Introductions & Greetings - New to the site

Good morning! Newbie to ENGINE WORLD as a hold. I own a 78 ElCamino that I just inhereted from an uncle but it has no engine. Been hearing alot about LS & LQ Motors so I was told this would be the best place to get info about these engines. I have a parent that works at a major auto parts dealer and was thinking about buying a brand new crate motor if it's possible just don't know where to begin searching for year they where offered etc... I want to say thank you for any help that I may receive from this point on because I have no technical information on engines at all.

This will be a street/strip car, not driven on a daily bases or for long drives. Car will be built in Houston Texas then brought to Virginia. Rear End gears will be changed as well as transmission will be bought brand new as well as engine.

Browse the conversions/hybrid section here for engine swaps http://ls1tech.com/forums/conversions-hybrids-28/
And if you are looking at new crate engines check out GM performance parts site and sponsors on here.
http://store.chevroletperformance.com/store/Welcome.do