I am currently trying to decide between 2 engines to put in my camaro (1981 Z28). I want to be able to run on regular octane pump gas and still have a relatively peppy car. I will spring for premium if i have to but that would mean driving the car less often and im convinced i can make a pretty peppy small black and still run on regular gas. Im considering the base 290HP crate engine from GM. Im also considering the new style 5.3L engine in GM trucks. How difficult would it be to install this engine in my car? Are the mounts the same as the old style blocks? Would it bolt up to my TH350 and how hard would it be to do this and keep the fuel injection? The 5.3 would be a better engine for driveability but the above issues are holding me back from getting one of these for my car. Any suggestions/reccomendations would be greatly appreciated.

 

If you want both driveability and good power, go for big displacement. Something around 380+ inch small block, or a 500+ inch big block will give you plenty of power in a mild engine that can be driven in stop & go traffic. Keep it on the mild side and it won't cost a fortune.

 

I don't know if i want to go bigger than a 350. I'd consider a 383 crate but i don't want to go for a big block. Even 350HP would be plenty as i am planning on making the car lighter. One of my buddies knows a guy that owns a business that makes fiberglass parts for cars and he might make me a new hood, doors, and trunklid. He'd use them to make molds to sell later. If i give him my doors, hood and trunklid i might just get free fiberglass ones. How hard would it be to use a new gen block with fuel injection and still retain the TH350?
[align=left] [/align]

 

Be careful with fiberglass parts, they not as light as most people think.

 

With doors and a hood as long as the ones on my car they'll make a noticeable difference. I wouldn't bother if there wasn't a possibility of getting them for free or for really cheap. Is there any other ways to make these cars lighter other than removing the back seat? It's 3500lbs...there's gotta be a few places where it can drop a few pounds.

 

Get a 572! Go big or dont go at all Damn it!!!

 

What was the quote from Cannonball run... "If you are going to be a bear.....be a Grizzly" lol just kidding The 350 can support the 350 hp as long as you get good heads what are you planning? Or better yet what do you want to spend?To me the trouble of getting and installing the computers and fuel injection would be a pain especially for 350 hp put that money in a good set of heads and carb. The pump gas use depends on your compression more exactly your dynamic compression I posted a link for a good calculator Ill see if I can find it
here it is http://www.hotroddersauctions.com/Dy...Calculator.php

 

It would cost several thousand more to install any type of LS engine (5.3 or otherwise) than a crate engine. Go with the crate engine. If you want more power, opt for more displacement: you can buy small block crate engines up to 434 cubic inches.

 

Yep I'm with him, don't get fiberglass doors,go with the hood and deck lid.

 

with modern cylinder head and camshaft technology it is VERY easy to get 350hp from a SBC. if you have a heathy 350 short block you cam make over 350hp with off the shelf L31 Vortec heads andlots more if you get the heads that already have thespring seats cut for standard valve springs. checkoutpaceparts.com for the heads, they have Vortec heads with the valve seats cut and 2.02/1.60 valves already installed.i had a 3rd gen camaro making 441hp witha Vortec headed 383 that ran 7.30's in the 1/8 off the bottle.