hey guys im new to the muscle car scene..only 19 years old and my life has revolved around diesel machines and trucks but my dad bought a 1969 chevelle about six years ago and we got as far as new paint job and exterior is all good and the interior is gutted..now it sat in the garage under cover since then and ive been wanting to get it going fast...it has a 307 in it but of course thats a little too weak for me...im about to finish college in december so i figured i would build an engine and drop it in by next summer...so i just want to know what can fit in the chevelle without having to do too trouble...any suggestion will work???

Get a crate 572, it'll slip right in and scare the h*ll out of you.

Ohhhh so many options. 383 is a popular motor and for good reason. Small blocks can be built up to 434ci without going aftermarket race blocks. Big block can be done also, but is usually more effort. 383 is popular due to being easy to build, good power, but can be used with relatively stock parts backing it up such as the rearend. Just about any motor can be put in that car. If you go on Autozone's website and start punching in model information you can see there were alot of different stock motor options. That doesn't even include all the stroker kit options that can be done to most motors.

Small blocks typically fit, with no problems. Big blocks will fit the same if they are standard deck height. Big blocks cramp the compartment more but it's worth it!

I dropped a 350 in my chevelle when I was 17 and it was fun, but short lived. I found myself building a big block shortly after and have never looked back!

i know that they put a 396 in the chevelle and i think they did it straight from the factory so im thinking of just finding a 396 and try to drop that in...or take a 350 and stroke it to s 383..i just want this chevelle on the street so i dont know about dropping a 572 in there..seems like just finding that engine from a junkyard will be difficult...so looks like a 383 or 396...just need to know what those engines can push

A 572 is a new 700hp race motor from GM. Won't find one of those in a junk yard.

Lots of power can be made from a 383, but once it is done you won't really be building it bigger. If you do go 396, 427, 454, you can always decide to make it bigger later on. If you go on dragtimes.com you can see some of the 1/4 mile times people are getting with different combinations.

What it can do depends on your goals. Are you looking for a certain time in the 1/4 mile? handeling? mpg? pure hp? Keep in mind the stronger the motor, the more expensive the parts that go with it get. Transmission, rearend, suspension, cooling system all become factors.

Plenty of threads here on TC on budget builds starting with Junk Yard 454's. Check out the performance section and do a search under budget builds.....Good Luck

Whooooooooa here a minute....you're 19 years old and in college....let me think a minute...I know that means not much $$$ to spend on this project, right????? Forget the crate motor...you're looking at cubic bucks as well as cubic inches, unless you're looking at a small block mild crate motor. I'd shop around for a good used 350 or 396 (either will bolt right in). Obviously the bigger the cubes the better but there's nothing wrong with a good running 350..it'll move your light weight Chevelle just fine and on a budget. If you can hear it run even better as you'll have a good idea what you're getting. If not there's always a chance you're in for a rebuild. If that's the case get it cheap and if you get lucky all the better. If you're into working on the motor find a 350 and stroke it to 383...add a mild cam, enough carb and you're on your way on a reasonable budget. Good luck.

I sort of agree with Bob. But my suggestion would be a 454. Right from the start it will equal a mildly built 350. Then the sky's the limit. After you get it running, You can save your money and upgrade. A stock 454 with the right cam and intake can easily make 450+hp. Then a good set of heads and your on your way past the 550hp mark. What you will have is a mild mannered street cruiser that can put down 11 second passes...

You could use any big or small block chevy you wanted. Since your familiar with Diesels, you could put a diesel in there too. They are making some killer horsepower now days, but with that option, you will have to do some fabrication. However, it has been done before in a Chevelle.