Particular Engine for Particular Needs
 

Well, I have recently purchase a straight-bodied, although high mileage '86 Monte Carlo SS. The motor is on its way out, so, I am looking for an upgrade (not like I would keep the 305ci in there anyway). Well, I am looking for 93 octane street/strip setup. A very all-purpose motor on a budget but with a mean top-end. I don't want or need a motor that screams all the way to 9k, but a motor that will rev safely to 6.5k(maybe more) and wont get left in the dust by modern EFI V8s above 90MPH. I've got a few opinions, ranging from basic 350ci setups to 383's to a very interesting 406. So I'd figure I'd ask, what would be a good starting point? I know heads and cam generally dictate how a motor moves up top, but I don't want to sacrifice a whole lot of the "throw you into your seat" torque that a fun street car should have, so, I don't to take any short-cuts on the bottom end, and want to stay away from over-camming the motor. Anyway, any and all help/opinions are welcome and appreciated. Thanks.

To tell you the truth (dispite the fact that I ablolutely dispise the optispark) for what you are looking for, an LT1/T56 or LT1/4L60E depending on manual/Auto preferences would get you where you want to be. They regulary spin up to 7 grand, but are still small block chevy based. Parts are easy to come by. And it's a pretty straighforward bolt in operation, with only minimal fab work required to make it fit. You could keep most of your stock power steering and AC components with minimal need for adapter fittings. With a ZZ409 (very street friendly) or ZZ9 (not so street friendly) cam you can get that low end grunt you want and still have plenty of top end. The heads are not bad in stock form, but respond well to porting work. On top of that there is plenty of support in F-body and B-body forums.

I mention it because I am in the middle of helping my brother do an LT1/T56 swap into his '86 Monte SS, so I know what we've had to do to get it there.

Just my .02

Funny you say that because the current project car I have is a complete, super good running 94 Camaro, equipped with an LT1 and a T56. The body is pretty beat, doesn't have airbags and was very much a impulse by, and might not even have a clear title. The ONLY reason I'm not working on that is because I cannot afford the insurance. I actually thought about it, but I borrowed the money from my father to buy it (only payed $1500 for it) and I told him I wanted to just swap the motor but he is against because he wont be getting back the few hundred I owe him AND I would have nothing to do with the body of the car minus a motor and trans.

Shame to...I have the perfect donor car and I literally payed pocket change for the Monte. But question, it really isnt to much fab work? Not that I couldn't do it, but I don't have the time for extensive fab work. But if it isnt to much, I'd jump on it (situation not withstanding)...I'm VERY familiar with the LT1, and if I had that in the Monte I'd be set.

Well... if the Camaro is beat up, and you got it for so little, it would be worth waiting and getting that paid for so you can swap the motor out. Having a complete donor car would make your job very much easier as all the little parts would be there.

well if i were you is just swap that lt1/t56.. it is prety much a question of just installing it allong with the wiring, radiator, brakes, seats, gauges... and if you find the money in a pillow somwhere buy a procharger on racingjunk or ebay!

which ever way you go make sure the rest of the drivetrain can take the power and bigger brakes to stop it. good luck let us know which way you go.