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Any other vintage car or truck enthusiasts here?

I don't want to deal with carburetors anymore. I really like fuel injection.
If I did anything, the car would end up with an ECM anyway, might as well go with fuel injection.

That's going to be tough with that car.

I hear you on carbs, though.

I'm looking to ditch mine for a 350Z.
 
That's going to be tough with that car.

I hear you on carbs, though.

I'm looking to ditch mine for a 350Z.

It would be "challenging"...if I ever undertook to do it, that is.
There are actually quite a few companies that make delightful retro instrumentation which is actually designed to work with modern ECM's.

It may take a bit of digging to find specific models but most of the old iconic instrument companies are now offering retro themed update kits featuring modern gauge displays in place of the old analog dials and meters.
 
It would be "challenging"...if I ever undertook to do it, that is.
There are actually quite a few companies that make delightful retro instrumentation which is actually designed to work with modern ECM's.

It may take a bit of digging to find specific models but most of the old iconic instrument companies are now offering retro themed update kits featuring modern gauge displays in place of the old analog dials and meters.

You'd think someone would make a "box" that you plug the various old instruments into, on one side, and then the new, fuel injected wiring harness into on the other side...and voila, everything works. Modern ecus definitely track and record battery output, rpms, and oil pressure...
 
My perfect car would be a corvette stingray body, dropped onto a 6th gen corvette frame and drive train.

Which can actually sorta be done. A company called SR2 builds frames with all the modern goodies, that you can then lower and attach a C3 body onto. What's the cost, you ask? Well, with an LS1 and T56 combo included, only about 60 grand, last time I looked, lol.
 
You'd think someone would make a "box" that you plug the various old instruments into, on one side, and then the new, fuel injected wiring harness into on the other side...and voila, everything works. Modern ecus definitely track and record battery output, rpms, and oil pressure...

They do...the vintage retromod instrument cluster business is strong.
Of course, for a 1960's Connie or an Imperial it may not be as easy as it would be with a vintage Mustang or a 57 Chevy, but it's a fact that universal kits are out there and so are craftsmen who make a pretty penny upgrading old dashboards.

There are indeed digital to analog capture devices, for stuff like speedos, tachs, mechanical oil pressure senders, etc.
 
My perfect car would be a corvette stingray body, dropped onto a 6th gen corvette frame and drive train.

Which can actually sorta be done. A company called SR2 builds frames with all the modern goodies, that you can then lower and attach a C3 body onto. What's the cost, you ask? Well, with an LS1 and T56 combo included, only about 60 grand, last time I looked, lol.

A similar outfit will give you a 21st century Jag XKE, which is basically modern 21st century Jag drivetrain and brains topped by a vintage XKE body. The cost is well into the six figures though, but you know Jag owners.
 
Do a 350 crate, 300hp, 20mpg estimated. You'll need an msd ignition control, and a holley 650 carb, tuned right, with decent gearing, and you can get 20mpg.

If you go crate go with something with fuel injection the either sequential or direct injection complete and ready run out of the crate with all the accessories. Mopar Pro Shop - Mopar Performance Parts (MoPowered) - MOPAR 345 5.7L HEMI VVT EFI COMPLETE FACTORY CRATE ENGINE. Your right about the gearing to get better mileage especially at highway speeds. If its an automatic like the torqflite A727 then to take advantage of the torque a modern engine provides and not have to change gearing on the rear differential I would go with a overdrive unit to double the gears and set the final ratio to match the cruising speed and rpms you are looking for. Lower rpms being in a general sense better for efficiency.Dodge 3-Speed Auto - Gearvendors Going with a guy to convert the old analog dash to a hybrid computerized or installing new gauges is not as hard as one would think. A conversation with a couple of gauge restoration companies or gauge manufactures before you start your project goes a long way with reducing cost knowing what to expect and most importantly reducing headache. Most of the gauge companies are really tuned into the retromod market.
 
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