Im going to start the restoration process....but i wanted to know...what engine mods can i do to the camaro...it has the stock 350...but it has been rebuilt...but i know that chevy back then kept the horsepower low in the late 70's models....so what parts should i use or remove

 

That all depends on what kind of power you want to make,the sky's almost the limit with a Chevy Small Block there are so many options available.
If you are just looking for a good boost without rebuilding the engine then a nice performance cam and bolt on package will make a big difference.
That would include a set of headers and performance mufflers with dual exhaust,a performance intake manifold like an Edlebrock Performer and a carb to match like a Holley double pumper or other performance carb.
Then you'll want an ignition upgrade from someone like MSD or Accell.
The thing you need to do is get a complete package of goodies that work well together,not too big a cam or carb,not a wimpy exhaust system choking out all the other stuff,it has too all be on the same level.
If you want to go bigger on everything you'll need to get into the motor and build it up to match,higher compression pistons,ported heads with bigger valves,a beefy steel crank and heavy duty connecting rods etc.
If you decide you want to go that route you may want to just pull the stock motor out and buy a crate motor with the horsepower rating you want and bolt it in,you can get 300hp or 900hp or any of a bunch of other engines already built on a proven formula.
Just note that if you go for big power the rest of the car will have to be built to take it,different rear end,axles and driveline,tranny beefed up,subframe connectors,cooling system will need upgrades and more so be ready to spend a bunch of money on the car not counting the motor.

 

if you get a bigger engine, you dont need to upgrade the rear end, driveline and trannie right away if you drive it normal and not blasting off at each light right?

 

Well.....yeah I guess, if you can resist the temptation

but if you do get on it and break something it can be bad news for other parts including the engine.

Say you snap a u-joint and drop a driveline,that could take the tranny with it.
Suppose you were revved way high when it happened,then there's a sudden no load condition on the engine and she way over revs with out a load,blamo! rod through the oil pan,you get my drift?

 

well yeah but you'd have to resist the temptation until you got the stronger trannie and rear...

 

do you know how much it costs, on average, to have a crate engine put in?

 

To me that is putting the cart before the horse,build the car first then drop in a motor,that is the way to go IMHO.

 

Hard to say, crate motors vary in price from less that $1000 to over $30,000.
Just the labor to bolt it in if you can't do it yourself shouldn't be but a few hundred bucks.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/350-C...QQcmdZViewItem

http://www.dougherbert.com/70616degr...th=614_616_755

 

yeah ive seen some pretty bad A$$ creates for like 20k

im planning on swapping out my 305 and getting a 383 with alum heads on jegs and its around $3800..it will have 420 HP and 450 TQ

would that engine put a big stress on my trannie, driveline and rear axel even if im not hard on it?


P.S. Sorry for the take over..

 

what if i got the motor and upgraded the drive line and/or axel but left the stock trannie for now