1980 El camino engine options
cherryelky305
11-29-2005, 06:03 PM
I recently obtained a 1980 elcamino with a 305 and 3-speed auto. I am interested in upgrading to a 427 or possibly a 454 engine. I would also like to drop a 4-speed or 5-speed manual trans into it. Wondering how difficult it would be and what options i have, i have looked but have been unable to find any definate answers to these questions. Not going to start working on it for a few years however would like to start planning now. any help would be greatly appreciated.
silicon212
03-22-2007, 04:46 PM
Gasoline will probably be $5/gallon if you wait too long.
Stick with a small block.
Stick with a small block.
67chevypickup
06-13-2007, 04:18 PM
i agree either go with a small block or 396 or 402 they are THE FASTEST big blocks there are i dont care what anybody says
comp
06-16-2007, 05:05 PM
Gasoline will probably be $5/gallon if you wait too long.
Stick with a small block.
i agree , a 383 with FI ,you will have a hard time hooking it up,,, and can still get some MPG so you can cruz it :smokin:
Stick with a small block.
i agree , a 383 with FI ,you will have a hard time hooking it up,,, and can still get some MPG so you can cruz it :smokin:
Spoot
07-01-2007, 07:12 PM
My '80 factory four-speed came with an LG4 305 4bbl. Now it's got a 350 but a 327 is in the works. I wouldn't want a BB454 because of the weight issues. You've got all motor in the front and nothing but a bed out back. I'd want it to handle well, and have a good balance. Well, not to mention the planned air ride kit it'll carve corners. Then theres the fuel issue, but i'm gonna stick to a carb.
comp
07-02-2007, 07:35 AM
My '80 factory four-speed came with an LG4 305 4bbl. Now it's got a 350 but a 327 is in the works. I wouldn't want a BB454 because of the weight issues. You've got all motor in the front and nothing but a bed out back. I'd want it to handle well, and have a good balance. Well, not to mention the planned air ride kit it'll carve corners. Then theres the fuel issue, but i'm gonna stick to a carb.
why the 327 ?
why the 327 ?
silicon212
07-02-2007, 10:29 AM
My guess is slightly better economy. I've been thinking about doing the same with my car.
It just takes a 350 two-piece rear main seal block, and a crank from a Chevrolet 307 (and the appropriate balancing).
It just takes a 350 two-piece rear main seal block, and a crank from a Chevrolet 307 (and the appropriate balancing).
70camino
07-04-2007, 01:31 PM
If you have the money, the drivetrain from a C6 ZO6 would be pretty wicked and get great gas mileage, otherwise I would go with a T56 and an EFI 383
cherryelky305
07-28-2007, 03:38 PM
Wow I havent been on in a while and forgot about this thread. Sorry. Well Im in the middle of an ls1 swap now. I should have about $7000 in it when its done. I have a thread going in the conversions section of ls1tech if anyone is interested. The new engine is in the car now, we're fabing up the cross member now. Some pics.
http://img45.imageshack.us/img45/5295/dsc2807bc0.th.jpg (http://img45.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc2807bc0.jpg)
http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/9613/dsc2815qs7.th.jpg (http://img201.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc2815qs7.jpg)
http://img120.imageshack.us/img120/1048/dsc2816hh2.th.jpg (http://img120.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc2816hh2.jpg)
http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/6509/dsc2830zr8.th.jpg (http://img528.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc2830zr8.jpg)
http://img165.imageshack.us/img165/5827/dsc3400hj0.th.jpg (http://img165.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc3400hj0.jpg)
http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/6486/dscn2406mi1.th.jpg (http://img341.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dscn2406mi1.jpg)
http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/7493/dscn2405jm5.th.jpg (http://img341.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dscn2405jm5.jpg)
http://img45.imageshack.us/img45/5295/dsc2807bc0.th.jpg (http://img45.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc2807bc0.jpg)
http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/9613/dsc2815qs7.th.jpg (http://img201.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc2815qs7.jpg)
http://img120.imageshack.us/img120/1048/dsc2816hh2.th.jpg (http://img120.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc2816hh2.jpg)
http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/6509/dsc2830zr8.th.jpg (http://img528.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc2830zr8.jpg)
http://img165.imageshack.us/img165/5827/dsc3400hj0.th.jpg (http://img165.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc3400hj0.jpg)
http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/6486/dscn2406mi1.th.jpg (http://img341.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dscn2406mi1.jpg)
http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/7493/dscn2405jm5.th.jpg (http://img341.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dscn2405jm5.jpg)
comp
07-29-2007, 11:19 AM
cool :smokin:
cherryelky305
10-12-2007, 06:01 PM
finishing up, its all mechanically done. just wiring to do now. I'm going mad with anticipation.
cherryelky305
10-18-2007, 09:39 PM
the car's running now by the way. Feel free to ask any questions.
comp
10-18-2007, 11:29 PM
the car's running now by the way. Feel free to ask any questions.
how is it running ?
how is it running ?
cherryelky305
10-19-2007, 12:47 AM
We got the engine started today, no leaks what so ever, not even an exhaust leak.
Only problem was we assumed that the PCM would ground out the fuel pump relay circut, when in fact it sends a signal, we just need to move one wire and it will work perfect.
We just jumped the relay to start the car. Sounds sweet.
Only problem was we assumed that the PCM would ground out the fuel pump relay circut, when in fact it sends a signal, we just need to move one wire and it will work perfect.
We just jumped the relay to start the car. Sounds sweet.
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