getting started...

I must explain some details for you to get the whole picture. I write on this forum on behalf of my boyfriend, who's got a few problems with English language :)

So far he's been working on european Ford Capri (for the last 10 years). Here are some pictures of his work, I hope you like it:
- http://www.zupdesign.com/camaroforum/cap1.jpg
- http://www.zupdesign.com/camaroforum/cap2.jpg
- http://www.zupdesign.com/camaroforum/cap3.jpg
- http://www.zupdesign.com/camaroforum/cap4.jpg
- http://www.zupdesign.com/camaroforum/cap5.jpg
- http://www.zupdesign.com/camaroforum/cap6.jpg
- http://www.zupdesign.com/camaroforum/cap7.jpg
- http://www.zupdesign.com/camaroforum/cap8.jpg
- http://www.zupdesign.com/camaroforum/cap9.jpg
- http://www.zupdesign.com/camaroforum/cap10.jpg
- http://www.zupdesign.com/camaroforum/cap11.jpg
- http://www.zupdesign.com/camaroforum/cap12.jpg

Now he's decided to move on on a new project - Chevrolet Camaro. He bought '87with 5.0 V8 carburated engine and 5-speed manual trans.
- http://www.zupdesign.com/camaroforum/cam1.jpg
- http://www.zupdesign.com/camaroforum/cam2.jpg
Because this engine is in quite poor shape, he intends to buy and import from USA to Europe whole new engine. Curently he is making a list of necessery parts, that he has to order. He doesn't have much experience with such engines, so he's got a few problems completing that list. That's why we turned to you guys. He wishes to make a complete list of parts, so that he can order them in one piece (which takes 5 weeks to arrive to EU) with no need to order again.. So here's the problem - there are some pieces and parts, that he doesn't know what they are for, what is their purpouse, does he really need them... There are very few people in our country with such knowledge that you guys have. Furthermore, he's heaving problems with choosing some known parts from his catalog.. I hope you understand his situation and If you are so kind to give him some answers. Any opinion and advice is welcome.

So here we go - his list of parts:

- 388 Stroker Chevy SB specialty kit (PAW catalog, page 64) long block kit : picture: http://www.zupdesign.com/camaroforum/PAW_narocilo.jpg
->which are better, flat top pistons or dished style pistons?
->which heads are more suitable - 76cc or 64cc?

-Summit 7-quart Oil Pan -> does dipstick come with the packege or do I have to order it?

-Headers: I would like "full length" headers, but there are only "Shorty-style" in catalogs.. Why is that so? My exhaust sistem wil be custom made, so the only thing that's important about headers is that they do not interfere with power-steering or chasis... There will be no catalytic converter in this sistem. Would these be suitable: http://store.summitracing.com/default.asp?target=esearch.asp&N=100&Ntk=PartSearch&Ntt=big-11100flt ?

- Edelbrock Performer RPM intake manifold + cam kit

- Holley 650 CFM double pumper

- Holley Blue Electric Fuel Pump + regulator kit

- Summit Chrome plated, full size, Offset Starter for Chevy (anything to be careful about when ordering?)

- Alternator Magnum 80 amp (What does "With Billet Bracket" stand for - what does it mean)

- water pump (what is the difference between short style and long style pump) (anything speceific here?)

- TH 400 transmission (used, not new - bought through yellow pages and used parts catalog. What are approximate prices in your used parts catalogs?

- B&M SuperCooler kit for transmission oil

- Derale Engine Oil Cooler Kit

- K&N performace Gold oil filter

- ARP engine bolt kit - (http://store.summitracing.com/default.asp?target=esearch.asp&N=100&Ntk=PartSearch&Ntt=arp-534-9601) Are there any screews needed?

- MR Gasket Quick-Change Timing cover kit

- Valve covers + Wing Nuts + Breather (how many do I need - one or two?)

- Summit Harmonic Damper - Question: How essential is this part for engine's performance? Is there a major difference between OEM Harmonic damper and other more expensive options. What is the difference between "internal balance damper" and "external balance damper"?

- shifter - Which do you recommend? Would it be OK if I installed a used one from original camaro configuration?

-roll-cage


Is that everything I need, am I forgeting anything?

Thank you for your patience reading this essay, but I really need help. If I don't get it from you guys, I'm gonna need something more professional. Mental institution would be nice :)

For the pistons and heads he has to know what the final compression ratio will be with each. Usually, the flat tops and 64cc heads will give you streetable ratios, but not always. He is going to want to be 10.5:1 compression ratio or less but not lower than 9:1 or power out put will suffer.

The dipstick will NOT come with the oil pan, also make sure you get the proper dipstick (left hand or right hand) for the engine.

The reason that he is finding mostly shorty headers for the car is because of clearance issues, with the under hood components and the ground.
The exhaust systems on the third generation Camaro's & firebirds are usually a 2 into 1 single exhaust with a 3 inch pipe. The reason is the routing the pipes must take, there is no room under the car to run an exhaust pipe down the driver's side and a custom dual exhaust is very expensive and hard to fit under the passenger side (it can and has been done).
Most of the other parts look fine that you have listed.
The water pump, a short pump is for an early V8, he is going to need a long style.

The alternator may be a bit small for what he is planning. GM put in 104 amp alternators in the third gen F bodies.
"with billet bracket" means that it comes with a billet alumnium mounting bracket.
Just get an alternator for that year of car and everything will be fine. Is he going to use the factory serpentine belt setup? If so he doesn't need an alternator with a bracket anyway.

A harmonic damper is VERY essential to the health of the engine. If the engine is going to be run at 5000+ RPMs a lot you'll need to get an SFI approved damper. If it isn't going to be run as an all out race car then an OEM damper would probably do fine.

Valve covers...you need 2, and they are almost always sold as a pair for a V8 engine.

The TH 400 transmission might be a bit of over kill for that engine and harder to find. A TH 350 should be easier to get and will perform well.
The shifter...you won't be able to use the factory shifter because the factory auto transmission was a 4 speed and the TH400/350's are 3 speeds, though I suppose with some modification you might be able to get to work.

The starter... make sure to get the correct one, for 153 or 168 tooth flex plate..and speaking of flex plates..you'll need one of them too.

The engine bolt kit is just that..for the engine. He'll also need bolts for the torque converter and for the torque converter to engine mounting.
You'll also need a torque converter made for the transmission you choose and in the proper stall range.

Oh, some other things...subframe connectors, not REALLY needed if you have a roll cage but they will help with the stiffening of the frame. A strut tower brace comes to mind also.
And with all of that power he is going to need a much stronger rear end than the factory 10 bolt. And the suspension system should be upgraded too. Along with new engine mounts, transmission mounts, torque arm bushings, solid panhard rod, solid trailing arms, a wonder bar, a complete front end kit.

There are really a ton of things that need to be done, and to do them all at once will cost a fortune

Theres a 5 litre camaro?

yup 305 cubes equals 5.0 liters.