El Camino engine

[ldrhoa]

The 3.8 is tired and leaking. Here are some ideas of a transplant. Cast your vote now, and we will see what the summer brings! The options are what I MAY be able to afford, so no 572 crate motors.:mad:

[92CamaroRS]

i say out of all them a built 350 would be my option. but i still say go for the new 572 :D god that thing makes gobs of torque! id love to se someone try to shove that in a GA lol

[LoneRangers15]

Built 350. Probably the cheapest of all three.

[TA^Guy]

Sorry my choice isn't on teh list but how about a Buick 3.8 SFI Turbo. Or if you want to spend a little more a 4.1 Stage II Buick block with a nice T60 turbo?

[LoneRangers15]

I would also put in a Turbo 350 or 400 tranny, and a Dana 44 rear end. Not as expensive as you may think. Also don't skip out the the torque converter, this is more important than you my think. You could even put in a 400 ci small block. My dad had a 78 Intenational Scout with a 400 SB, Turbo 400 tranny(with a shift kit), Dana 44 rear-end, HEI ignition, and Holly 4-barrel. Sold it in 1994 for $2,500 so I doubt these mods would be expensive.

[TA^Guy]

Thinking about it you could walk right into a salvage yard and pic up a LB9 or L89 TPI motor for pretty cheep, including the wire harness and computer, maybe even the tranny. We have just sold one with a little over 70,000 miles on it from a '89 IROCZ for under $2000 and that included the computer and T5 transmission.

[ldrhoa]

Of course the tranny will be swapped for a beefy overdrive. I have a 3.23:1 posi set up for my current rear end, so the Dana 44 swap isn't gonna happen.
A turbo 3.8 would be cool, but I am trying to limit my headaches, i.e. wiring, tubing, custom exhaust work, parts that can break, etc.....
I've already done a built 350 in a 83 Malibu wagon (what a sleeper!), so I want to try something a little different. I've found a few big blocks (stock) for under a grand, and with another grand in bolt ons, it would kick ass.
Kickin' someones but with a built 4.3 would also be fun. I absolutely hate 5.0 Mustangs, so they are on the "hunt" list! There are a ton of GM Performance parts for them, along with Edelbrock, etc....
Keep the suggestions coming!!

[99GrandAMSE]

Built 350 for me please ... hehehe ... I am biased though since those are what my Dad and I used to build :)

[TA^Guy]

Whatever pulls like a freight train man! lol
I usually drool over the cars with a modern EFI swaps.
But as long as your out Rustang hunting then it's all good.
And I agree, I would go with a TH700R4/4L60 overdrive tranny before a TH350. Have to love tootin along on the highway doing 70 about about 2000rpm.

[LoneRangers15]

The stock big-block would be good, but the upgrades for it would be more expensive than a small-block. A small-block chevy is probably the cheapest v-8.

[99GrandAMSE]

Originally posted by LoneRangers15
The stock big-block would be good, but the upgrades for it would be more expensive than a small-block. A small-block chevy is probably the cheapest v-8.

That is my line as if it was mine ... the 454 in my garage would be sitting in it :D

[ldrhoa]

I thought you were going to sale that to me? j/k.
But if you ever need the garage space, and it just has to go......

[99GrandAMSE]

Originally posted by ldrhoa
I thought you were going to sale that to me? j/k.
But if you ever need the garage space, and it just has to go......

OK ... if I got rid of one, that would still leave me TWO!!! HAHAHAHA :lol:

[ldrhoa]

I will even come pick it up, you big block hoarder! What are you going to do with the other two? Cuz I have this Toyota project....

[99GrandAMSE]

Originally posted by ldrhoa
I will even come pick it up, you big block hoarder! What are you going to do with the other two? Cuz I have this Toyota project....

HAHAHAHA ... I have been called a lot of things but not that before :lol: ... and they are the good ones too, you know, the ones with the 'little HP' on the head :wink4: ... can you say, VAAAARRRROOOOOOOM!!!! :lol: Ideally though, someday, I am going to find a 71/72 vintage Camaro (plain as I can get with a preference towards NON-Z28) to make a STRONG SLEEPER!!! :)

[ldrhoa]

That's funny, cause I've been wanting a 70 1/2 for ever! But a 71-73 would be o.k. And you don't need all three for one car do ya? ;)

[99GrandAMSE]

Originally posted by ldrhoa
That's funny, cause I've been wanting a 70 1/2 for ever! But a 71-73 would be o.k. And you don't need all three for one car do ya? ;)

Probably not ... actually, I lied ... I was thinking afterwards that I really only have two 'complete' engines but I do have a third block including everything but the heads and dome :( ... I seriously want to build these to put in something someday as according to the 'number trace' I did, the engines are rated at 435 HP meaning with a little tweaking, 500/550 will be easy :)

[ldrhoa]

Dude's, got a line on a 454, .010 over, basically stock! Supposed to find out real soon how much the guy wants for it. Hopefully I can sale my Toy project to finance it.:D

[Travis99GT]

I voted built 350, but I myself would do a t-type/gn swap with some mods or I'd find a syclone/typhoon motor :D

[ldrhoa]

If I only had the $$$. I just bought my house, so I got to sale my Yota project just to get the 454.:tears2:

[ldrhoa]

OK, you guys talked me into it. I am going with a crate motor. Only 250 HP 350, but I can always swap on good heads and what not down the road. For $1200, with a warranty, not too bad. I've got 3.23's and a posi for the rear to replace the 2.42's. Plus I'm trying to find a 700R4 4 speed auto. Let you know how it goes.

[99GrandAMSE]

... nice!!! I'd go for a nice set of 3:40s or 3:73s instead of the 3:23s :)

[ldrhoa]

The 3.23's are free, so I can't pass em up! I would like to get a Monte SS rear with a 3.55 posi and just bolt it in, but they aren't exactly giving them away.

[99GrandAMSE]

OH ... if they're FREE ... go with them ... can't beet that :)

[ldrhoa]

I got her out of the garage today for a little cruise into Madison. Nice to drive her for a change. forgot how much bigger she is though! She was a little rough for the first 10 miles, but ran like a top after that. Starting to save for the crate motor, donations gladly accepted!:D

[TA^Guy]

Sounds great, and the 3.23s are still decent gears to have fun with. Especially with a vehicle with such a light rearend. Not sure what transmission you have but if your going to do any real driving with it, 3.73's can be tiredsome even with a TH700R4.

[99GrandAMSE]

Originally posted by TA^Guy
... if your going to do any real driving with it, 3.73's can be tiredsome even with a TH700R4.

Very true, but if you want to 'tie the rear down a little', they'll give you a TON MORE SNAP on the bottom :D

[ldrhoa]

I can't afford to put new tires on it all the time, so the 3.23's will be plenty. Also, my Dad and I were thinkin of going on the power tour next year. Anyone else interested?

[ldrhoa]

O.K, so the 350 is on the way.... .030 over, Speed Pro cam, Holley Street Dominator (Z-28) intake, steel crank, balanced, blueprinted, ported stock heads (for now), decked, align-honed, 7 qt Moroso pan, probably a Carter 625 AFB for now. Should be in this winter.

[antirice]

Originally posted by ldrhoa
I can't afford to put new tires on it all the time, so the 3.23's will be plenty. Also, my Dad and I were thinkin of going on the power tour next year. Anyone else interested?

for sure! I'll try to have the truck done by then :D do you know what part of the country its covering? sorry for the late reply

[99GrandAMSE]

Originally posted by ldrhoa
O.K, so the 350 is on the way.... .030 over, Speed Pro cam, Holley Street Dominator (Z-28) intake, steel crank, balanced, blueprinted, ported stock heads (for now), decked, align-honed, 7 qt Moroso pan, probably a Carter 625 AFB for now. Should be in this winter.

DYAM!!!

[ldrhoa]

It was the engine I had in my 81 Malibu wagon, then sold it to my brother, but he has decided not to use it, so I'm getting it back from him. Gotta save for the tranny rebuild and gears for the rearend, so the install will have to wait.
It did surprise (and spank, I should add :bish: ) quite a few Mustangs.

[Rayz]

I had a 74 Nova with a 350 / 700R4 combination with a 3:08 ten-bolt posi. First gear lasted all of a couple seconds and it would burn half way through second before hooking up. It got about 18 MPG on the highway if you kept it under 75MPH.
The ratio on the 700R4 are 20% lower in first and 10% higher in fourth then a TH400 effectively gave me a 3:70 rear in first and a 2.77 rear in fourth. A 3:23 would be an excellent choice for your engine and transmission combination.

[92CamaroRS]

Originally posted by Rayz
The ratio on the 700R4 are 20% lower in first and 10% higher in fourth then a TH400 effectively gave me a 3:70 rear in first and a 2.77 rear in fourth. A 3:23 would be an excellent choice for your engine and transmission combination.


the TH400 doesnt have a 4th gear:P

[Rayz]

the TH400 doesnt have a 4th gear

that the point , the TH400 runs out of gear to soon.

[99GrandAMSE]

Originally posted by Rayz
that the point , the TH400 runs out of gear to soon.

True but just build the motor to withstand higher RPMs :D ... HAHAHA ... 350s work just find at 9200 :D :lol:

[92CamaroRS]

Originally posted by 99grandamse
... 350s work just find at 9200 :D :lol:


you would know wouldn't ya

[Rayz]

... HAHAHA ... 350s work just find at 9200

Kelly:
Were talking cubic inches, not cubic centimeters here. :rolleyes:

[92CamaroRS]

Originally posted by Rayz
Kelly:
Were talking cubic inches, not cubic centimeters here. :rolleyes:

he knows its cubic inches. for everyone that dont know he has had a Pinto(pretty sure) with a extreamly built 350 that ran, what was it kelly? 9s?

[ldrhoa]

Yeah, it won't be anything too radical, just a nice street rod. Other mods will include a roll pan, cowl hood, re-paint with a pearl clear coat, bucket seats and a rockin' stereo. I've got a B&M shifter for it, but it is too tight with the bench seat. The handle hits the radio in park, so I will wait to install it when I get my buckets.

[99GrandAMSE]

Originally posted by Rayz
Kelly:
Were talking cubic inches, not cubic centimeters here. :rolleyes:

HAHAHA ... no worries man, I understood :) ... this little 'engine' was built to turn 9200 although it only hit a measily 8800 in the quarter :D

http://www.gaownersclub.com/kbruce/pinto.jpg

[jayhawk]

One of my Customers has 1978 (I think? it has square h/l's) with a 351 Windsor in it. man that little car screams.