ok so im looking at buying a 81 camaro and was wondering what engines drop right in..

 

If it had a smallblock in it any smallblock down to the 302 should bolt right in. this body style came with either a big block, a small block, a straight 6 and a v 6 so just about any gm engine will fit.

 

with 81s, only small blocks and v6s were installed from factory, but earlier in that generation, big blocks and inline 6s were also installed, i would say the small block would be easiest for you, but that an chevy motor fits with enough effort

 

True...I have an 81 with a 305 in it...They're right...Any GM small block will fit...Now if it hasnt had a big block in it before you got it, and you're looking to put one in, you might want to look at replacing your suspension....

 

229V6, 231V6, 267V8, 305V8 or the 350V8 were all factory options that year.

 

cplthomas is correct, all of those motors did come in the 81 that year, if you are looking to put a motor into it, i would deffinetly recommend putting a 350 in it, or better yet if you can find a 383 that would be sick, small block are very powerful depending on what you put into it, and with the weight advantage from a small block to a big block, it can really help you down the road if you planned of dragging it, 81 was a really good year for camaros, just watch out for that camaro rot, it'll get ya at odd times, i learned from the worst.

 

I have a 81 Camaro and bought a Chevy ZZ4 crate eninge from Jegs. I love it here are the specs. It will 100% fit 70-81 no mods needed. Just make sure the floor boards and rear quarters are good everything else is easy. 81 was the best year I think.

Horsepower:
355 @ 5250 RPM
Torque:
405 @ 3500 RPM
Max. Recommended RPM:
5800
Compression Ratio:
10:1
Block:
10105123 Four Bolt main, cast iron
Crankshaft:
12556307 Forged steel
Connecting Rods:
10108688 PM rods
Pistons:
10159436 High silicon aluminum with offset pins
Piston Rings:
12528817
Camshaft:
10185071 Hydraulic roller
Lift .474" I, .510" E.
Duration @ .050: .208° I, .221° E.
Intake Manifold:
10185063 Aluminum dual plane
Distributor:
1104067 HEI
Cylinder Heads:
12556463 Aluminum 58cc combustion chambers
Intake Valves:
10168465 1.94"
Exhaust Valves:
10168514 1.50"
Valve Springs:
12551483 LT4 chrome silicon
Rocker Arms:
10089648 1.5 Ratio
Valve Lash:
Zero
Sparik Plugs:
FR5LS Gap .035 Rapid Fire #5 Gap .045
Fuel:
92 Octane
Ignition Timing:
10° BTDC @ 800 RPM
32° total @ 4000 RPM with vacuum advance disconnected