I just bought at a local swap meet a 1978 Chevy El Camino with a Generation 6 454 in it and a 700R4 transmission. I got it with the trailer and for a great price. It runs beautiful. Im going to getting my chevelle painted here soon so that will free up some time to do some things to my El Camino.

Couple quick questions. I have only owned a 66 el camino which we sold to painless wiring which was there yellow and black commercial car that they gave away and have wanted one since then.


1978 El Camino compared to a SS El Camino of that year. What are the differences? Mine is silver on top and black on the bottom. Wouldnt mind making a clone. From what I understand they didn't make a Royal Knight that year either wouldnt mind doing that as well.

Help me out EL CAMINO guys.:thumbsup:

Definately not an expert, but I'm under the impression that the SS option was simply an appearance package in '78. Front air dam and big "Super Sport" decals down the bottom of the door come to mind.

My father has a silver/black '78 SS that he purchased brand new with only 37,000 miles on the odometer. Been garaged its whole life. The Super Sport decals and pinstriping for his are 3 shades of orange (light, medium, and dark). He still has the Super Sport decal on the tailgate but removed the huge decal from the sides shortly after purchasing it in '78.

The insides of the rectangles in the grille are blacked out if I remember correctly. The passenger side of the dash has an attractive "El Camino SS" chrome emblem as well. My father's features the gauge package also, but I'm not sure if it was exclusive to the Super Sports in '78.

Go to www.elcaminocentral.com for info reference to 5th gens. They are all up on those years.

Thanks guys I really appreciate it.

you can also check other G-body forums like http://gbodyforum.com/viewforum.php?f=7

Didn't the SS have a V8 that year or no?

Didn't the SS have a V8 that year or no?
i think it was only 305s

i think it was only 305s

A 350 V8 was available. But it required automatic,power steering,high altitude equipment and a 2.73 rear. It was not available in California.

anyone know how to get a new exhaust manifold in ca..for my 78..or do i have to goto pick n pull? since i still have to smog it.or is there any otherway to convert it without spending to much money..thx.

A 350 V8 was available. But it required automatic,power steering,high altitude equipment and a 2.73 rear. It was not available in California. This is incorrect. I purchased a 78 new in California with a 350 / 4BBl. It had auto trans, A/C, PS/PB...One way to tell a 350 from the 305 was that the 350 had two tailpipes coming from the muffler, where the 305 had only one. Don't know about the high altitude...I bought it in Sacto CA and that's about as close to sea level as you can get.

The SS in 5th gen El Caminos was an apperence package only. And I believe they included the guage package also.....But I'm not sure on that.
As was said before the guys over at El Camino Central would be able to give you any info you need. The fifth gen guys have pretty taken over that site.

The SS El Camino was only an appearance package as said above ^. All of the gauges staid pretty much the same. Only real difference is that they took out the clock in the gauges after I think 81 or 82. Other then that and maybe it might of came stock with a 350 you would not know the difference if it did not have the SS decals.