New Motor

[92646]

I have had 3 motors in my 1969 Camaro over the last 2 years. The first was a mild 454 that came with the car that ran good but was boring. The second motor was a crate LS6 454 that I built to look like a 396 L-78 at first glance but I wanted more horsepower. The latest motor is a Bill Mitchell 540 that cost around $10,000 to buy and I spent a whole bunch more to make it work in my car. I had to tweak or upgrade almost everything from different hoods, motor mounts, fuel pumps, radiators, fans, brackets, fan belts, headers, exhaust systems, clutch set ups, fuel lines, valve covers and air cleaners. It has been a steep learning curve and I can still find things that I want to do over again because of something I learned along the way. The quality and the horsepower for the dollar are hard to beat with the Bill Mitchell crate motors. But I have yet to go full throttle in the car because I am afraid of breaking something on the car or damaging the car. My problem is that I do not want to modify the car past the point of being able to put it back to stock some day. There is such a thing as too much horsepower in a stock frame camaro and it can get very expensive very quickly. I have had GM high performance crate motors in the past and I always felt that the motors never quite met my expectations of quality and performance. I would recomend that you stay with the motor in your car and build it. If I had to do it over again I would have stayed with the LS6 454 because it was better matched with my car.
Mark Sheppard

[Salvatore]

Hey Bill, Why would you NOT rebuild the parts you have already? Those parts are hard to come by. Keep what you got and freshen it up. JMO. Sam

[BillD]

OK, Thanks for the help. I was actually thinking that I could sell what was in there and go with a crate type motor and end up ahead of the game both on $ and performance. I think Mark put the disadvantages of that plan in very good perspective.

[WILMASBOYL78]

Bill, the only thing you might consider is using some oval port heads instead of the 840's. For a street driven car the low end torque is much better. A good set of oval ports with a professional valve job will really make the motor fun. Keep the compression reasonable so you can utilize pump gas. You didn't say anyhing about what cam you have or might use on the rebuild. Lots of good stuff out there today depending on your budget. If you like solids, the L78 "163" unit is hard to beat. Good luck.

wilma

Ps let me know if you need some oval port heads, I have a couple of sets in the shop.

[Kim_Howie]

I would sell what you have. Buy the crate motor and pocket the diff.

[ORIGLS6]

And I'll bet you know someone who would buy all that "Old Stuff".

(Like you need any more.............. )

[Salvatore]

[ QUOTE ]
I would sell what you have. Buy the crate motor and pocket the diff.

[/ QUOTE ]I don't think you really mean that. Unless........he would sell to you!

[Kim_Howie]

Why take the chance of blowing up a 512 block and 840 heads. Just go buy a 454 build it up with oval ports. My gibb nova was a oval port 427. 500 hp on the dyno. PS I have 40 big blocks laying around now. I don't need anymore.