Engine decision...

[Charley Lillard]

"Ok guys, I love my Camaro but I want to change the motor. Kyle thinks I should keep a small block, but I love the way a big block looks and feels in a old muscle car. I know it won't handle as well, but I'm not going to track it. I thought about twin-turbo Ls2 ect., but I just want a mean sounding ground shaking big block."



He is not going to track it so the torque should not be a issue. The 532 would be hard to track because of all the torque but it makes a killer street car.

[shmoov69]

Ok, here is my take. The car will prolly not be tracked, just cruised and drove hard like most of us. You got the money (I'm assuming!). There is nothing like the sound of a big honkin' 800 inch engine!
YEAH BABY!!

[Stuart Adams]

Aluminum Big Block, EFI, sounds good. Especially if you want less weight, BB torque, and great sound. SW, still driving the Trans AM?

[Streetking]

Aluminum Big Block, EFI, sounds good. Especially if you want less weight, BB torque, and great sound. SW, still driving the Trans AM?

Yes Stuart, drove it yesterday. I heard about you new project, it should be really killer...

hope everthing is well,

SW

[Steve Chryssos]

He is not going to track it so the torque should not be a issue. The 532 would be hard to track because of all the torque but it makes a killer street car.

Let's play out this scenario:
Step 1: Weaken rear frame rails to make room for 13" wide 335's
Step 2: Install 13" wide 335's
Step 4: Add monster torque.
Step 5: Put that crazy texas throttle jockey behind the wheel.

Notice I skipped Step 3: Add chassis reinforcement. Recommending big torque at low rpm without also recommending chassis reinforcement is just plain irresponsible. Track or not, the car will get tweaked.
Your silver car was probably the first to be built around 335's. But the tires are part of a complete and balanced design including matching 275 front rubber and a roll cage. Engine output makes use of the rear tire section width, but not at the expense of the chassis. The Red Witch is similarly equipped.

So hopefully-while at DSE, SW's car will receive the missing links. As of this post, SW has not made any mention of chassis reinforcement, so my input leans towards an engine combination that raises the power band while still fulfilling his desire for a big block.

God I hate bench racing.
/Steevo