Street_Rat

Hello, need to start working on a new motor for my car. A little back ground on my 68 Z/28 Camaro. I bought it in 1980. The original 302 motor was FUBAR in 1974. The guy I bought it from replaced the motor in 1973 or 74 with a GM crate 370 HP LT-1 short block and over the counter Angle plug heads. So it not a matching number motor for the car. I rebuilt the 350 motor in the mid 80s. Problem it is tired again has some oil leaks and I would like a motor that would run fine on straight pump gas. The Camaro still has the original intake, deep grove pulleys, correct distributor, matching number M21 4 speed, 12 bolt with 4:11s.

I have a fair collection of Chevy engine core parts such as 283, 327, 350, 396, 400, 402, 427, 454 to start from should I go this route. Problem I just keep hearing bad stories about some of this area automotive machine shops around here lately. So I'm starting to think about ordering a crate motor of some sorts.

I like both small and big block Chevy engines. So my question is what motor would you put in this car if it was yours?

Ace$nyper

iTrader: (8)

What i'd do would first think what is the car going to be used for.

Alot of machine shops will deal with shipping if you have a pile of motors sitting around, I have a soft spot for 327s myself.

What are you planing other then running on pump gas? Let us know and we can better help pick a motor to enjoy.

kskustoms

I'd just order a new crate 383 for it. You can take the original parts off the current engine and keep those incase you every find a block with matching numbers. Other then that, crate motors are cost effective and producing more hp these days then every before.

How much do you drive the car? What kind of idle do you want? MPG? There is a lot to consider when you are choosing a motor.

Street_Rat

OK, These days the car is street driven only on nice weekends. But I do like a reasonable amount of power available when it does get driven. I would like to have a minimum of say around 370 horsepower and a maximum of around 460 - 475 horsepower.

Does anyone in aftermarket still make small journal 327 rods?

Street_Rat

Not worried about MPG. A radical idle or mild idle either way works for me. Just want something (motor) that does not feel like a gutless pig.

badjuju342

iTrader: (3)

If you're not too concerned about cash , might think about a LS7 . Stuff a cam and longtubes , get about 600 hp at the flywheel , plus it will start up rather nicely with EFI

JGKadell

iTrader: (4)

rebuild the LT1. Those engines are strong. Just get the heads redone to work with todays fuel.

JonB

iTrader: (3)

Personally for a weekend warrior car like this I would stick with the old school carbed 350. Either rebuild that LT1 you have or there are any number of crate motors out there from 240hp on up to just about any hp you want.

71bbcamaro

just throw a 502 in it.

JL8Jeff

iTrader: (14)

Keep the LT1. You can keep it looking like the original 302 and have the extra cubic inches for more power and torque. But I will admit, my SS 396/375 is a blast to drive.

Z-Convert

2 words: RAT MOTOR! Remember this: There ain't no replacement for cubic inch displacement! This is what I have in my 67 RS/SS: 454/TH400/4.10 12-bolt. Gas mileage is crappy (6mpg but I don't drive it every day anyway) but even as a loaded boat (curb weight tops 3600 lbs) I lay waste to just about anything next to me on the street + it's very easy to fix and/or tune-up. I will confess to wanting to add a Gear Vendors overdrive for hiway use.

onephatZ28

iTrader: (8)

I would do the SLP 402

http://www.slponline.com/view_product.asp?P=12500M

gavspurplez

iTrader: (6)

i like the idea of a 302, if you want to stick with something that came in the car,
but i would like to hear a 572 crate motor, in it

fast01z28

iTrader: (6)

what about the 572?

TTSSZ

iTrader: (8)

Nothing sounds better then a big block....
But If it were my 69z, I think I would de-stroke the lt1 to 302ci and do a bullet proof valve train that can rev to 9000 rpm. Then put the extra cash into making it handel like its on rails.
yep 9000rpm, chambered exhaust, 69 hammer slammer.
For me...hugger orange with white z stripes.
hounds tooth, wood steering wheel, gun metal tq thrusts, and a 5 speed for better cruzing.

Z-Convert

Well, if he has a 283 and an early (small journal or 67 and older) 327 then he's got the makings of a 302, just like the factory did: 3" stroke 283 crank into a 4" bore 327. Just takes pistons with the correct compression height.

But I still like a Rat motor.

Bill Bowling

iTrader: (6)

What about a LS-1 with headers/heads and a cam? That would be around 450RWHP. There are a lot of cool parts for a LS-1..

Bill

2xLS1

iTrader: (25)

IMO, the only thing that makes a 68 Z28 a Z28 is a 302. Even if it's not the original #s matching one. Any other motor just makes it a 68 Camaro. Especially since you have all the good pieces that go on a 302.

Red Cell

+1 if it was a factory z, I would rebuild a 302 for her.

EPP

iTrader: (22)

http://www.exoticperformanceplus.com...tCar.php?car=9

Check out this original '69 Z28. Same situation, the original engine is long gone. We removed a shot 427 out of it three or four years ago and installed a 502 with a six speed, and fuel injected it. We just sold this engine combination and am finishing up an 2005 GTO LS2 drivetrain installation in it. I'll be adding many pic's to it this coming week. Bob