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Old 04-11-2012, 03:53 PM   #11 (permalink)
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After looking at some TDI swaps, I don't think I'll be going that route. It looks like a VERY difficult swap, and the mpg is comparable to the MB anyways (at least in the some of the swaps I looked at). This could be something I can research and do down the road (maybe), but for now I want something a little easier. Those Detroits are LOUD. I like the mpg they get, but it's not practical for a car that is driven daily and usually with kids. Right now I'm still looking for more gas options. I like to see what others have done. That way I won't be disappointed with mpg figures after the swap is said and done.

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Old 04-12-2012, 02:47 AM   #12 (permalink)
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MALIBU MOD - '07 chevy malibu 2LT
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GM's 3.5 v6 is a very reliable motor, I have had it in a 88 corsica, and now my 07 malibu, easy to work on and if you can find one with a Manuel trans it would ne even better on gas. You could find one cheap and should be able to squeeze some decent mpgs
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Old 04-12-2012, 05:41 AM   #13 (permalink)
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MALIBU MOD - '07 chevy malibu 2LT
90 day: 29.39 mpg (US)

average avao - '09 chevy avao LT
90 day: 32.68 mpg (US)
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Ps. I know you said you don't want a bunch of weight reduction, another option is swapping old parts with newer lightweight parts, for every 100 lbs loss you can gain 1-2% efficacy. My malibu weighs 3297 lbs and I'm averaging 29 mpg with the 3.5 v6 auto. You might be able to get a rough estimate if you can figure out your chassis weight and the motor and trans weight. Of course there will be quit a bit of variation with the aerodynamic properties of your 50s Chevy.

I love your idea of old and new, and am excited to see how it turns out, no matter what you decide
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Old 04-12-2012, 05:50 AM   #14 (permalink)
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MALIBU MOD - '07 chevy malibu 2LT
90 day: 29.39 mpg (US)

average avao - '09 chevy avao LT
90 day: 32.68 mpg (US)
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Ps. I know you said you don't want a bunch of weight reduction, another option is swapping old parts with newer lightweight parts, for every 100 lbs loss you can gain 1-2% efficacy. My malibu weighs 3297 lbs and I'm averaging 29 mpg with the 3.5 v6 auto. You might be able to get a rough estimate if you can figure out your chassis weight and the motor and trans weight. Of course there will be quit a bit of variation with the aerodynamic properties of your 50s Chevy.

I love your idea of old and new, and am excited to see how it turns out, no matter what you decide
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Old 04-12-2012, 02:47 PM   #15 (permalink)
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I'll have to look into the 3.5 v6. I was liking the idea of the Atlas engines (any one of them), and they seem to have decent MPG and great power. I think with a little tuning and a 5 speed, they should do pretty well in the '50. I haven't weighed the car yet, but from the research I've done, these cars weighed about 3300 lbs. It should get a little lighter when switching from the stovebolt engine/trans/torque tube setup to a modern driveline. That and maybe an aluminum driveshaft, lighter wheels with skinny LRR tires, and an aluminum radiator. This car won't have power windows or AC or anything. I want the interior to be close to stock except maybe a recover in a more durable vinyl (tuck n roll).
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Old 06-28-2012, 05:05 PM   #16 (permalink)
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Any progress?

I had a thread going similar to this last fall. I opted to start with the old 235 and am in the throws of installing a Nova rear-end. I picked up a couple of 50's 3spd+OD transmissions so I can keep the 3 OTT shifter. I plan my freeway rpm's to be at 2,000. This will give me flexibility in case I want a different engine/trans later on.

The GM 8.5" diff's can have 2.24, 2.56, 2.73, 3.08, 3.42, 3.73 or 4.10/4.11:1 ratios; I currently have a 2.24, 2.56 & 2.73 but I might have to jump up to a 3.42. If you have questions on how to get a later rear-end into your Chev. let me know; also jump over to CT, they know.
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Old 06-28-2012, 06:12 PM   #17 (permalink)
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if you are building one up ya can do it anyway you wanna
build me one .

little bitty engine . lots of gears
5 speed main box and a 2 0r 3 speed axle.. an electric would be OK but id rather have a manual auxiliary.

i doubt one can find a 3 speed aux. small and light enough , but
they have some electric 2 -speed that are light weight , or used too.

it might not accelerate fast but think of the fun shifting 15 forward gears ,

keep that little power plant wound up to peak torque with WOT and row your way to the next stoplight with the gear lever
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Old 06-28-2012, 07:33 PM   #18 (permalink)
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I would use the GM 4 cylinder 3.0 (lots of them in marine applications) Iron Duke engine with a 5 speed and decent rear end gearing, say around 3 to 1 with a .75-80 OD 5th.

I put a 73 Nissan Z car engine in a 720 Pickup frame, with a 49 Plymouth businessmans coupe body, sectioned and channeled, with a 4 speed and it weighed 2350 when I fininshed, about 3200 stock.

regards
Mech
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Old 06-28-2012, 09:58 PM   #19 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MGB=MPG View Post
if you are building one up ya can do it anyway you wanna
build me one .

little bitty engine . lots of gears
5 speed main box and a 2 0r 3 speed axle.. an electric would be OK but id rather have a manual auxiliary.

i doubt one can find a 3 speed aux. small and light enough , but
they have some electric 2 -speed that are light weight , or used too.

it might not accelerate fast but think of the fun shifting 15 forward gears ,

keep that little power plant wound up to peak torque with WOT and row your way to the next stoplight with the gear lever
Excess gears = higher drivetrain losses.
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Old 06-28-2012, 10:23 PM   #20 (permalink)
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I like the 3.5v6 I have in the Impala, but only way it would work would do FWD conversion. I'm a KISS guy, find a crashed Camero (just realized my son's name is Camero plus a N on the end) or Firebird V6 5 spd and swap that in, or S-10 4 cy and 5 spd would be easy if that's enough power.

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