Well I have finally decided to restore the old RS. The Body is in great shape Rust wise. Absolutely no Rust underneath still has White paint. So I have a couple of delemas

What engine and trany to put in it? (currently 2.8L 5speed)
I was thinking maybe a 327 as this would allow for hotrod status in the e test. Probably a 5 speed of some sort.

What can I do to the exterior to jaz it up a bit?
I was thinking maybe a lexan targa top (bolt in with gasket?)

I have a posi disc brake rearend that I picked up so that will be going in for sure.

I am going to make subframe connectors and install with a roll bar.

What am I going to drive in the mean time any suggestions on a winter beater?

Here's a pic of what it looks like now.

What do you suggest.

 

Still dont know anything for sure about hot rod status, every other person seems to say something basically the same but a little bit different... For an affordable winter beater I would go with an eagle talon/plymouth laser. For a bit more power and fun find a tsi 5 speed.

 

400 small block A 400 would be even easier to get "Hot Rod Staus" on.

 

i concer. i know where you can get a 400 sbc, 4 bolt mains

 

oh.........and some true dual exhaust with hooker aerochambers

 

Agreed, go with a 400. Go big or go home

 

The 400 small block would be a good choice prbably but arnt they a little slugish off the line?

What about a 4litre olds aurora all aluminum?

Anybody know where to get an aluminum sbc block?

 

we all agree you need a 400. just as long as you can beat jason. thats all that maters.

"but arnt they a little slugish off the line?"
i dont think they are but, if they were the HP will make up for it.

theres a guy in KW with a 400 block. on top he has a super ram, TPIS base,TB, cam, head work and 24lb injectors that pulls over 500HP and 550 FP
he said its real nice off the line

 

I just put a 406 small block in my 86 Z28 with a t-5 transmission and it dosent seem to hesitate at all off the line it pulls hard all the way to 4500 havent really taken it past that yet it only has 550 miles on it so far. You would be very happy with a 400 get yourself some nice heads, decent camshaft and your on your way to atleast 400-450 HP. Almost certainly a 12 second car if you can hook up... my car has a huge traction problem all that tourqe likes to spin those tiny tires.

 

406 (400 .30 over)
Eagle SIR 5.7 Rods
Stock Cranksaft
Keith Black Signature series pistons .30 cc dish
Comp cams .447/.480 lift .268/ .280 duration
64cc 350 heads with steam holes drilled 1.94/1.50 valves
Edelbrock Perfromer RPM intake
750 Edelbrock Perfromer Carb
Roller tip rockers
Hedman Headers


The only thing you will have a problem with is your transmission... you need to get a 305-350 12 3/4 flywheel and have it unbalanced for the 400, because the 14 inch 400 flywheels which are 168 tooth will not fit in the stock t 5 bellhousings... also 400 blocks have a staggered mount starter and you will have to drill and tap your block so you can use a standard starter... it all goes back to having to use the smaller flywheel, they do not make a stagered mount starter for 153 tooth flywheels. It is not hard to drill and tap the block as long as the motor is not in the car i made the mistake of putting the motor in and then finding out.

 

I vote 377. If I was ever going to do an all out build, I'd want something that could spin. If you wanna get crazy, go aluminum.

FYI a 377 is a destroked 400 (I'm sure most of you guys knew that . )

 

camarokev400 That is a nice ride. the 406 sounds pretty awesome for power too.

The 377 Idea sounds neat but It would probable be quite a bit more expensive as you need to by special bearing spacers etc.

People tell me that the 327 would not pull a camaro off the line at the drags. Why NOt?? 300 - 350 horespower with the camel hump heads and there is a complete engine in the tri ad for $200

 

Throw a 3/4 cam in there and you've got yourself a hot ride

 

haha wouldnt go too radical on the cam or you will be doing some serious grinding on the rods.... i know i had to take a fuz off almost all of mine and my cam isnt that big.

 

LOL X eleventy billion!