I was wondering if anyone could tell me what the most powerful engine I could put in my 1976 camaro.

Welcome to the site :)

whats your budget?
as hp increases, then the dollars flow. As your engine gets more powerful, your stock components wont be up to the job. At a point, you will need a stronger trans, better rear end, upgraded brakes and suspension, upgraded fuel systems and the list goes on.

What HP or 1/4 mile time are you aiming for?

Imho, the cheapest, biggest engine that you can easily install in your car would be a 700hp/496" standard deck height BB..

Check out Car Craft's March, 2007 issue for the story on one that made 707hp and that cost $6,720!

And I figure that for 550 to 600 hp, you can build one for probably $5,000 or less. I have like $38 to $4,000 in my about 550hp at 5500 rpm 496 now, I just call it my great big "tow-truck" motor b/c I can swap cams in it and drop it in a duelie and work it if I ever wanted to.. It won't be a race motor, but rather just a great big street motor!! Mine's only at 9.8 to 1 CR. and has just a good old CC 282S solid cam in it so there is a lot of room to grow, power-wise, imho....

Check into Ohio Crankshaft Company's about $1200 forged rotating assembly and even Powerhouse's $1099 complete aluminum 320 cc rect port heads. They aren't true race heads, but the price is right if you wanna go cheap...

pdq67

You can put just about anything in your camaro.. Just depends on your budget really.. 576 cid twin turbo making around 1800 hp would fit great in there

So would a 300 hp 350..

Again it just depends on your budget.

As you up the HP of the engine you will have to upgrade other parts though.

Subframe connetors will be needed with anything over 300 HP IMO.
Rear end will need upgrading when you get to about 650 hp
Brake system needs upgrades with anything over 300 HP IMO

And I figure that for 550 to 600 hp, you can build one for probably $5,000 or less. I have like $38 to $4,000 in my about 550hp at 5500 rpm 496 now, I just call it my great big "tow-truck" motor b/c I can swap cams in it and drop it in a duelie and work it if I ever wanted to.. It won't be a race motor, but rather just a great big street motor!! Mine's only at 9.8 to 1 CR. and has just a good old CC 282S solid cam in it so there is a lot of room to grow, power-wise, imho....


pdq67

Nobody likes a bragger. :D


-Nate

I was wondering if anyone could tell me what the most powerful engine I could put in my 1976 camaro.

Depends how deep your pockets are.

What are your plans for your car?