thinking about 1st gen camaro

I'm in the army and am getting stationed in Hawaii pretty soon, i leave on sunday and had a couple of questions about 1st gen camaros. Since I am gonna be in Hawaii for the next three years I have decided that I am gonna get a car and hook it up over the next three years so that I have a really nice ride when I come back to Florida. Any way my plans as of right now are for a 1st gen (prefferably a 69) camaro with a 383 engine and what ever transmission allows me the closest to 15mpg city driving. Where I'm having trouble is getting proper mpg estimates from a 383, I've seen NOTHING official and seen messeges on boards from both sides of the spectrum. Some people say you can get 400-450 hp out of a 383 and still get 16-19 mpg using a 4spd aod or one of the newer manual transmissions (t56). While yet other messageboards and such say you can't get more than 8-10 mpg. Taking everything posted into consideration how many mpg could i expect to get out of say this (http://speedomotive.com/450%20H.P.%20SBC%20STREET%20WARRIOR.htm) ? Basically I'm posting here to get more info, opinions, suggestions or whatever in reference to what I'm planning on doing. As of right now i have none of the parts (car, engine, NOTHING) needed to start this project but I've know i can get military loans (i was approved for several cars but couldn't afford the insurance on them, as well as experience from my bro, marine corps).

[edit]

btw, i would prefer a manual transmision but if it has to go it has to go

haha Speed-o-Motive... Where I bought my motor from... Havent gotten a chance to drop in my own 383 so unfortunately I cant say what I get... but...

I'm expecting 10-12mpg through a Th350 Tranny w/ 2000stall and a 4.10 rear.

Now, a 4spd Manual like a M22 Muncie wouldnt help much in the department of MPG... Lack of anything that resembles Overdrive. But like you mentioned a T56 should help cause of that 6th gear.

Although, a 700R4 Tranny might be of use as well. Just use a locking torque converter so you get better highway milege. The 4th gear Overdrive will help you as well. It's also cheaper to swap in a 700R4 into a car that's already an Auto... than trying to convert. Plus, 'cutting' up a old car to convert auto to manual or vice versa just kills the resale value in the world of classic cars. But of course its your car.

If you want maximum efficiency and can afford it. Why not convert to EFI? Edelbrock makes kits, as does Holley. They run about $2000-$2400 for the entire kit. Holley makes a MPFI tunnel ram unit thats just badass, but most likely will not fit under the stock hood of a F-Body. Or most cars for that matter... Its fairly tall, so a cowl hood is needed.

Also, Gear ratio is another thing to consider... If you want a cruiser thats efficient enough for practical use but still has nuts. I'd say don't go over anything steeper than 3.73. With a 3.73 and a T56 you should be able to cruise at 65-70mph at about 1600-1900rpm in 6th gear. It also gives you one hellasious passing gear.

Hmm.. All I can think of at the moment.

Getting a new transmission would help alot. I used to have a 69 Camaro with a 350 LT1 that was stroked to around 390. It had a M22 Muncie, a 850 Holley carb, no a/c or power steering. It got around 10 mpg, but I hardly drove it on the freeway.
http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/95182969camaro.jpg