i plan to let someone tear down my engine and build it back up with performance in mind, ive already talked to the guy and he really knows his stuff. but if im going to spend thousands letting a professional do it id at least like to have a piece of mind in picking the cam, pistons, etc etc myself instead of letting him do it for me. i dont know alot about the internal parts of the engine (such as compresion, cam lobe etc etc) and im having trouble finding useful info on selecting parts for my car (95 3.4 camaro). are there any useful books or sites i can go to that i can read and better understand what it is i want? thank you for your suggestions

start with mortec.com

THANK YOU SOOOOO MUCH....that was EXACTLY what i was looking for. that website rocks. out of all the camaro websites i go too this one actually helps me with what i need, not just a bunch of people bitchin at one another. kudos to this website and everyone on it. thank you again, that website is more than what i was looking for http://www.camaros.net/forum/smile.gif

Easy now, you're going ta swell our heads, but you are RIGHT. IMHO. pdq67

If you are going to "spend thousands" you might consider a crate engine or shortblock, most of them come with warranties, which is a real good thing....just my two cents worth.
do the cost research and do what is best for you.

It is interesting that I usually see ( when documented ) that a crate is less expensive and you get a warranty. Car Craft has done a few. Unless you have alot of good parts to swap over, I think a crate is a good deal.

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Rick Dorion
69 RS Conv,355,M20,4.10's and I don't worry about stone chips.

It's nice to pick the parts yourself. BUT remember you may be giving the builder an out if something goes wrong with the parts you chose!
He can say "you selected that part not me" when it fails.

I think you need to say when all the parts are slected. Is this a package you can stand behind?
I question spending money on a small engine like that. You could swap in a V8 for less.
David

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Check my web page for First Gen Camaro suspension info:
David's Motorsports page (http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/David_Pozzi/)
First Gen Suspension Page (http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/David_Pozzi/first_gen_suspension.htm)
67 RS 327
69 Camaro Vintage Racer
65 Lola T-70 Chev 350 Can-Am Vintage Racer

I've built alot of engines (at lest 100) and the trick to a good hi-performance engine is the combination of the right parts put together and the quality of the machine work done. You will always get better machine work if you use a performance shop because they will take the extra care needed and their equipment is usally superior to regular machine shops. You will be happier with the new hi-performance crate engines that are available today because they have the right parts to perform on todays pump gas. Unless you plan on building an all out RACE ENGINE, thats the way to go.