Hello all, I am ready to build an engine for a 69 camaro that will be the sister to a 69 black 435/427 vette. It will pretty much just be a show car, I probably will never run it over 5500 rpm because it will run a factory A/C compressor. So far I have looked at everything from just a passenger car 454 block ($300-$500) that would need machine work etc , rebuild some used heads, decent crank etc, but it looks like I would still have $3000 into it:wtf: , not so appealing. Then there is the 454 HO from GM performance for about $5200??:thud: Then there is also another option which is probably the route I will take just for experiment, a Dart cast iron block $2200, Dart cast iron oval port heads $1400, Scat rotating assembly $800, + cam, gaskets, oil pan etc,:iagree: ughhhh! Starts adding up quick!!! Makes me want to just get a plain 454 remanufactured long block from Larry's etc for $2500, paint it and call it a day:cheers: :cheers: . Anyone starting to get my headache from all the different options. I have done some old school type small blocks years ago, 383 strokers etc, but never a big block other than the 427 in the 69 corvette, but that was all done by a machine shop and builder which I would never want to do again because of the cost, dated items BS etc.:mad: Also, I really am set on using a solid cam (LS6 type) for the nostalgia, noise and to be able to spend all my free time adjusting the lifters:smack: :willy_nilly: I dont like the price tag, but I am kind of itching to try adding a solid roller cam, and some simple roller rockers that would fit under the stock valve covers:rofl:, what can I say, I am addicted to the "clatter":iagree: Again, the motor is going into a pretty much show car, and just really need to look like a 427/435 that came in an Vette in 69, but it will be in a 69 SS camaro. Sorry for the long post, I just want some good info other than people telling me to put a blown 572 crate motor:wtf:

Not to burst your bubble, but why would you want to spend money on high dollar block crank heads on what ever, if its only going to be a show car and limited driver not being raced?

I'd just get a good quality 454 long block and change the camshaft with a more performance grind to get the performance and sound you want. If you put $3000 into a BB, thats not bad. Beleve me, a good flat top cammed up big block will run good. For me, dropping $6000 in a big block is normal. But thats the price you pay for 700hp.

One other thing you could do is swap the vette engine into the camaro and build a killer BB for the vette:cheers:

:iagree: If you want it to look good and its going to be a show car, and you dont want to have a shop build it, just have them do the machine work and build it yourself. i built my motor after getting all the work done to it and saved about 400 bucks, not much but its money better spent somewhere else i suppose.

Hah! What a poser! Why don't you just go back to ricers or pay someone who knows what they are doing. I bet you don't even own a car. Your probably 14 and your parents put a **** block on the computer and now you need something to do.

Building an engine correctly cost money. Building a big block is quite a bit more than a 350 chevy. I'll be the first to tell you that your $3000 is out of the question for all but a nearly stock cheaply done 454. Its not even close to realistic. Do you think you just go out and buy a new block and it doesnt need to be decked, cleaned, honed, clearanced, or cam bearings installed? Recipricating assemblies do not come balanced and ready for installation. Just make sure you arent getting into something thats over your head.

That 454 HO for 5k is a good deal. Warrantied, probably run forever for show car use, $200 delivered. You can always build it later, but for a show car engine, internals don't really matter! My $.02.
Dusty

Just buy a used 454 and clean it up and put all the ricer parts on it like the rest of the show car guys do.

If it is just really a show car, doesn't matter if the engine really works. Those people just push them off the trailer. All they have to do is look pretty. And crate motors are cookie cutter motors no different from anyone elses. Take your time and think out what you really want and especially if it depends on how much you can afford. Things of beauty often take time. So don't make a hasty decision. Oh, by the way, my husband builds motors and alot of those old school motors are pretty modern now, so don't count them out. There is nothing more pretty than a great old car with a great old motor that's been upgraded.