Toyota 4.3
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 9,272
Likes: 17
I'm sure all you rich guys that can wipe your butt with hundred dollar bills can afford these porches and new vettes, but us lil guys that actually work for a living and have wanted a corvette and just happened to be in the right place at the right time to get a deal; doing what they can with what they got.... i came here for help, ideals and research. I don't think I could get a prius for 1200 
the 4.3 chevy might be the one
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: Az
You don't typically buy a C3 for its fuel economy. Rather than insult (agreed that's only my silly opinion) the legacy of the only Amercian sports car with a Japanese engine, why not do an LS swap that will give you horsepower and economy? You can easily run 400hp and still get around 28mpg. On top of everything else, I'd bet the LS swap would be much more cost effective.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: Az
yea like I said I'm just hunting for ideals.. plus a topic like this lets me know who would actually help me and who would mach me. I really dont know what im going to do. I'll do some more reading and get some ideals, I'll let you know as the progress continues..
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,714
Likes: 42
From: Austin Texas
I think people are trying to help. Thing is with a toyta motor swap you will probably be the first and only guy to do it . You won't find any specific help because you are going to need to cut and weld new motor mounts, transmission mount, driveshaft and all kinds of one of a kind fabrication.
You would be making the plans for this. We are trying to nudge you in directions that we would be able to help you with.
You would be making the plans for this. We are trying to nudge you in directions that we would be able to help you with.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 8,721
Likes: 108
From: Canada
There are a few threads on ls install, and at some point you could add a 5 sp for great performance, reliability and relative fuel economy. There would be a lot of great advice to help you along from the forum if you went this route as we'll. Whatever route you decide to go, good luck and post plenty of pics.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 896
Likes: 7
Take a look at the popular hotrodding article on turbos. The do a junk yard turbo build of an LS 5.3 truck engine. They do the whole thing for $1200 or so. Just a thought. They were going for big HP but you could go for mpg and have a nice motor more in line with tradition. Just my two cents!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,427
Likes: 1,560
From: mount holly NC
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Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,152
Likes: 890
From: South Western Ontario
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,231
Likes: 65
From: Seattle WA
St. Jude Donor '14
You'd be best off just "supertuning" the existing small block than doing any kind of oddball swap...which is never going to break even with the conversion cost (assuming you can ever get it to run) regardless of how much better fuel economy you'll get. Same with an LS swap - it's a great swap...but not cheap by the time all aspects are addressed.
Small cam, spread-bore vacuum-secondary carb, headers and a rock-solid tune would get you into the high teens/low twenties if you drove it like a grandma.
No offense to anyone's grandma.
You could do a trans/gear swap along with it...but again, you're spending fair amounts of money trying to make the 'Vette into something it's not.
Small cam, spread-bore vacuum-secondary carb, headers and a rock-solid tune would get you into the high teens/low twenties if you drove it like a grandma.
No offense to anyone's grandma.
You could do a trans/gear swap along with it...but again, you're spending fair amounts of money trying to make the 'Vette into something it's not.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 406
Likes: 1
From: Maroochydore QLD
Yes it can, try this, "My Corvette has cr*p gas mileage". But when I drove it to work this morning I couldnt stop smiling so I just dont care.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,196
Likes: 47
From: Scarborough Maine Fredericksburg VA
If your goal is really to save money then this idea only works if you drive a lot of miles. Take a few minutes and do the math - if you drive 10 k miles a year at 15 mpg you are using 666 gallons of fuel. At $3.50 a gallon that's $2333. By increasing to 25 mpg you use 400 gallons that cost $1400 saving $933. By the time you did all the work to change the engine it would be ar least $2500 - $3500 or a 3 year plus return on your money. That's assuming you get a 10 mpg increase and I doubt you will. You would be better off taking that few thousand dollars and buying an older fuel efficient car and only drive the Vette for fun.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 734
Likes: 51
From: ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS NJ
I'm sure all you rich guys that can wipe your butt with hundred dollar bills can afford these porches and new vettes, but us lil guys that actually work for a living and have wanted a corvette and just happened to be in the right place at the right time to get a deal; doing what they can with what they got.... i came here for help, ideals and research. I don't think I could get a prius for 1200
Your plan is way out in left field so to speak, and no knocks against you.
If I went to a Prius web site and said I wanted to put a Chevy 350 SB in it what sort of reaction do you think I would get?
You want help, ideas? O/k, my and most here would tell you a mild small block with a good ignition system and a Q-Jet carb, along with something like a 3.08 rear will get you very decent mileage. If you bought a Corvette because you wanted a Vette and the experience, putting in a Toyota 6 cyl. (and an expensive project) would defeat the idea of having a Corvette.
I hope this helps you.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,652
Likes: 49
From: Bridgewater nj
Chevy 4.3 would be the easiest!
it has the same mounts, accessory brackets and you'll have your choice of intakes. 4bbl, 2bbl or fuel injection. Add that to an od trans and you'll have almost 30mpg!!!
it has the same mounts, accessory brackets and you'll have your choice of intakes. 4bbl, 2bbl or fuel injection. Add that to an od trans and you'll have almost 30mpg!!!
Last edited by hugie82; Jul 9, 2012 at 08:41 AM.