I own a 79 ElCamino and I want to put a new engine in it. I've been learning how to work on my Camino piece by piece as it broke down the 5 years I drove it in college. I have another car now so I can start tearing apart my Camino. It currently has a 350 in it right now. I've had it rebuilt already so I'm thinking about thowing a crate 350 engine in it. I'm thinking about a crate so I can take the old 350 and learn how to rebuid it myself. Where could I look to find good deal? Something with around 300 - 350 horse. While I'm at it I would like to throw a new auto trannie and rear end in it also. I drive it as a everyday driver in the summer months so I would like something with overdrive. Any suggestions? Where could I get a good rear end with posi? I don't know much about gear ratio's. What should I look for?

I want my Camino to have some balls, but want OK gas mileage. What kind of set up would your suggest?

Thanks for any input you give.

Can't tell where you live, but try Scoggins Chevrolet, they offer some deals on crate motors sometimes, keep in mind you have to add on shipping charges. You might also check your local Chevy dealer to see what they'll sell you one for. Do a web search and see what comes up. Check Ebay...I've seen new crate motors up for auction there also. Another alternative might be to buy a rebuilt Jasper motor from a local source. Even Pepboys and Autozone will sell you a complete longblock motor.

I'd go with the 350goodwrench(long block) crate motor the price is pretty good $1280 or you could get the 350 goodwrench engine kit for $2000 which includes a edelbrock performer intake, carter carb, chrome vavle covers, and a mallory HEI dist. add some headers and it'll make 265hp and 304 ftlbs of torque. As far as a tranny you could a 200r4 or a 700r4.

Dudziak, Another often overlooked source is a local engine machine shop or speed shop. They usually take an engine in exchange for a rebuilt one then rebuild that one. I know that the local shop here has two or three 350s, less intake & carb, ready to go.

Try out Jim Pace Performance. http://www.paceparts.com/store.asp

You can buy the crate engines from Jegs, Summit and other places as well as Jim Pace. Bowtie Overdrives has some transmissions but for a full range maybe look at TCI http://www.tciauto.com/tci.htm. They also have awsom tech files. Good reading.

Good Luck

http://www.sallee-chevrolet.com/ChevySmallBlockV8s/330.html

Here is what I did to get some pep out of my 350.. The only thing I changed was the Roller Rocker from 1.5 to 1.6 witch put my lift to 575. All I can say is hang on!!


420 HP (http://www.edelbrock.com/automotive/bowtie/bowtie.html) <Link