I just got this email from a friend and thought that I could get some expert input from you guys here first. He has a 68 ss 396 Thanks.


"john, yes any info or advice will be greatly
apreciated!!!, i am in the process of determining how best to restore my camaro. interior is in pretty good shape but missing orig. console, plan on haveing it replaced, 396 block is no good, is it best to buy new 396 block with the correct date code or go with a new
one, two tranny missing was told it had a muncie, dont know which, question is which one do i put back in would like to get one with correct date but do i want an m 20, m 22, or m 21?have been told that the m 20 is best for driving, but what about performance?,,
and what gear ratio do i want in the rear end? i think it has a 3.31 in it multi leaf shocks ok, plan on redoing the rear drums and front power disks, but do i need to upgrade ? also what can i do with the suspension to make it handle better and still keep it original?, everyone i talk too has diff ideas. i wont to keep it or make it as orig. as possible, but have been told that that isnt as important know as it used
to be???? would love to hear your ideas, will be
doing a frame off restoration but want it as a driver not a show car, not an everyday driver but sundays ect maybee a little light drag raceing to put my bother and his 67 gt in its place!!"

If he's not worried about origionality, go for a block that he can get.
Always liked m21's better.. more forgiving in shifts than a m22. 4sp m21 was stock for a 396 camaro.

3.55 is a good choice for the rears, good launch but also not high rpm on freeway.

replace the front springs as well as all suspension bushings. Buy the complete body bushing kit. This will include all the body bushings, suspension bushings for the "A" arms and leaf springs and front sway bar. This will tighten up about everything and make the car more responsive. The bushing kit is about $39. Springs about $150 or less for the pair.
As for the motor build, he'll have to go with what he feels. Orig manifold or aluminum. See if he can get a pair of 454 heads.

My bushing kit was about $170.00, not $39.00. I did get poly bushings though. I wouldn't trust a $39.00 kit. I would also have that block rechecked if it is the original. Maybe it only needs a sleeve. 3.31 gears are fine to start out with. It depends which 4 speed you go with. I wouldn't spend money to go from from 3.31 to 3.55. It is better spent in other areas.

thanks for the info, great site!!!!!!!plan on keeping it 99% orig. can anyone tell me the diff in driving a m21 vs m22 or m20? thanks halo 484

According the the "Almighty White Book". The Camaro with a 396 came stock with a m21. M21'are more forgiving than m22's in the shift due in part to the sincronization gears. M22 would be better for racing, but as your keeping it stock, I'd stay with the M21. Unfortunately I'm not familiar with an M20, but not sure it would be well suited for the 396 either. There are plenty of M21's for sale on ebay as well as on the Team Camaro sales pages.

Imho, an M-20, 3.31's and about 26.5" tall tires is just about perfect for turning tires AND running down the road for a stout BB!!

I'd drop down to 25.5" tall tires for a SB tho b/c of generally less overall grunt due to the smaller motor..

pdq67