What route to go with my engine....

[Hrod382]

I have a 69 Camaro which has a decent size cam in an original 70 camaro 350/300hp. I bought a DZ 302 motor a while back which just got looked over from an engine guy. My question is should I finish putting together the 302 and maybe get a solid lift setup and aluminum heads or just hold out a while, sell both motors and build a 383? My budget is a concern as I just finished my car and I owe on it so money is a large concern. Anyone out there mess with the z motors to know how much more potential they have than stock? I know I could part it out and make a decent coin on it and if there's not a lot of HP left to be gained I would prefer to go a different route.

[KacyZ28]

everyone ive talked to downed the 302 motors on the street due to lack of torque and if its a real dz block id say sell it to a collector cause they are worth some coin

[Hrod382]

Well it would be a street/strip setup so I'm not as concerned with how quick it is on the street. I have the complete shortblock only the block itself is a replacement block which obviously is no DZ block but I'm considering going this route because a big compression motor would be nice and I already have this one as opposed to spending a large amount of money on a 383.

[USAZR1]

Well,it's your car but the only substitute for cubic inches is cubic dollars.

[wendell]

Post the casting #s and dates for the heads, distributor, alt... (all the DZ stuff) on camaros.net. You'll soon find that you either don't have a DZ motor or you have thousands in parts that could be sold to built anything you can dream up.

[Hrod382]

I'm 100% sure I have correct DZ crank, pistons and rods but my replacement block just kills the value. I already made money on the intake ($300) and it was an l89 or whatever the high HP 327s were in 60's vettes. Paid $850 for the setup knowing only the shortblock was original and so far i've made $600 off of the heads and intake but I owe on the interior for my car. I think I just need to fess up the cash and put together a 383, what especially is killing the 302 is that my car is an auto and I don't want to cut it up to put a stick in it....

[graycamaro]

Yeah a 383 is a good choice and are not as expensive as you might think. Find a good machine shop and talk to them about buying a 383 engine kit. Expense depends on which way you went Internally ballanced, Externally ballanced, stock or aftermarket rods, forged or hyperuetectic pistons.