as soon as I let off the accelerator, the car felt like you threw an anchor out.

[Hersbird]

A 2013 Camaro 3.6 automatic actually gets 37.4 mpg on the old highway test before applying correction factors as nobody drives like that. Still that means that it gets even higher then 37.4 mpg steady state highway at 55mph.