"Eco-El-Camino"

[Vekke]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZdPkrghUZM

[Diesel_Dave]

Originally Posted by OziDarklighter

I like the idea of taking a stock El Camino and changing out minor parts to increase fuel economy, but I'm still not sure that 30+ is achievable. Thoughts??

Well, I get 30+ in my truck, which is much heavier and has much worse aero (Cd*A) than an El Camino, so it's definitely achievable--it's just a question of difficulty.

Originally Posted by OziDarklighter

Isn't it a bit counter-intuitive that you'd want to put in a heavier engine (700+ pounds) in order to achieve a more efficient result though?

Not necesarily. The weight difference between engines would only be ~100-200 lbs. That's not really a big difference--equivalent to having somebody in the passenger seat. Heck, my 35 gal fuel tank weighs ~250 lbs. Curb weight for that El Camino is probably about 3,500 lbs, so an additional 200 pounds is only a 6% increase in total weight. That will increase the rolling resistance by 6%, resulting in a fuel economy penalty of something less than 6%. So if the new, 200 lb heavier engine is >6% more fuel efficient, then you're gauranteed a net positive.

[silverinsight2]

My solution:

[Big Dave]

Well, if the weight offends you, a Benz OW617 engine would weigh about the same as your small-block and give you good mileage and outstanding durability.

30 MPG would be a snap for it. And no cantankerous EPA-limited electronics.

BUT...the acceleration would be terrible, even by eco-modder standards and getting a manual transmission to fit probably involves a trip to Germany.

Maybe, it you never load it much a VW TDI engine might work.

[Neen]

Tell us what year El Camino are you looking at and we will be able to help you out a lot better.

El Caminos get much better than 12mpg on the upper end depending on which year/engine combo.

[some_other_dave]

How about a little four-banger with a turbo?

-soD

[Sporty Modder]

Here you go... Chevrolet El Camino - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
IRCC the el Camino weighed 4000 lbs. It also had a factory 3.3 l engine with 95 hp.
A Nissan Ka 24{2.4l 4cyl) had 130 hp sohc and 150 hp dohc. Also came in rwd chassis 240sx.

[NachtRitter]

A stock VW TDI has ~90 hp and can be (relatively) easily be bumped up another 30 or more hp... so seems like a good match power-wise. Of course, it wouldn't be a straightforward swap (FWD to RWD, electronics, etc) but there are quite a few examples on the interwebs (Easy Jeep VW TDI Diesel Swap | Editorials Blog & Discussion at Jp Magazine (caution, ads!), 85 4runner VW 1.9 AFN M-TDI swap - YotaTech Forums, TDI Conversions - TDIClub Forums)

[smokey442]

2.5L GM gasoline engine used in a variety of vehicles in the 80's. Easy swap bell housing, mounts, wiring make it doable with minimal custom fabrication. Engine can be modified to give decent performance and fuel economy.

[pete c]

First off, Ecomino has a much nicer sound to it.

From the OP's post, I gather he doesn't have a ton of money to blow at this time and he needs reliable transpotation that gets decent mileage.

Personally, I don't really "get" the El Camino, but, to each his own.

The trouble is that one of these things that is in good enough shape to drive every day is likely to cost more.

I think your best bet at this time is to find a decent running Ranger/S10 4 cylinder 5 speed. Such vehicles can get into the 30s with a little hypermiling/mods.

And start saving your pennies.

Some day, you'll have the coin to buy a nice old El Camino. I would suggest you get one from the 60s, early 70s, as they are much cooler, IMO. Of course, it would have to have a 396 4 bbl.

So much for eco!