Now that I have a daily driver on the road (1990 Firebird) I have time to play with my toy(1980 Camaro).

Should I buy the LT1 out of a 1996 Caprice Classic ex-Cop Car ($2000) or should I try build my own? Any suggestions?

Awesome deal on ebay right now. A 330HP GM crate motor with very few miles on it, complete carb to pan for $1600. Might be worth looking at.

I am going to ask the first and most important questions in engine building

What is your budget?

What are your goals (drag race car, street strip, autocross)?

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1971 Camaro
383 stroker ~500HP
M21 4spd
12" brakes
16x10" Wheels
Autocross competitive
Engine Designer - The Speed Merchant, San Jose, CA
http://www.speedmerchant.com/

I'm a tell ya to get a big block and forget the small block stuff, but that's me http://www.nastyz28.com/ubb/wink.gif

I have about $3000 for engine and transmission (I have a tired 305 in it right now and the transmission is starting to go). I am building the car to be a fun street car that looks good, I may take it to the strip a few times just to see how it does, but it isn’t going to be for racing. I just want it to be able to beat the imports when they are shooting off their mouths. I was looking at the cop car because I could get the entire car for $2000.

Hmmm $3K for engine and trans... I'll be honest that is a little light in the budget to do anything interesting.

I would honestly probably buy a GM 330HP crate motor ( http://www.paceparts.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=22746 )
After that and all the little stuff you will need its gonna pretty much blow the $3K budget.
Save up another $1K-$1500 and buy a TCI TH350 (go to www.speedmerchantfx.com (http://www.speedmerchantfx.com) and type in part # 311000)

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1971 Camaro
383 stroker ~500HP
M21 4spd
12" brakes
16x10" Wheels
Autocross competitive
Engine Designer - The Speed Merchant, San Jose, CA
http://www.speedmerchant.com/

If your not looking to do any serious racing with this, its possible. You could get a nice motor built for cheap if you know what to buy. I built my whole motor for $2400 (but I got a hook up, this is a $2800 motor usually) and I have forged everything, everything balanced and lightened, Hydraulic flat tappet Isky cam (.505 lift), springs, lifters, ARP everything, stock rebuild Vortec heads (906 castings) and an RPM Air Gap intake. This motor put down 310 whp and 322 wtq last weekend, and still has another 10-15 whp in tuning. When all is said and done my car will be in the bottom 12's with this setup.

This is what I would suggest for you.

-350 (2 bolts are fine for what your doing, but 4 bolt mains would be much better)
-Hypereutectic Pistons
-GM "Pink" rods
-GM forged crank, or maybe a callies cast
-GM rebuilt Vortec heads (906's will work, but 062's are better)(above all the best bang for the buck cylinder heads ever made, period.)
-Edelbrock Performer RPM Air Gap for Vortec heads
-Holley 650 cfm carb

The cam really depends on what your looking for. Personally I would go with a solid lifter flat tappet Isky cam (if you dont mind adjusting valves). If you like a lumpy idle but still have some vacuum, get the "Z-25" (240 degree duration @ .050, .480 lift). If your wanting to go all out and love a rumble, get the "Z-35" (THIS IS A GREAT CAM!!!)(254 duration @ .050, .525 lift).

This setup will get just about any full bodied car into the 12's and wont cost you an arm and a leg. Im thinking probably $2200 for the motor, leaving $800 for a tranny rebuild which is more than enough. BTW - MAKE SURE YOU GET THE MOTOR BALANCED!!!

too bad your not closer to arizona. theres a 94 Z28 on craiglist thats sideswiped something but the motor and tranny is intact. for 1650. I havent looked the last couple of days but its in phoenix.