Hi guys,

I've always wanted an el camino for years and I finally think I'm ready to buy one. I like the 64,65 years. I've been looking seriously at el caminos for a few months now and found one that I think I like!!! I am wondering what your opinions about the setup are. I plan on using the elky on the weekends to throw some surfboards in the back and go to the beach and odds and ends transporting things, not my main mode of transport maybe 3000 miles a year. I want a fun car that has some power but can get over 10-12MPG. The one I found has a built 383/T350, 750 carb with posi 4.11 gears in the back. I figure at 60mph I'll be around 3000 rpms. Also the previous owner installed a full fiberglass front end and cut the springs in the front one coil. Are there any disadvantages to this? Does anbody have a similiar setup or experience? How realistic is the MPG I'm hoping for when just cruising? Is a 383 reliable and can a T350 holdup to 450hp? I appreciate the time reading this and thanks for the help.

:beer:
Peter

4.11s are pretty serious for the street. you'll prolly get about 13-14 mpgs... maybe a little better, kinda depeds on the engine build specs.

a th350 can hold 450hp if it's built, but if it's stock, you're pushing it big time.

the small block chevy engines are great for reliability in stock form. but since you have a 383, there's probably a few mods that may have an adverse effect on reliablilty... again, it depends on the build. if you have no choke, and a high rise intake, cold starting may be a little difficult. but it shouldn't be too bad.

I'm skeptical that a combo like that will get more than 10mpg. A lot depends on your driving habits though.

As for the springs being cut, that does lower the car but may have the suspension travel bottoming out on bumps. The preferred method is lowering springs and/or drop spindles.

I have seen a couple guys manage around 15mpg with a similar setup but with a 700r4 overdrive transmission. :cool:
If you went to say a 3.42 rear gear and some street tuning or detuning it for the street it would make a notable difference even with the TH350. :cool:

I drive my beast every and half the time I drive it hard its my only car, If I was concerned about gas or efficiency I would have not bought it. I probably clock (my odomiter don't work) 150+ miles a week. I drive it because I love my elky and so does every one else I cant get that satisfaction from a honda or a gas saveing efficient car. And if I was only going to drive it 3k miles a year it best have a 572 in it. You might find peace of mind in a little toyota pick up. If you end up geting it put a 700r4 in it, I believe the th350 has a 1 to 1 ratio for every turn your motor does the tranny does one which means its not good for mpg the 700r4 does one revolution for every 1/4 revolution your motor does in OD. At 85 mph your RPM's should be around 2500 I can't wait to get mines.

I checked out the elky and it looks like it's a beast, here's some more info. 10.5:1, holley 750 double pump and pretty wild cam. I'm now thinking this is going to get less than 5MPG. Anybody run a similiar setup...What's your MPG? I'm not to worried about the MPGs but it'd be nice if I didn't have to drop $30 everytime I take it to the store. If I get the elky I'll put 28" tires in the back which should lower the rpm a bit and maybe eventually a 700r4. One thing I noticed is that the T350 didn't shift as hard as I expected. I could feel second but barely feel third. Is this normal? The stall is at 3000.

Thanks for the input,
Peter

Well my first thoughts are with a fiberglass front end and a somewhat wild motor it would be more suited to the track and not all that fun to drive on the street. Gas milage would probably be pretty bad, especiall if you do any freeway driving. Which would also make me ask how long can it sit in traffic before it overheats?

sounds more like a 500 rwhp racecar to me..