I have an '83 Camaro Z28 with a 305. I want to swap it out for a 350. I have 2 crate engines in mind, they're both made by GMPP. The first engine is the GM 350 with 260 horsepower and 350 Ibs of torque. The other engine is a Chevy 350 with 290 horsepower and 326 Ibs of torque. I want the GM 350 with lots of torque, but I want the Chevy 350 for its horsepower. If any of you have either of these 2 engines in your 3rd gen and ran a 1/4 mile, I would like to know what they were, just to have an idea.

 

"Horsepower sells cars. Torque wins races."

Just a little quote for you. I'd say get the torquey one. And if you want more power, it's only a cam swap away. And I'd say either of those engines will put you in the 14 second range.

 

If your dead set on those motors I would get the 260hp.Several years back I remember they did a build up with that motor.I can't remember what it was called.Anyway chevy high performance or hotrod did it and they got somewhere in the area of 330hp with headers, intake and cam. I believe it was the performer rpm, 1 5/8 headers and the cam was a comp 268xe 224 230 477 480 lift. If you wanted more power and had the money now I would get the 350HO. 330hp and 380ftlbs. This motor has vortec heads and will see 370+hp with the comp cams 268xe.Either way if you ever want more than 350hp those heads are going to limit you on both of the motors you suggested.That being said I have seen the 260hp motor in an 80s el camino and that was probably the best bang for the buck in any crate motor besides the 350HO.It was a good motor.