No LS engine for my impala yet and deeply concerned

MrBR · 06-23-2012, 01:19 PM

Instead of going fuel injection like I wanted I'm going to have to run with a rebuilt above stock 350 v8 and a 700r4 with a carb. My luck so far with carbs has been 10 mpg across the board whether it be a whale like a 1978 Lincoln with a 460 v8/ 1964 Cadillac with a 429 or even a 1963 impala coupe that weighed 1500 pounds less with a 305. Seems like whenever I have a carb I get 10mpg even if physics says otherwise. Am I destined to get 10 mpg even with a rebuilt engine/transmission? If really like gas to be less so I can one day afford an LS/5.3 to swap into my 64. I don't get why I get the same fuel economy as a 454 suburban/dump truck/semi. Heck I even have better aerodynamics than them.
And no, I drive like a grandma. I only go 50 mph on the freeway and I press so lightly on the pedal I could put an egg behind it and it would stay safe.

By the way none of these had overdrive so I'm praying the 700r4 will help.

**77Impala** · 06-23-2012, 01:41 PM

My 77 Impala with the 305, TH200, and 2 barrel carb gets about 16 highway and I drive faster than you do. The trans is a 3 speed just like yours have been. My perception would be bad carb's. I have seen some that got better than mine on mpg. And I had a couple of rebuilt carb's that were so bad that I could have sworn that I had a 454 with 4 barrel running in second gear. The first two rebuilt carb's layed down black carbon behind my Impala during initial testing. The car ran horribly so bad in fact that once I installed the third carb from a different auto parts store it took 9 miles for the engine to blow out the carbon that had built up in just 20 miles of driving with the two bad carb's on it.

The overdrive tranny will help as long as the engine can make good torque at low rpm.

MrBR · 06-23-2012, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 77Impala

My 77 Impala with the 305, TH200, and 2 barrel carb gets about 16 highway and I drive faster than you do. The trans is a 3 speed just like yours have been. My perception would be bad carb's. I have seen some that got better than mine on mpg. And I had a couple of rebuilt carb's that were so bad that I could have sworn that I had a 454 with 4 barrel running in second gear. The first two rebuilt carb's layed down black carbon behind my Impala during initial testing. The car ran horribly so bad in fact that once I installed the third carb from a different auto parts store it took 9 miles for the engine to blow out the carbon that had built up in just 20 miles of driving with the two bad carb's on it.

The overdrive tranny will help as long as the engine can make good torque at low rpm.

Maybe. I also blame the edelbrocks. The only time I got good or well decent gas mileage was driving a 1969 mustang 2 barrel carb 302. That got me 15 believe it or not. Wish my impala could do that.

**77Impala** · 06-23-2012, 01:51 PM

Just my opinion but Eldelbrocks are for power/racing, not economy.

MrBR · 06-23-2012, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 77Impala

Just my opinion but Eldelbrocks are for power/racing, not economy.

I know, I'm not the one who puts them on. I usually end up with cars that have them though. Funny thing is those carbs don't really do much for my performance. I know they're supposed to add only 10-20 horsepower but the trade off in MPG is HUGE

**Dwayne J** · 06-23-2012, 03:36 PM

The quadrajet everyone loves to hate is really good for balancing power and economy. Problem is finding someone who understands them and doesn't just screw them up. I am no fan of carbs BUT I will even say I think most carb issues are from people who didn't know what they were doing either messing with them or not messing with them when the engine combo needed the carb tweaked.

**donmateo** · 06-23-2012, 04:48 PM

Buy an LS9 and screw it all.

MrBR · 06-23-2012, 05:05 PM

I wish I could have any LS. But like I said I have to use a carbed 350. Maybe if one of those MPFI kits are worth it is put it on the engine otherwise I'd wait until the engine dies and then buy an LS

MixedImpala04 · 06-23-2012, 05:59 PM

you can get a used LS motor from a truck complete for about 1500.00, just gotta look around.

MrBR · 06-24-2012, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MixedImpala04

you can get a used LS motor from a truck complete for about 1500.00, just gotta look around.

It may be but factor in labor and all the fabrication to put it in my 1964 +wiring work+ the tranny and I couldn't have afforded. The 4k for a rebuilt 350+700r4 +install is a much better deal in the meantime. I truly wish it could be different. I'd be getting nearly double the gas mileage.

**Dwayne J** · 06-24-2012, 10:06 AM

You are paying for installation work?

Far as complete engine prices I know someone who scored a 80k mile 2004 6.0l with wiring accessories and pcm for $900 from a yard. Only things missing were the starter and MAF. I think region plays into pricing a LOT. This engine was scored at a Viper specialty yard in norther Wisconsin

.
Supposed to be the largest collection of dismantled Vipers in north America

MrBR · 06-24-2012, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dwayne J

You are paying for installation work?

Far as complete engine prices I know someone who scored a 80k mile 2004 6.0l with wiring accessories and pcm for $900 from a yard. Only things missing were the starter and MAF. I think region plays into pricing a LOT. This engine was scored at a Viper specialty yard in norther Wisconsin

.
Supposed to be the largest collection of dismantled Vipers in north America

Yeah. My toolset is limited so I have never really been able to work on my car. One day though I'll go LS. One day.
Funny how they got such a good deal on a Chevy 6.0 at a viper yard lol.

MixedImpala04 · 06-24-2012, 11:25 AM

Dude they sell complete bolt in kits to put a LS motor in your car. They sell the motor mounts and trans mount to fit it in. I'll find the link for you.

MrBR · 06-24-2012, 11:33 AM

Thanks but it's too late anyway. The guy and the tranny shop are already building an engine/transmission

MixedImpala04 · 06-24-2012, 11:37 AM

F**k....

06-23-2012, 01:19 PM	#1 (permalink)
MrBR Screw The Environment Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 325 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts View My Garage MrBR	No LS engine for my impala yet and deeply concerned Instead of going fuel injection like I wanted I'm going to have to run with a rebuilt above stock 350 v8 and a 700r4 with a carb. My luck so far with carbs has been 10 mpg across the board whether it be a whale like a 1978 Lincoln with a 460 v8/ 1964 Cadillac with a 429 or even a 1963 impala coupe that weighed 1500 pounds less with a 305. Seems like whenever I have a carb I get 10mpg even if physics says otherwise. Am I destined to get 10 mpg even with a rebuilt engine/transmission? If really like gas to be less so I can one day afford an LS/5.3 to swap into my 64. I don't get why I get the same fuel economy as a 454 suburban/dump truck/semi. Heck I even have better aerodynamics than them. And no, I drive like a grandma. I only go 50 mph on the freeway and I press so lightly on the pedal I could put an egg behind it and it would stay safe. By the way none of these had overdrive so I'm praying the 700r4 will help. Last edited by MrBR; 06-23-2012 at 01:28 PM..

06-23-2012, 01:41 PM	#2 (permalink)
77Impala 1st Year of the 5th Generation Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: North TX Posts: 6,151 Thanks: 72 Thanked 68 Times in 38 Posts View My Garage 77Impala	My 77 Impala with the 305, TH200, and 2 barrel carb gets about 16 highway and I drive faster than you do. The trans is a 3 speed just like yours have been. My perception would be bad carb's. I have seen some that got better than mine on mpg. And I had a couple of rebuilt carb's that were so bad that I could have sworn that I had a 454 with 4 barrel running in second gear. The first two rebuilt carb's layed down black carbon behind my Impala during initial testing. The car ran horribly so bad in fact that once I installed the third carb from a different auto parts store it took 9 miles for the engine to blow out the carbon that had built up in just 20 miles of driving with the two bad carb's on it. The overdrive tranny will help as long as the engine can make good torque at low rpm. __________________ 1977 Impala Sedan, 5.0L, TH200, 2.56:1, 100K miles, 37 Lifetime Warranty Parts. 1997 Dodge Ram B2500, 5.2L, 36RH, 3.21:1, 373K miles, 24 Lifetime Warranty Parts.

06-23-2012, 01:51 PM	#4 (permalink)
77Impala 1st Year of the 5th Generation Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: North TX Posts: 6,151 Thanks: 72 Thanked 68 Times in 38 Posts View My Garage 77Impala	Just my opinion but Eldelbrocks are for power/racing, not economy. __________________ 1977 Impala Sedan, 5.0L, TH200, 2.56:1, 100K miles, 37 Lifetime Warranty Parts. 1997 Dodge Ram B2500, 5.2L, 36RH, 3.21:1, 373K miles, 24 Lifetime Warranty Parts.

06-23-2012, 03:36 PM	#6 (permalink)
Dwayne J Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 2,649 Thanks: 1 Thanked 45 Times in 31 Posts	The quadrajet everyone loves to hate is really good for balancing power and economy. Problem is finding someone who understands them and doesn't just screw them up. I am no fan of carbs BUT I will even say I think most carb issues are from people who didn't know what they were doing either messing with them or not messing with them when the engine combo needed the carb tweaked. __________________ Dwayne 96 Caprice with AI 200cc package Best et 11.5 Best MPH 116 Just another taxi

06-23-2012, 04:48 PM	#7 (permalink)
donmateo Resident Post-Whore Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Racine, WI Posts: 13,975 Thanks: 292 Thanked 317 Times in 208 Posts View My Garage donmateo	Buy an LS9 and screw it all. __________________ Need to shop? Do it in One Stop! www.basilonestopshop.com

06-23-2012, 05:05 PM	#8 (permalink)
MrBR Screw The Environment Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 325 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts View My Garage MrBR	I wish I could have any LS. But like I said I have to use a carbed 350. Maybe if one of those MPFI kits are worth it is put it on the engine otherwise I'd wait until the engine dies and then buy an LS

06-23-2012, 05:59 PM	#9 (permalink)
MixedImpala04 Storm Trooper Ralf Join Date: May 2011 Location: merced, CA Posts: 3,946 Thanks: 195 Thanked 219 Times in 174 Posts	you can get a used LS motor from a truck complete for about 1500.00, just gotta look around.

06-24-2012, 10:06 AM	#11 (permalink)
Dwayne J Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 2,649 Thanks: 1 Thanked 45 Times in 31 Posts	You are paying for installation work? Far as complete engine prices I know someone who scored a 80k mile 2004 6.0l with wiring accessories and pcm for $900 from a yard. Only things missing were the starter and MAF. I think region plays into pricing a LOT. This engine was scored at a Viper specialty yard in norther Wisconsin. Supposed to be the largest collection of dismantled Vipers in north America __________________ Dwayne 96 Caprice with AI 200cc package Best et 11.5 Best MPH 116 Just another taxi

06-24-2012, 11:25 AM	#13 (permalink)
MixedImpala04 Storm Trooper Ralf Join Date: May 2011 Location: merced, CA Posts: 3,946 Thanks: 195 Thanked 219 Times in 174 Posts	Dude they sell complete bolt in kits to put a LS motor in your car. They sell the motor mounts and trans mount to fit it in. I'll find the link for you.

06-24-2012, 11:33 AM	#14 (permalink)
MrBR Screw The Environment Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 325 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts View My Garage MrBR	Thanks but it's too late anyway. The guy and the tranny shop are already building an engine/transmission

06-24-2012, 11:37 AM	#15 (permalink)
MixedImpala04 Storm Trooper Ralf Join Date: May 2011 Location: merced, CA Posts: 3,946 Thanks: 195 Thanked 219 Times in 174 Posts	F**k....

Remove Advertisements Sponsored Links
Impala Forums Advertisement

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
need help deeply appreciate it	1964	Automotive Discussion	3	07-28-2009 12:02 PM
How concerned should I be with surface rust?	impala steve	Restoration Forum	3	04-14-2009 07:45 PM
1963 Chevy Impala 283 engine w/powerglide engine swap to a LS1 & 4l60E?	Ben	Chevy Impala Discussion	0	05-03-2008 02:50 AM
Concerned about gas milage?	robertleeg@sbcglobal.net	Automotive Discussion	0	09-02-2007 07:24 PM