I own a 1978 Camaro Z28 and I'm in the beginning stages of rebuilding it. My purpose for this car is to have a drivable, somewhat economical, yet powerful street car that can also pull of good numbers on a strip. I wanna post this poll and get some opinions on engines. I love the classic 350 cuz it gives good power and great sound for small price, but I also want the bragging rights of a 454 with some major big block power. Or would a 396 be a better choice? Take into consideration these things (as I am): Sound, Power, Cost. I realize much of the sound and power comes from what I choose to do with the engine, but just give me your baseline opinions please, and I'll take other suggestions as well.

 

Also any suggestions for tranny's, although I'm kinda bent on a manual, possibly 5 speed.

 

go with a 396 small block or a 385 stroker, throw on some magnaflows, hell go with straight pipes, and stick an m21 or 22 behind it. the 4-speed is just classic muscle

 

396, you get the best of both worlds, big block torque and sound, and relativly good gas mileage

 

gotta go with the small block. so many after market parts and up grades for it. and less expensive than big block stuff. dont get me wrong my big block kicks butt. but if i had to pick right now. you can never go wrong with a small block.

 

Thanks for all your opinions! Am i wrong in thinking there is a 396 small block? Or is 396 a big block? Cuz I'm drawing a blank right now, I can't think.

 

396 is a big block.....but there is also a 400 small block....

Since it was a 350 car, I'd just put it back in. No muss, no fuss....
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jeeze, i just noticed you said 396 SMALL BLOCK. i thought you said BB dude, if you do that, you're going to have a monster!!!

 

Yeah, like rand said if you want it easy go with the 350, otherwise I would do the 396.

 

Im a big fan of the ZZ4 line of engines (mine's a 350) from GM performance parts, I LOVE the one in my 70-plenty of power, strong, buildable, great torque, reliable, and with the hooker super comp headers and delta flow muffs, sounds bad ***.