How can I make an older car better for the environment?

Hi everyone… I’ve always been into older cars, especially from the 1960s to the 1980s. Lately, I’ve been wondering if there are ways to make them more environmentally friendly. Are there any upgrades or changes I could make to help with that? Would love to hear any tips or advice!

Thanks for joining the conversation on this forum! If you’re asking about a specific car, don’t forget to include details like the year, make, model, mileage, engine size, and whether it’s automatic or manual.

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Switching to electronic fuel injection (EFI) is a big upgrade. There are standalone EFI systems designed for older cars that used carburetors.

Tate said:
Switching to electronic fuel injection (EFI) is a big upgrade. There are standalone EFI systems designed for older cars that used carburetors.

Thanks for the tip! I’ll look into that.

What exactly do you mean by environmentally friendly? Are you looking to reduce emissions, improve fuel efficiency, or something else?

There are EV conversion kits for some classic cars, especially the more collectible ones. In some parts of Europe, stricter rules are coming for older gas-powered cars, so people are turning to these kits to keep their classics on the road.

Just keeping an older car in use is already helping the environment. Manufacturing new cars creates a huge carbon footprint, from production to shipping. The longer you keep your car running, the less impact you’ll have. It’s an underrated point that gets overlooked.

How old are we talking? If it’s pre-fuel injection, EFI should be the first thing you consider.

I agree about EFI. Also, for some muscle cars, ethanol conversions can be a good option. Ethanol is cheaper and its price doesn’t fluctuate as much as gas, but it burns hotter, so watch your engine temps. Maybe don’t go full E85 because it can dry out seals in older cars. If you can, consider an aftermarket ECU like Haltech, but rewiring the car can be a lot of work.

Late 80s cars might be a good choice. They usually have fuel injection and modern features like power steering and power brakes. But be ready to do some repairs if you’re driving an old car daily.

I’d avoid cars from the 80s because a lot of systems were vacuum-controlled, which can be a nightmare to troubleshoot. With EFI conversions available, you could go for something a bit older and simpler instead. But yeah, by 1984, EFI started becoming pretty common and changed how cars worked.

Keeping an older car running is more sustainable than buying new. A lot of the environmental cost of a vehicle comes from building and transporting it. Focus on keeping your car in good shape—no oil burning, tight seals, and proper maintenance like disposing of oil responsibly.

Upgrades like EFI, coil pack ignition, and long tube headers can help improve efficiency. Long tube headers, for example, reduce backpressure compared to standard exhaust manifolds.

Adding EFI and a catalytic converter would be a good place to start if you’re looking to reduce emissions and improve efficiency.