my dad and I own a 1980 el camino with the stock 3.8l 229 v6.

it leaks worse than a screen door, does 0-60 in 3 exits, gets about 9mpg and stops on a runway.

all this and we want to fix it up. wonder why???

we want to go to a fuel injected ( economy and easier for tubo later) but for reasons of fuel economy we are thinking of staying with a v6.

if you have some specs or a good place to get them please let me know. we may consider a v8 if the fuel economy is good. we also need an engine/tranny combo that has a good availability of aftermarket parts.

I am an import nut but I also realize there is nothing like a sweet hot rod. I am hopeing to use my knowledge of imports with the fuel injected, ecu modifying, turbo setups to get power when wanted and keep this thing a sleeper.

since I plan on going for a turbo setup later I don't need big hp numbers now just something that is a good base to start from ( since forced induction is exponentially based on the na hp rating ) and reliable.

I don't expect to get 30mpg like I would from an import and it would be a sin to put an s2000 (honda) engine into this american classic so I am hopeing for more around 20mpg with about 160hp-200hp to start ( or more if the setup is right)

any help would be appreciated.

 

Just hit Ebay for an LT1 and tranny combo. It will have the fuel injection, ECU and aftermarket you are looking for. The A4 or M6 will give you decent fuel economy as well. As you know the aftermarket is HUGE for the SBC so you should have few problems finding any parts you will need.

 

An L98 is like a fat kid with asthma.

 

Untill you throw in a cam, change the lower intake and runners and port the heads it is. Its a good solid bottom end to start with and it fills the EFI end of his requirement.

 

I'm new to this area of domestics so at the risk of sounding dumb what is optispark? also the wiring doesn't seem to be too hard it's taking carb with no ecu to an ecu on mpfi, the hardest part i can see is wiring the idiot lights but if the sensors give the same voltage then it seems i would just lay the ecu harness on top of the few wires that are already there.

also what kind of boost can be run on these engines with a stock bottom end ( safely ).

also what is reccommended for a rear end since the stock one will probably die with any amount of hp over about 200hp?

 

a 373 would be good

I had a stock 273 in my 450 horse camaro and it handled well all the way until I blew the engine!!!

but it didnt help me on the strip none!!!