Thread: 71 Camaro engine choice advice

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If you keep the small block, seriously consider a retro fit roller cam. Howards has about the least expensive ones I've found and they allow you to run a stock distributor gear. I know flat tappet cams are still around, but they do have problems with modern oils. Having an engine that sits a lot makes the problem worse IMO because the oil film on the cam lobes pretty much dries up between starts and results in dry starts.

The crate engine I would go with is the L30 Vortec replacement. It's about a grand more than the cheap GM ones, but comes with Vortec heads and a roller cam. The only downside is the need for a Vortec intake and a "Melonized" distributor gear.

Of course, now you're getting squarely into LS money. The salvage yards have plenty of 5.3 truck engine/trans combos and it's very hard to do any kind of decent rebuild on a SBC for what you can get an LS for. Especially when you start talking roller cam and new heads. The power potential of even a 5.3 LS is the simple reason they're taking over. The SBC currently sits right where the Flathead Ford did in the late 50's. Don't get me wrong, I love the small block and have enough stuff laying around to build a couple of engines if needed, but probably won't.