Hey guys, I have a 84 camaro with a 305 carb, and just decided to swap for more power. But in the world of sbc there seems to be a million set ups.. What is a good reliable engine that will still hold its own on the roads. I have a 2500 dollar budget. And engine has to be smog legal. Is a goodwrench 350 a good motor, what about a zz4, or an lt1 what about a engine from ebay rated at 330hp for about 1800 dolars? See what I mean!!! What would be my best bet for this swap?? I would greatly appreciate any feedback to help me make this swap possible..

The Goodwrench engine is what I would call a mini-motor. It has low compression (8.5:1) and smog heads and a tiny camshaft. Its made as a cheap replacement for daily drivers, not as a performance engine. However, any performance engine you find is going to cost more than $2500, I would think. I wouldnt trust anything off Ebay unless you can go visit the builder's shop and see how they do it. You never know what cheap crap they are going to use to sell it to you at that low price.

Where are you located? You need to check around your area for engine builders, preferably ones that build street engines, not just race engines, and talk to them and get some feedback. And dont go talk to them unless you're serious. Nobody likes a tire-kicker wasting their time.

I am located here in San Diego and don't really know any engine builders..
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What do you think of this engine??http://sandiego.craigslist.org/nsd/pts/551191202.html

When I lived out there, I used to use a shop in Oceanside, named Auto Power. IIRC the guy I worked with was Keith. Give em a call if they still exist.

$2500 is about what you'll need to spend to support the engine - exhaust, transmission, suspension, & the little things. The cost of the engine will be above and beyond that.

My rule of thumb is to expect to spend as much handling the power as you spend to make it. So, a $4000 ZZ4, plan on spending another $4k to make it work in the car.

When California emissions is involved, you can pretty much guarantee that will be the case.

im going to agree im doing a 350 swap into a trans am right now and after the engine it has costed me 200 bucks alone in parts and space rental alone and lucky for me i have a race built tranny, better rear gears and new suspension all around to handle the 330 horse of this engine... most likeley if you have an automatic it isnt going to stand too long with 300+ horse and equal or more torque. 1200 on a "decent" tranny and converter to handle a perf. engine plus u also have to think most companies sell just long blocks carbs intake headers pulleys pumps ect come after... for 2500 dollars id invest in jegs 1900 dollar 290 horse gm performance block. use an inexpensive manifold like a performer use a small inexpensive carb like a double pumper or a performer. and save for a transmission and suspension that can handle a more powerful engine without body twist. now as a mechanic im not that good but for knowlage on engines i know my stuff (if that makes sense) if you can find a good rebuilt or low mileage 4 bolt main on your locale craigslist and you can go see it and make sure its in good condition for cheap GET IT older z28 and t/a 4 bolts made 245 horse stock (much better than your 170 305) and your transmission wont have too much of a problem handling them (get a 2000 stall maybe) although block castings were generally better after 1982 350's from the 80s do tend to be less powerful than the 70's era muscle engines

when i lived out there i just went to the junk yard and pulled a running 350 or 400 from ecology, i think it was like $150 or so long block

as for what socal said.. getting a junkyard angien and rebuilding it would be too bad of an idea at least then you choose what kind of power is going into your car... but just the machining alone (boring journals crank and cam ect) will run around 400 bucks.. then you have to find someone to put it otgether unless u can do it urself thats another 300+ theres a company on ebay that sels a 383 stroker with flat tops and a cam with all gaskets kit for 700 bucks and its trustworthy my uncle bought the kit for his chevelle. only problem is going into the stroker engines your puting a helluva bit of stress on your frame ive seen stock chassis and body f body birds crack windsheilds and door not close right cuz of someone dropping a stroker in... if you do go the junkuard builder direction since ive done it myself ill tell you dont skimp on the machine work if u cut something due to money its not garanteed it will run right..