Good ol' I6 or a New V8?

[gread]

My current '67 half ton has the I6. It has never done me wrong, but it seems like getting a V8 is the thing to do. I am intending on getting a new transmission, but should I put in a V8 as well? The purpose of my vehicle is general driving, moving, hauling of small loads (nothing beyond a one-horse trailer). I also here that newer/fuel injected V8's get slightly better gas mileage. Is the V8 worth the money, or is sticking with the I6 a better idea? Thanks in advance for the input.

[Unionwelder]

I have both, drive my I6 more. I don't have a new computerized sbc though so it likes to drink the gas.

[gread]

Thanks for the info, how much does a computerized carb improve mpgs?

[71veronica]

what do you get mpg wise with your I6

[Carl Spangler]

Originally Posted by gread

My current '67 half ton has the I6. It has never done me wrong, but it seems like getting a V8 is the thing to do. I am intending on getting a new transmission, but should I put in a V8 as well? The purpose of my vehicle is general driving, moving, hauling of small loads (nothing beyond a one-horse trailer). I also here that newer/fuel injected V8's get slightly better gas mileage. Is the V8 worth the money, or is sticking with the I6 a better idea? Thanks in advance for the input.

Can you expand on your statement about "seems like getting a V8 is the thing to do".

Why so???

cheers
JohnG

[gread]

I would say 14-16 depending on how I drive. I also have the four-on-the-floor with a granny gear, so I generally only use 2nd-4th gears.

[gread]

Originally Posted by Carl Spangler

Can you expand on your statement about "seems like getting a V8 is the thing to do".

Every pickup I see at car shows seems to have a V8, I actually don't think I have seen one in person inthis body stile with the set up I do. A lot of people I have asked said that V8 was the way to go, but people in my community are also oriented toward racing up at the local track.

[MrSector9]

I went through the same decision, I do not plan on racing it, figured if it lasted 45 years with the inline 6 who am i to change it. That and also the cost to refresh the l6 is WAY less then buying a v8 setup and swapping in.

That being said I do plan on hotrodding the l6, megasquirt and tbi injection to make it fun.

[NC_John]

Originally Posted by gread

Every pickup I see at car shows seems to have a V8, I actually don't think I have seen one in person inthis body stile with the set up I do. A lot of people I have asked said that V8 was the way to go, but people in my community are also oriented toward racing up at the local track.

That seems to be more in favor of keeping the 6. Why would you want to have what everybody else has? I have an eight but its what the truck left the factory with. If I had a 6, I'd leave it in just to have something different.

[gread]

Originally Posted by NC_John

That seems to be more in favor of keeping the 6. Why would you want to have what everybody else has? I have an eight but its what the truck left the factory with. If I had a 6, I'd leave it in just to have something different.

Originally Posted by MrSector9

I went through the same decision, I do not plan on racing it, figured if it lasted 45 years with the inline 6 who am i to change it. That and also the cost to refresh the l6 is WAY less then buying a v8 setup and swapping in.

That being said I do plan on hotrodding the l6, megasquirt and tbi injection to make it fun.

That helps make my decision, especially since I am a poor college kid. That being said, these projects go slowly.

[1972RedNeck]

If you try to please everyone, you will end up pleasing no one. Do what YOU want.

Now if it was me, I would do the opposite of everybody and keep the 6. It's just the way I am.

In fact, I am getting rid of my 350 for a 292.

[Unionwelder]

I got 16-18 with my I6 250 with 3ott. That was before I had the head planed and bored but if you are looking fora cheap build stay with the I6. I replaced my water pump, cam, crank and gears and all the lifters and rods for 140$ and took no time to replace them. As your project progresses you may want a souped up v8 but the I6 is very dependable.

[Alex V.]

The V8's are popular for good reason: the small block Chevy is one of the most versatile, durable domestic powerplants of the last century. For example, the 350 was first installed in the Camaro in 1967, and was last used in the truck line through, I think, 2002, with the only drastic changes in that run being to the intake and fuel system. But that doesn't mean the I-6 is a bad engine - they don't have the power potential of the 8's, but if you're only going to use your truck for "normal" there's nothing wrong with the inline six. And when you pop the hood bystanders see that long, narrow, torquey powerplant residing underneath and those that know their stuff take notice. Especially with a granny low 4-speed, I think you already have a good powertrain in your truck.

[Smittys 3600]

It ALL depends your major and GPA...

[hopped up]

V8!! Def worth the work !

[Carl Spangler]

Here's a cool vid of a modified 250ci on a dyno. Go to minute 9 if you want to see the nice results:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1p3-...layer_embedded

[Joe Cool]

The best I6 for these trucks is the trailblazer engine. I have seen them bolted in older trucks....amazing engine that has won many awards.

I personally owned one and put into a 1966 chevy nova wagon......made 1400 Horsepower with a turbo on it.....could not break it

[gread]

Originally Posted by Joe Cool

I personally owned one and put into a 1966 chevy nova wagon......made 1400 Horsepower with a turbo on it.....could not break it

What did you have to do to get it ready for a turbo? Were there any issues putting it in? What kind of mileage did you get?

[Joe Cool]

Originally Posted by gread

What did you have to do to get it ready for a turbo? Were there any issues putting it in? What kind of mileage did you get?

You can see the wagon on you tube..search nova wagon I6 Turbo
Its blue in color

Had to sleeve the block and add a dist driven ff the crank and build a manifold..mileage? ...over 20

[19673ontree]

I like the ole six's remember driving dads new one and they are about bullet proof , I like the new engines that everybody is putting in these trucks now but to jump in the ole c10 and fire that 250 up anytime without a care is good too ,

[Joe Cool]

Originally Posted by Joe Cool

You can see the wagon on you tube..search nova wagon I6 Turbo
Its blue in color

Had to sleeve the block and add a dist driven ff the crank and build a manifold..mileage? ...over 20

The late model 6 is about 30 inchs long.....same as and old 250/292
I had an adaptor made for the old turbo transmissions.......the person who made it still has the drawing if anyone is interested.

The adaptor is for the torque convertor and trans......you tighten the convertor bolts thruu the starter hole

pretty impressive engine.....EFI and a four valve.revs to 10,000 rpm