Does your 81 still need to get emissions tested? Can you buy any like 1967-1969 Camaro SS 350 or 396 engines with the same specs? Yes you can, but it would most likely be a rebuilt engine, which means you can get one built the same way if you wanted. You can rework your engine and make it a lot healthier than it is now, it all comes down to knowing what you're doing and having the money to do it. Also, building a big block is going to cost more than a small block. But it can take more dollars to get a small block to match the big block's. Another option is to check places like craigslist, you might get lucky and find someone selling a good engine. Just do some research so you know what you're looking at when you see it.

 

No, it doesn't. I just passed my inspection so it's all good. And I have been searching around on various sites for engines, just so I can get a good prospective of how much I should be looking to pay here. But you did say I can have one made? What website would I go to have that done? I'm kind of looking around for the 325 hp 396, maybe the 375. Just depends on how much it cost I guess.

 

Finding and buying a 396 in either HP rating will cost more than buying an equal 454 engine. The old 396 and 427 engines are tougher to find, and usually cost more. You can get more HP from a 454 without pushing it as hard, and if you wanted a 427 it's simply a matter of installing a 427 crank into a 454 and it's now a 427. They are the same bore size, so with the shorter stroke it's a 427.
As Camaro 69 mentioned at SBC is a little cheaper to build from scratch, but if you have a complete engine the BBC isn't all that much more for something that's not too radical. What will cost you more is the base engine. SBC engines are generally pretty cheap to buy, while a BBC engine will cost about 30-50% more to start with. The higher you build either engine, the deeper your pockets need to be!

 

I was looking through one of my classicindustries catalogs for Camaros, and you can buy a 350\290hp base engine for like 2000 dollars, block, crank, pistons, cam, heads and valve covers. What all would I have to buy to complete the engine other then carburetor, and intake manifolds? And do you think it's possible I could get around 325-350 hp with whatever else it takes to finish the engine?

 

heres a superchaged crate motor from jegs. 383 hp 431 tq. under 5k.
http://www.jegs.com/p/Vortech/JEGS-G...55187/10002/-1