I love driving my camaro and would someday like to drive it everday. Has anyone seen or read about any motor builds that promote fuel effeciency? I wouldn't mind throwing an LS1 in there. I know putting on better parts that are matched and keeping port sizes down will give better gas mileage. I would like it to be a powerful yet fuel efficient car here in the near future, of course after I pull out the 650hp supercharged 383.........or I may just find a new camaro that has low miles and in great shape and throw a new motor in.

 

Yea, lots about efficiency out there.
305 is a good start.

Small port size, small cam, GOOD QUENCH DISTANCE, roller cam, efficient exhaust, port injection of some type, good swirl heads, etc etc etc.

 

You could try a newer stock LT1 swap, those are more efficient than the gen I blocks on average. Another thing to consider- the factory tuned most engines for efficiency, mind you not always the best, but its a good starting point. Just stick to mods that reduce friction internally, and promote free flow of gasses. But then again, you could have a good time and build a high rise dual quad instead

 

best way i seen so far to make decent power yet have good economy is to have a mild cam with HIGH flowing heads/intake and somewhat larger inches. the motor will be very mild but the heads/intake combined with cubic inches will flow plenty to make power and be very tame on the street.

LSx motors are like this. good heads/intake with mild cams and good tune.

but for the most part, its all about the tune.

 

food for thought

http://viragotech.com/fixit/FuelEcon...encyPower.html

 

I thought about just building an engine out of a roller block, but it would cost about 3000 to do and I dont think it would have much more power than a healthy lt1 if I kept it mild. Ive seen lt1 engines for under 2k. You think I should go the lt1 route not the ls1? I do like low end torque, and its not quite there with the ls1. The headers I have would bolt up to the lt1 though and so would a traditional tranny.

So mostly stock parts? Different cam with a small profile, maybe polished heads and a free flowing exhaust and intake.....low ratio gears.
You know one thing I never liked about the lt1 was the intake, operating rpm is high as hell, yet it still has good low end torque. I dont understand this but I wonder how much the torque would improve with a good ltr setup like the superram. Maybe also the mpg. Well thats a whole 'nother discussion.