Big or small block? Help me decide!

I am restoring a 67 ElCamino. It has the original 283 with a Powerglide. I want to drop a new crate 454 in but I have been told there are alot of disadvantages to having a big block. I dont care about original I am building this car/truck for me and my son. The 350 crate motor has been highly recomended because of the availability of aftermarket upgrades.
 Any suggestions and advice would be appreciated!
Chris  

Whoever told you about the 350 is a smart person. Because the 350 was so popular back in the late 60's early 70's and still very popular today there are a bundle of aftermarket parts for the 350. But you see the same amount of abundance in 454 parts also since that was made stock for some SS chevys back in '69, '70, and '71. Now depending how high you go on horepower for the 454 you might have to add some chassis parts to strengthen the frame. If you want a daily driver 350 than you wouldn't have to make any adjustments to the frame of in the engine compartment because they are both the same motor just different bore and stroke combination. You can still make 400 horses with a 350 with no problem running gasoline and be a good daily driver. Have fun picking either way you are going to get good results.  

big blocks are more costly to work with, but for brute horsepower and torque, they are hard to beat. a mild 454 can make 400 horsepower and 450lbft of torque without a problem. unless you want to work with one of the newer LS1(3rd gen)small blocks,its hard to make that kind of power without a big cam,a very good set of heads,and more compression in a 1st design small block.so it all comes down to if you want to drive the car everyday and get good gas mileage,or have a weekend toy to terrorize the neighborhood with as to what engine to use.  

Another option is to do a performance build with the 283 you've got. It can make a respectable performer.

The guys are right above, avoid the big block. With gas prices giving us nosebleeds, if you want ot be able to drive the car more than once a month, go with the small block. A good performing 327 or 350 will make your Elky fun to drive, and not hurt your wallet when it comes itme to fill it up.  

I thought seriously about building the 283. I was watching "Horsepower TV" on the Spike channel and the guy said "with todays technology there is no sense in using a 283" He said go with the 350. I am not looking to enter The World of Wheels or to ever take it to Barrett-Jackson, so originality of the engine isnt that important to me. I will keep the motor just in case after I am dead my son needs to sell it but I am all about making it fast and sharp!  Thanks for your help. 350 It shall be! I think 67 was the first year of the 350 anyway so I aint that far off!  

Yes, '67 was the first year of the 350, but it was only available in the Camaro as part of the new car's launch.  

I am partial to big blocks because they have the tq and hp. However small blocks have come a long way and I have seen more than a fair share of small blocks do very well at the track. it's really up to you. Big blocks are going to cost more for parts but if you ever sell the car big blocks tend to attract certain people since they aren't as common  

I agree with using the 454/450 crate motor you won't be disappointed. I have had many 350 cid and a couple of 383 cid motors in my cars that were fine. I now have 454/500+ hp motor in my 1967 RS Camaro that runs on pump gas. I have had it for 11 years now. I couldn't go back to driving it with a small block for anything. As for cost for parts unless your building an all out race motor they are reasonable. Use Summit Racing or Jeg's for performance parts. As they say fell the power! You would be leaving your son a more valuable classic!  

I'd still go with the small block. You can build a 400 HP small block (or get a similarly rated crate motor) for an economical price, it'll make your Elky scoot, and not kill your wallet at the gas pump.  

The epic battle will never end. I am still undecided LOL!! I have found a 66 Caprice with a 396 and a turbo 400. The car is a little rough but the engine will turn over and it has some really nice bucket seats. The guy wants 2200 for the car. I havent tried negotiating yet,I am sure he would take less. I am thinking about buying the other car,doing an engine and tranny swap and selling the Caprice.  

my father has a 66 elcamino that orignally came with a 396 and a muncie 4 speed, the original 396 was removed from it a long time ago and it ran for many years with a 300hp 350 in it. the 350  was great in it, it has since been transplanted into my 69 landcruiser where it still runs great 10 years after the transplant. about 6 years ago my father located another 396 for the el camino. There are some differences between the small block and big block chevelle and el caminos, the big block el caminos and chevelles typically had 12 bolt rear ends and add reinforcement to the frame due to the added hp and torque of the engine and a slightly different hood ( a small block hood can still be used with a big block). as for mount location and most other components under the hood carried over, less the radiator and small block engine components. You can go either way with the engine. As for coolness factor and possible resell I would say the big block. The gas mileage thing isn't really a big deal if you think about it a 400 hp 350 is going to have similar fuel consumption to a 450hp 454 both are probably be about 8-10 mpg.  

Im partial to big blocks, as time and time again, they prove themselves entirely worthwile. If the car came originaly with a small block, some extra work will have to be done, but it's totaly worth it! Check out my youtube videos, the search is (A169KL). Check out the dually, that is a 468 (454 .060). 9.5:1 comp ratio, forged rotating assembly, hydraulic roller cam, 049 large oval heads with a bowl blend and gasket match, headers and dual 2.5 exhaust. Makes an easy 450HP and 550lbs torque. Still gets 10-12 MPG. Truck used to have a 350 that didnt do any better on the gas, and with wet leaves being thrown under the tires, still couldnt smoke them. The other engine on youtube is one I finished for my project 1980 Camaro. That one should be around 550HP and 550lbs torque. SICK! Maybe the videos will sway your decision to the world of big blocks. Good luck  JW.  

small block parts are cheaper, the problem with a 454 is breaking everything plus elco's have traction problems to begin with, get a motor less heads a spend money on a serious set of heads 10.1 comp 490" lift and you'll make 500hp and have a scary elco also put a posi rearend in it if it doesn't have it