awesome idea...

[zachbly]

i want to put a hybrid engine in a classic. is this at all possible? the only reason is, i would like my 55' crown vic to get outstanding gas mileage. if anyone has any ideas, please tell.

[MagicRat]

It's possible but would be monumentally expensive.
Most present hybrid systems are from small cars (ie Prius)would not move such a big car very easily.
Also the computer controls are very complicated, thoroughly integrated with the car's other systems (ie, driveline, electrical harness, ECM, dashboard and instrument cluster, battery pack, etc. )and are programmed to function with a smaller lighter car.

The real question to ask is how to improve the mileage of your car.
You could swap in a modern, computer controlled V8 with a modern overdrive transmission. You could convert the original engine to electronic fuel injection and electronic ignition.
Or you could convert it to run on propane, which is much cheaper than gasoline.
However, realistically, you would have to drive many thousands of miles just to recoup the cost of any such conversion.

[KiwiBacon]

Put a diesel in it.

Better mileage than a hybrid, easier, simpler and lighter (no battery pack).

[beef_bourito]

how big are the diesel engines for pickup trucks? (i'm talking about the cummins 5.9, whatever the powerstroke and duramax ones are) i'm sure they'd be able to fit pretty well in there. i've got a cousin (well cousin's husband, but that's beside the point) who's doing something similar, he's swapping a cummins 5.9L (out of a pickup, i think it's a 1992) into his motor home, replacing the 454 that's currently in there.

[curtis73]

The problem is, a hybrid car is not just the engine, its brakes, drivetrain, transmission, engine, computer... the entire car is a complete engineering nightmare. Its also dramatically underpowered for older heavier cars.

In my opinion, Hybrids are strictly a buzzword intended to pacify auto buyers while satisfying CAFE requirements. They waste a lot of energy in an attempt to save a couple MPG. Retrofitting one into an older car would be a step backwards in engineering.

[INF3RN0666]

I know this doesn't really follow from your post, but i'm just gonna throw my two cents in. If you look at the fuel economy of a hybrid car, it's no better than that of a honda civic. Mind you, the civic gets amazing gas economy. The point is, hybrids are a waste of money. They're expensive and they don't save you the extra money you spend on it. If this is just a project for you, and you have the money, then I recommend going with something new. Go with completely electric dual motor. Do something new or rarely seen. Yeah a hybrid is rarely seen, but it doesn't portray anything...

[UncleBob]

I wouldn't say that. the best "full size" (IE, not glorified go-carts) hybrid cars can get upto 70mpg, specifically at low speeds (stop and go). Name any non-go-cart car that can do that? Definitely not a Honda Civic

Hell, even the Chevy Metro (Suzuki swift) with its super light weight design, super small motor, gets at the very best 50mpg, and thats at low speed highway cruising

Pretty simular for the Jetta TDI, although its a better car as far as efficiency, but its also a lot more expensive. But then, so is the hybrids.

Really....the difference between 40mpg and 50mpg is pretty minor. Once you get into the higher numbers (say, over 30mpg) the dollar savings of actual fuel, get pretty slight.

For this project, a small diesel engine would definitely be by far the easiest to convert to the vehicle. Hybrids are just too complex and expensive. That is the real question IMO. Spending 20K on a custom project like this, over a simpler option, to gain 5mpg is not worth the effort.

Of course, you could buy a Suzuki Swift for 2K used, and save yourself a lot of hassle.

Sometimes the easiest method is to just buy the car that is already engineered for your desires