I'm looking to upgrade my '86 Camaro SC, it currently has a stock 305 LG4.

1) The car will be a daily driver, not look to create a racecar, so high end HP is overkill for me.
2) I want a noticeable improvement over the 305 LG4.
3) I want the new engine to have a carb, don't want to switch to FI.
4) I don't want to spend a fortune, but willing to spend some money.
5) I'm not a mechanic, so I want as easy a swap as possible. I want an engine I can have a garage drop in, change a few things (like exhaust), and run great for me for years.

What should I get? Should I get a new 350 crate engine from GM? Or is there a better option?

Any advice would be appreciated.

John

 

A stout 4bbl 350 will make you pretty happy. Even a stock '79 or so Camaro 350 will be a good engine. Thats what I have.

 

the base goodwrench 350 is a good replacement, its about 1200 bucks (1400 shipped), has 4 bolt mains and a 3 year, 36k mile warranty. 240 hp and i think 280ft lbs of torque. my buddy got one for his monte ss and used everything from the engine that was in there (carb and acc, ect.) and it had a lot more power than his l69. easy switch and it ran good.

 

get a 502 Big block... thats not overkill IMO but is for others

and for you a 350 would be the way to go.

 

The Goodwrench 350 in place of an L69 305 is a different story than the 350 in place of an LG4.

Although that engine would be a good start, figure on complete exhaust replacement (headers, cat, cat-back), and a different air cleaner - the single-snorkel LG4 piece is a real choker. A factory dual-snorkel is much better, but getting hard to find. A dual-snorkel can be fabricated, however - see tech article, or 82camaro's recent post "Custom Ram Air" on the carb forum.

Ignition upgrades in the form of aftermarket coil & module also in order. And complete tune-up stuff (plugs, wires, cap, rotor).

All that would be a very noticable increase in power, completely streetable, and would pass emissions inspection & testing (if that's an issue for you). Just take off all the "350" decals.

 

GM used to make a great conversion kit called the HO 350 using a ZZ4. Some of those kits may still be available from Scoggin-Dickey, or gmpartsdirect. Check out GM's Performance Parts Catalog for the details on that kit.

 

actually the goodwrench 350 makes 260hp and 350lbs trq. for 1200 bucks, thats more than the stock put out of a 350TPI.
and it will pass emissions all day long if the car originally had an LG4.

Just throw a Edelbrock performer on there and a 600cfm carb an HEI distributer, and some headers, and watch your 1/4 time drop by about 3 seconds

 

if he did that, would he be able to keep the stock ecu ? or have to ditch the computer ? I want to put a 350 in my 91 camaro with a 305 TBI ? Any suggestions?

 

If he did what? "...a 600cfm carb an HEI distributer..." means no ECM.

But, spending money on "a 600cfm carb an HEI distributer" is silly. That will be slower than keeping the stock CC q-jet and upgrading the ignition - assuming exhaust and air cleaner are upgraded.

However, he said in the orginal post, "The car will be a daily driver, not look to create a racecar, so high end HP is overkill for me." Okay, the stock CC q-jet and upgraded ignition will be more driveable and get better mileage than a 600cfm carb and HEI distributor.

The Goodwrench crate would be an upgrade over a stock LO3. Figure on exhaust upgrades to get the most out of it. May have some computer issues, talk to the guys on the TBI board about that.

Oh, the Goodwrench crate makes 260 HP with a carb, open element air cleaner, and some exhaust other than LG4.