What is the best starter engine

[Link]

I have a 79 El Camino and I was wondering what engine to swap into it it also has a th400 transmission

 

[pontiacgp]

You should introduce yourself and post a few mandatory pictures of your El Camino. As far as what engine you should use that depends on what your budget is and what power you want. Your choices are a V6 to a V8 BB

 

[Link]

You should introduce yourself and post a few mandatory pictures of your El Camino. As far as what engine you should use that depends on what your budget is and what power you want. Your choices are a V6 to a V8 BB

 

[Link]

I want a sbc that can make decent horsepower naturally aspirated I don't know if there's a better choice to get a 400 or at 355

 

[Link]

Or even the 5.3 or LS3

 

[Qdub24]

What engine is in it now?

 

[64nailhead]

Are you buying a long block, building from a bare block, looking for a transplant, or what?

The best bang for the buck in a package deal is going to be a something along the lines of an aluminum headed roller 383 Gen 1 if your skill level is not upto completing a full rebuild. For $5-6K you can easily find a 425+HP 383 with a warranty that will be quite streetable. Of course there is nothing wrong with most any platform built to a spec that you want that fall within your budget.

 

[565bbchevy]

Good starter engine with a warranty and makes about 287 horsepower with 4 barrel and headers.
Easy swap if you already have a SBC.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/CHEVROLET-10067353-GM-Goodwrench-350ci-Engine-OEM-PERFORMANCE-DEALER-DIRECT/291443660544?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649

 

[Longroof79]

Again, it depends on your budget. A basic sbc crate engine would be your best bang for the buck.
Now, how about an introduction...and a few pics of what you're working on?

 

[motorheadmike]

Buy this now! On sale! I went mid-12s with something similar! Go! Do it!

http://www.jegs.com/i/Chevrolet-Performance/809/12530283/10002/-1