OK. Here's what I want.
- Fast straight line acceleration
- Streetable (No Huge cams that don't idle or 2 m.p.g.)
- carb.ed
- V-8
- Manual

I was wondering If I could build this car ('82 Camaro) for about $4000. What kind of combo's could I use. and approximatly how fast 1/4 mile. I just want some suggestions. Was thinking of building a 302 or a 283 to be different.
I don't care about cornering as long as it will turn. And emmisions are not an issue (I live in Wisconsin )
Thanks, Garrett

 

Well, full exhaust will run $700 or so. Some Hooker headers and a Hooker cat-back will run about $500 I think. Gears and a TC will run about $600-700. Some 3:73s and a high stall TC.
Comp Cams 262XE $100. That right there will help out a lot. Then either get some heads or port the ones you have. I assumed you're using the stock 305. Oh, and an Edelbrock 600cfm carb should do you , remanufactured $200.

 

OK sorry I typed it wrong it is a 1984 Z/28 with the 8th Vin # being "G". So that means it has a H.O. 305 right? Has a stock aluminum intake on it. It also has the 3.73 rear in it already. But I would prefer not to run the stock 305 if I could help it.
Here are some things the car already has, Headers, 5 speed, and dual 2 1/2" exhaust (Thrush Turbo Mufflers). Not sure what the 1/4 mile time is on it but it's a decently fast car.
Sorry I should have been more careful typeing and precise.

 

I'd have to agree with Mark, a good cam and head combo will make your car fly. Just be careful though, if your running the stock 5-speed and you mod your engine enough, your gonna blow some of that $4000 budget on a new transmission.

 

Well, that eleminates some things, like gears and exhaust. I forgot to mention getting the Edelbrock EPS manifold. So I think you're goals are very obtainable for the money you want to spend. Oh, I mentioned the Edelbrock carb earlier, just stick with the stock q-jet to keep your computer running, or you'll have to buy a distributor too.

I'd say right now at worst you're at low 15s.

And I guess I'm retarded too, cause I mentioned a TC when you have a manual.

 

I think you could dip into high 13's with about 2k in the motor... Get a Performer RPM Intake, 650 CFM carb and a good .46 or .47 lift cam and port it head to toe... I don't know exactly, but I think you could see 250+ Hp after those mods. If you go past about 300 Hp though, you're looking at a new tranny. The T-5 can only handle 320 lb-ft of torque... For some more $$ There are several tranny options for a lot of Hp, Tremec builds nice beefy trannies and you can't go wrong with a 4 spd M21/M22 Muncie (M22 very hard to find though)

 

First off let me say thanks for your suggestions.
But I was really hoping to lose the 305. I just don't like the way that everyone and their grandma has a 305 and a 350 in their cars. So what I would really like to know is if anyone has an engine cambo like a 283 crank in a 327 that makes an awsome 302. Some thing different and wierd.
And then what a guess as to the horse and 1/4 mile time. I saif I was against none carb. but a Supercharger or a turbo would be OK I just want to stay away from Fuel Injection it just scares me.
Thanks Again

 

Can't you take the 305 and make it a 383 somehow?? Somebody help me out here? Isn't there a crank kit somewhere that does this?...But I don't know what that would do to your milage.......

 

that would be a 350, not a 305. overbore it .030" and toss in a 3.75" crank and... Presto! 383

 

I dont think you can get a 305 to a 383. You can get it to a 350 though.

 

Talk to some hot rodders from the late sixties about building a 327. The head mechanic/supervisor at Blacksburg Transit (where I work) has built 327s that'll put big blocks to shame.

PS. and they are still streetable with about 20 mpg.

 

Put a rotary engine in it and see what you can do with that Just kidding

 

350........305...............something like that

 

so everyone has 305s....with 4k you could do heads, cam, carb and still afford a holley supercharger now that wouldnt be your average 305 that would be strictly badass

 

Budget? Well lets see:

Vortec heads


There's your head problem solved right there.

And for the engine, build the 302, that would be cool.

 

"Budget" and "streetable" don't mix with a 283/302 build-up. First of all, to make power with those things you need to spin them. Your garden veriety 2-bolt grocery-getter 283 block isn't gonna hold-up and the only other option is a $3000 deal from GM (p/n 24502501). For a 302, you easily can find a 4-bolt 4" bore sbc out there but in both cases you will have a fun time finding a 283 crank that will handle those rpms and even have the right journal size. Also, you will need the right cam and intake to work at those rpm which won't be very driveable. Trust me, i toyed with the idea of building a nice little fuel injected 283 revver but the parts aren't there for it. That leaves you with two options...stick with the 305 or get a 350 because you will need money left for full exhaust and beefing up your drivetrain. For what you are talking about spending, i'd stick with the 305. Going fast ain't cheap and there's no way around it.

 

You can still find old 283s and 327s. You will need a pre 68 327 block, with a 283 crank. As there were NO 283s with the large journal crank produced. There were several 283s with forged cranks however, but finding one of those. You're also looking at no torque, to speak of with the 302. Everyone always says how good they were, not in my book. Strickly race car maybe, street car NO WAY. Couldn't even run one of those yesteryear 302s on todays pump gas. Build a 327 or a 350.

 

"Fast" and "streetable" come together in one way - displacement.

"Fast", "Streetable", and "good mileage" are spelled "NOx".

BTW, all 283 cranks were forged steel. I had such a 302-hybrid in the mid-70's: 327 block, 283 crank, 12.5:1 forged TRW's, solid lifter LT1 cam, 2.02/1.60 LT1 heads, Torquer single-plane intake. No power below 2500 RPMs, but after that - hang on! It required premium because of the compression and heads, didn't have any low-speed grunt because of the cam and intake. Head and cam technology have improved so much that such an engine built today would not be as handicapped as that one was. It pushed a 3-speed stick '57 with one-legged 3.55 gears to the same 1/8 mile time my Camaro currently runs (never had a chance to run it on the 1/4). Put 2000 miles a month on that car for about 18 months (courtin', ya know...).

Oh, I'd suggest a .030"-over 400 (406) with 5.7" rods, nice heads, reasonable cam. Find a real manual transmission.

 

I would have to agree. For streetable horsepower. As in good power at moderate rpms, you need cubic inches. A 302 can be a sweet engine, but you have to spin it really fast to do it. The 302 was built because of some 5.0 liter limit racing back in the day. Put similar parts on a 350 and it will make more power and be more streetable. If you want to be different, build up a 377(400 block with 350 crank). However, leaving it a 400 would still be a better choice.

 

I agree,If you want to be somewhat different,fast and have a decent idle build a 400.We built one for an el camino to pull the boat and it ran great and got 18 mpg with 3.08s and a th350

 

I just did a write up on what I've spent on my 84 Z28 and what I've gotten so far.....

here's the link.

https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/sho...hreadid=103170

Basically for less than 4 grand (including the car) you can get lots and lots of pop!

 

Im glad to see that im not the only one who have a special place in there heart for a 283. Im putting this in my 84 Z28 Camaro Convertible 2 seater. It has flat top piston bored .80 over, 327 fuelie heads 202/160. I dont plan on racing the car, just wanted to build a little something different and have some power just in case. I took out the HO305 and got rid of the computer stuff, going with a 670 Avenger, HEI distributor (non computer), somtimes I do second guess myself about building this engine because I here so much negative about the 283 and lack of this and that... But im going to see how this go and if worse come to worse I will build a 350 or 400. i bought this engine with the heads on a 283 and had everything rebuild to include getting holes drilled in the heads for accessory. Now I have added a Edelbrock RPM to compliment the whole package. hopefully once i get everthing in place I will be able to vow for the 283 and say how please iam with this beast. Many people also did not know that a 283 could be bored out .125 over to make 302, which was my 1st idea, however the machine shop did not want to take the chance with the engine being so old and hitting the water jackets. I should have this thing in by Mid- June or early July. My camaro have 3:73 gears in the rear and will be outfitted with a 700R4 with a Transco Shift Kit and a Vette Servo. so hopefully I can beat a 350.....HEHEHEHE,and come back and say we need to invest in a 283...... its probably have 9:5:1 compression and a very fast burst out the hole.
OPINION HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, TO INCLUDE CRITIZISM

 

Garrett,

If you want to be different, I'd agree with 5-7 that a 400SB would be different. You can take that all the way out to 426 cubes if you want. Unfortunately, the cost of a decent 400 SBC can be prohibitive, if you can even find a buildable one. Since the cranks are odd, flywheels are different, rods can be special, etc., building one can get pricey.

I would guess that for under $4k you could find an entire 1T truck with a 454 and a manual, bell, trans, clutch, and all. Building a BBC can be cheaper than aa 400 SBC, and if you don't need AC in the car, they can fit in the bay pretty easily. Find some aluminum BBC heads and intake, and the weight difference is only about 160 lbs. compared to a small block. You'll have plenty of torque for the ¼ and should get decent mileage if you can resist the temptation to put your foot in it and use upper gears. Do a little pricing of parts and supplies for all your theoretical options, and you might find that your choices are clearer.

 

just put a 400 in it, and get a TH350 trany

 

I'm thinking about building up a 400 for my 84' Z, what parts did you use to make yours?

 

You want cheap and fast? I went high 12's with my STOCK vortecs and Check out my motor setup on my bird. Got the vortecs used, friends at a marine shop ported them and did some work on them for next to nothing, and all the rest is basic speed parts, no frills, and most importantly, no EFI!! Dont' even think about going fast with TPI unless you've got an assload of money to flush down the toilet, and 14's is NOT fast IMHO. The formula is SO simple.

Here's what you do. Buy V-6 turd or V6 red neck camaro with blown motor for say.....$300?
Buy 100K junkyard 350 for $200,
rebuild with $200 Summit rebuild kit,
$200 machine work
Buy short shaft TH350 used from junkyard for $120
Get driveshaft made for $30-60 (using stock shaft to adjust length for TH350)
Get Comp cam 268 Extreme energy cam $99
PAW generic lifters $30
Get a friends old pushrods for free and heckle your way to other nonimportant engine parts for cheap.....
get new vortecs for $450
Vortec RPM intake $170
Used 750 double pumper...$100?
Hei and such parts would come with your $200 junkyard 350.....and say another $500 for various gaskets, and other crap I forgot to mention. Add it all up........and thats around $2500 and with a lincoln locker in your stock 3.42 (or maybe even you scored a 3.73 rear with that V6 turdgen) and the comp 268/vortec headed junkyard gem 350 with minimal interior the car should go deep 13's EASY. My friend has done it, I've done, and I know of one other person who has done it this way, granted I started with a Formula, but my car was still a 16 second car when I bought it.

 

Rage,we bought a junk 2 barrel carb 400.It was a standard bore,we had bored 30 over,put new rod bolts in the ****ty 5.5 length rods,used cast pistons,stock400 heads with a little clean up and put the intake and 4 barrel q-jet off the 350 on it.Nothing special,even a cheapo rv cam of some sort.

 

hey

 

If I was on a set budget and the main objective was to go fast among your others lose the Manual trans clause because the budget WILL get blown from replacing the tranny over and over so what to do;

Sell the tranny a T5 brings pretty good money.(Selling to guys who don't know better) This should bring enuff money for the trans and a good rebuild with a B&M shift kit.

Get a TCI streetfighter or equivelent converter. The TCI is a 3000 converter but is tight on the top end.

Exhaust regular old headman shorty headers sandblasted and painted with outdoor grill paint will last and not cost much have a nice dual 2 1/2 into 3" y-pipe made Use a stock 3" exhaust with a single cutout! SLEEPER (read no cops)

Build a 350 Basic rebuild .030 ,Vortec heads from scoggin Dickey with .550 lift springs,cast flat tops 345NP works good,Add a 274 extreme cam,TRUE Roller T.C.,750 DP.,Performer RPM, Self align Magnum roller tip rockers for the long slot at min.non computer distributerHEI with a curve kit.

Then you'll be searching for traction a Powertraxx powerlocker has proven bulletproof for me. Add at least a 8" wheel in the back with a 5" backspace will fit a 295/50/15 real nicely.


If you decide to use this let me know.

 

Lots of good info here. The only thing I can add is that the 383 stroker cranks can be had for under $200 plus another hundred or so for the different balancer and flexplate. Would add a boatload of torque to a 350 though you might want to use a 3.42 or 3.23 gear to make the most of it

 

Stick you a 454 in it, not many third gens have those. That would be one bad @ss third gen!!!!!! I have the 84 ho just like yours, only now mine has been swapped to a 355 that is anything but stock. Don't care if it is common or not as long as I kick some @ss. Besides, what is so cool about saying "Hey, I have a 283" after a 383 has stomped your @ss.

 

here's what ive got so far, and it seems to be around what you're lookin to spend. i got lucky and bought a sbc 400 for about $200-300. edelbrock performer was on it, but can be found for under $50 on ebay. did full exhaust for $500 (hooker catback, catco cat, hedman headers & y-pipe). i want vortec heads, $450 for the pair (but have to buy special manifold). i paid $2500 for my car. you can find em for cheaper, especially if its without a motor. posi unit from slp, around $100. not bad budget. box your lca's, get some nice rubber on there.

 

a 305 with a 3.750 crank and 30 over is a 334 stroker,not sure of the horse/ft/lbs tq but id say around 230 and 290 with that,maybe...the bore of a 305 is like 3.8 somthing,actually,i think its a lot less.it has the same crank as a 350 tho,3.48..so if you were to bore a 305 a shitload, and throw a stroker crank(3.750) in there,im sure you could build a 383,but that would not last long with tthe cylinder walls being so narrow..i think im pretty close to being correct,lol.

 

Ok here's something to think of I’ve had a sh*t load a small block cars. One of the fastest was a 69 DZ 302 4spd Z-28
One of the others was a 64 impala SS with a 327 4spd I agree a 305 stroked to a 334 or even a 340 would even be different.

Speed-o-motive is the only company that I know carries the 340 stroker kit for the 305. (Starting at 725.00) put on a good set of dart iron eagle heads the whole engine should come in under 2k.

If you want good street driving with neck snapping torque I’d use a dual plane intake 1500-5500 or 2500-6500 with a cam in the 218, 224 @.050 range. I know they’re hard to find but a good holly 780 cfm vac secondary but that’s if you’re ditching your computer.

As for the trans a turbo 350-400 or 700r4 with a non loc-up converter..That’s my