if I had a 70s vette and maximum mileage was my goal...

[grumpyvette]

I was asked "WHAT engine combo would you build if you were going to use a CARB EQUIPED SBC to gain max mileage at a reasonable price in a mid 1970s corvette?"

IF MILEAGE ALONE WAS MY MAIN GOAL,Id probably build a 327-350 sbc ,Id probably use vortec heads and about 10:1 cpr
its not that difficult to remove the oil pan, replace the gasket with a new one piece synthetic one and cure that leak,
most guys can do that in a single afternoon with the car up on 4 12 ton jack stands rather easily.
be aware that the crank counter weights rotated to the correct location makes removing the oil pan a bit easier.
it might be a great opportunity to swap to a higher capacity baffled oil pan.
obviously youll want to carefully research the correct oil pan for your engine and chassis before purchasing one

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/ctr-15-240/overview/make/chevrolet/model/corvette
7" deep

https://www.cantonracingproducts.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=11-102
6.5" deep


https://www.carid.com/moroso/oil-pa...MIraOQn-602QIVBJ7ACh2mTwt4EAQYAyABEgJZWfD_BwE

7" deep

theres lots of 8" and 8.25" deep corvette oil pans but they don,t last too long with speed bumps and raised manhole cover rims


https://www.summitracing.com/parts/...MIytnIx-y02QIVHrjACh35mQ-OEAQYASABEgJnZvD_BwE

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...etic-oil-cause-leaky-gaskets.2725/#post-13817

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/under-car-safety.26/page-4#post-69999

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...-pan-gasket-still-small-leak.3084/#post-11971

ID install full length 1.5/8" headers and a low restriction exhaust,


Recommended cam

something like a 114122 crane with 1.6:1 roller rockers

http://www.jegs.com/i/Crane+Cams/271/114122/10002/-1


Recommended gear ratios

2.87:1-3.07:1

Recommeded transmission

the TKO 500 ...THATS IMPORTANT, the .64:1 OD helps IMMENSLY

http://www.5speedtransmissions.com/tr-3550.html

Recommended carburator

500 cfm edelbrock, edelbrock dual; plane intake like vortec performer

Edelbrock 7516


Id install an 7-8qt baffled oil pan but only use 6-7 qts of mobile synthetic oil

http://www.moroso.com/catalog/categoryd ... code=11330

http://www.streetortrack.com/Canton-Oil ... 17149.html



Most cost effective ways to lose weight

that will take pages, but basically replace anything thats not necessary,swap to lighter seats, remove the full size spare tire if you have one, lighter aluminum radiator, add clutch fan,aluminum water pump, drive at under 3000rpm, swap to narrow tires as tall as you can easily fit into the car and keep the air pressure up at least to 32 psi
add an under car belly pan to aid reduction in drag, stay under 60 mph most of the time, plan your routes for max highway driving

AND ID use ALL synthetic lubricants in the trans,and rear differential and the engine

ID use an MSD ignition like the

http://www.msdignition.com/product.aspx?id=5813

does that help, BTW IT SURE WON,T HAVE EXCITING PERFORMANCE, and you won,t be passing people in a blinding blur of speed, but if its driven with the idea of getting max mileage and the rpms are kept under 3000rpm most of the time, it should easily have much better than average mileage for a corvette with a carb engine

 

[grumpyvette]

new Weiand 8121

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/WND-8121/

vortec heads
http://www.jegs.com/i/GM+Performance/80 ... 0/10002/-1

crane 114122
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/CRN-114122/

450 cfm holley

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/HLY-0-9776/

roller rockers
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-G6935-16/

the dual plane intakes slightly larger runners and has a divided plenum volume and as long as you keep the rpm level below about 5500rpm you should see some increased torque from the better flow , and faster air speed in the runners thats less restricted, but keep in mind this combos is not designed for max power, its designed to maximize torque in the 2000-5500rpm band where the cam and heads are also designed to work, its going to be noticeably restrictive above about 5500rpm, but should be responsive in the intended rpm band.
results predicted by DD2000 might not look overly impressive but this is noticeably better than the 350ft lbs and 260hp most base crate 350 engines produce
http://www.jegs.com/i/GM+Performance/80 ... 3/10002/-1

yes IM well aware everyone wants just a bit more, budget and realistic expectations tends to limit what you can get cheaply and easily , read thru these links
viewtopic.php?f=69&t=519

viewtopic.php?f=44&t=38

viewtopic.php?f=87&t=339

viewtopic.php?f=52&t=5078