New Engine for 69 Camaro
New Engine for 69 Camaro Hey guys, like the title says, my friend is trying to build a decent engine on a budget for his 69 Camaro. It has a 1st Gen 350 with a T56 mated to it in it right now and he was wondering if he should forge the internals? Is it even worth it with that old *** block? He was thinking of buying an LS2 crate engine until he found out how much they cost
Can anybody give any ideas on a good budget shorblock+heads combo? He would like to keep it carbed but is open to any ideas. He has about $6000 to spend and just wants a reliable stout motor to put a procharger on
Any and all input and ideas are appreciated!!!
Can anybody give any ideas on a good budget shorblock+heads combo? He would like to keep it carbed but is open to any ideas. He has about $6000 to spend and just wants a reliable stout motor to put a procharger on Any and all input and ideas are appreciated!!! $6K? I would think you could do a budget LS2 build-up. I like carbs on the Gen 1's. That's just me, though. Buy a used LS2 longblock on here or eBay. Carb and cam it. Spend the rest on all that unexpected stuff and bling.
^Just ramblings out of my imagination. I've never done anything like it.
^Just ramblings out of my imagination. I've never done anything like it.
Thanks for the quick responses What budget heads would you guys go with? Any suggestions on pistons and rods? We're in iraq right now and as soon as we get home he's starting this build Any companies that you know of that have decent LS2 shorblock prices?
What budget heads would you guys go with? Any suggestions on pistons and rods? We're in iraq right now and as soon as we get home he's starting this build Any companies that you know of that have decent LS2 shorblock prices? hey man,i would go with a iron 6.0 with forged rods and pistons with a set of ported 317 heads,i have been selling those longblocks for $5750.00,then you have a perfect foundation for a great running fi car
How well do the LS engines handle boost, since they only have 4 bolts per cylinder? Is this only an issue at higher boost levels?
How about a forged 6.0 iron block with L92 heads. But I guess a limitation with those heads is still there is only one intake available, and it may not hold up well to forced induction?
After messing with first gen small blocks for 20 years, it is difficult to give them up. But how can you argue with the performance of the LS engines. I see myself building one for the Nova sometime down the road.
How about a forged 6.0 iron block with L92 heads. But I guess a limitation with those heads is still there is only one intake available, and it may not hold up well to forced induction?
After messing with first gen small blocks for 20 years, it is difficult to give them up. But how can you argue with the performance of the LS engines. I see myself building one for the Nova sometime down the road.
What intake do you guys think he should go with for this build? Hey Shawn, I'll let him now about your deal and see what he says. So you guys are pretty much saying scrap his 1st Gen 350 altogether and start from scratch with a new block?
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Believe it or not, for 50+ years many people were able to make some nice power out of the first gen SBC. Building up his 350 is still cetainly a viable option. Eagle Performance has some good 4340 forged cranks and rods that can support a lot of power for a decent price. High performance heads for the first gen have never been so plentiful and well priced. I don't have enough experience with LS motors to say which would provide the best $ per hp. I have an example of each engine in my two cars, so I can appreciate each of their potentials. The LS is certainly the latest trend for hot rodding, and has a lot of curb appeal when you pop the hood of your sixties muscle car. You will get a lot of opinions from talking to folks, but in the end he will just have to make a choice that works best for HIS combination of car, performance goals, and budget.
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We installed an LS2 into a 69 Z28. We first weighed the car with the 502 and aluminum heads that we had installed many years ago, then again after we swapped in the LS2, and the car lost 350 pounds. The 502/502 had a hotter Lunati cam in it, while the LS2 was stock. Headers were used with both engines, and the LS2 only made 55 rwhp less than the 502 did.
Price wise I don't think your buddy can do an LS2 on his $6,000.00 budget. He would want to buy a complete engine with all accessories including the computer, along with the transmission. This alone will use up most of his 6k. Then you have LS2/1st gen headers, motor mounts, misc wiring harness adapters, etc, the list is pretty long. Bob
Price wise I don't think your buddy can do an LS2 on his $6,000.00 budget. He would want to buy a complete engine with all accessories including the computer, along with the transmission. This alone will use up most of his 6k. Then you have LS2/1st gen headers, motor mounts, misc wiring harness adapters, etc, the list is pretty long. Bob
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I see no reason not to stay with the 350 sbc and build it....... For $6000 you should have no problem building a perfect motor for boost either way if you do it right..... The other thing you may want to tell him to look at is it seems that procharger systems are a lot cheaper on sbc compared to ls series motors....
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On my '69 I want it procharged (don't have the cash). If I did I would probably do a forged Gen 1 383, good heads and the procharger. Should be able to be finished within reason of that budget.
