I have a 1987 Camaro base model with a 305 carbureted. I'm thinking about an engine swap for a future project and I wanted some opinion. I don't know if I want an ls1, a chevy big block, or something like a 383 stroker or 396. I would race it, but would also daily drive it a little, but not all the time. Thoughts???

 

Any engine can be made to go really fast, even a V6. Ask yourself if gas mileage is important to you being you plan on daily driving it some, and if it is, then out of the four engines that you mentioned above I would go LS1...

 

Okay that makes sense, but I want something that will make a good amount of horsepower. I know the ls would make around 300 but I want something around 400 or more...

 

You have way more choices than you realize. An L98 can easily make over 400 horsepower with the right parts, even a 305 can easily make over 400 horsepower if you add a power adder, then there is the LTX, LSX, I mean the sky is the limit. I myself tend to stick with what the vehicle came with, as I always cringe at car shows when I see an engine from a different generation resting in a 3rd gen, but that is just me. Four hundred horsepower is a piece of cake today, just figure out what works best for you, then run with it...

 

A big block is really going to fill up your engine bay and honestly not give you any more hp options than a small block would (unless you go like...CRAZY big block).

400 hp is a good number and definitely gives you a quick car. Unless you buy a 400 hp crate engine though you are going to have to modify any engine that you drop in to get it to that amount.

That being said, why not go sbc? If you already have a carb'd car it just seems to make sense.

 

If there's no engine swap then it seems to me like the owner just didn't even care. A few bolt-ons. Any non-enthusiast can pay any shop for that.
Besides, the LS1 was rated 305 HP in the '98 Z28, but it wasn't many days before some shop in Texas had one out of the car, on an engine dyno, and found 400 HP with no cheating. That's why the HP at the rear wheels was over 300, right off the showroom floor. That's how a Ford magazine editor, Evan Smith, got a stock '98 Z28 to run a 12.89 at 109.18. Without drag tires.
You can't do that in a 3500# car if the engine's only putting out 305 HP.
With nearly any cam, long tube headers, and a tune, you're at 400 RWHP. Good luck getting a 1970 LS6 454 to do that. You'd need World Merlin heads at a minimum, in addition to headers.

 

me....454/500 HP

 

With manifolds instead of headers, I doubt it.

 

Don't nit pick Cosmick. It was a picture from the net of a 454 stating 500 horses.
I seen that too.
I would go big block just because.

 

I've settled on an ls2 actually. New technology and I can get some serious ponies out of it.

 

good for you, thats exactly what I would have gone with if I had the time and money. Maybe one day I will go from LS1 to a newer motor.

You will be very happy with the LS2 - great power, good tuneability, excellent mpg and really the pro's list goes on