I am planning a 69 Camaro project, I want this new car on the road and the strip. I have been told that a big block engine (454cu in, 572cu in)would add alot of unnecessary weight to my car compared to a small block (duh) and that I am better off with 400hp CT 350 cu in small block with some engine mods (twin turbo, headers, etc.) What do you think?

 

Thats a hard decision. I'm a big block guy. You know what they say "There's no replacement for displacement." But lets be honest. I don't think were buying 1st Gen Camaros for weight reduction. I have a Procharged 454ci and I love it. I want to go bigger, but thats me. Now on the other hand. My friend has a Corvette LT1 with a twin turbo kit that he bought brand new for $1200.00 (no i didnt forget a zero haha) h3/h4 hybrid turbos. Hes pushing 700hp on an LT1 for dirt cheap.

A twin turbod small block might be ideal because you will have the power, but higher end so wheel spin wont be bad on either the street/strip.
A big block would produce mass amounts of power, but you will have a terrible traction problem. Solved by slicks or drag radials.

To be honest, even being a big block guy, a street/strip application, a twin turboed small block would be nice for your application. But if you don't want anything standing in your way, get a block block

 

There’s nothing more badass than a 1st gen camaro with a high horsepower big block going down the road setting car alarms off

 

and making stuff fall of the walls, but there isn’t a lot of cars that could beat a twin turbo small block 350, look both engines up on

 

Could always supercharge a 572 big block. lol

 

What are your goals for the car on the strip? remember high horse power engines arn't fun to drive on the street,a decent small block will give you good streetability add some nitrous and you are looking at possable low 12's (depending)

 

I'm with z28pete. If you have the opportunity, go big. Real big. Crate 572, already pushing 700+ horses, plus a fair amount of boost, and you'll be pulling 9's or below in no time. haha.

 

Just an aside, but the 572 block is a high deck block, which makes it physically larger than a 454. So there may be some shoe horning involved to make it fit.