El Camino Search

i'm looking into getting a el camino i just want some input before i get serious. but first of all i want one i can put the Monte SS front on for the "choo choo Custom" look i'm not positive as to what year el camino i need if anyone know for SURE let me know. and second i have been having trouble finding one with the 350 in it in the 80s body style, seems to be more 305s. i was really looking for a small 350 to do a twin turbo kit but i might be able to settle with a 305 if they are good to mod just want some good input on that. well i'll leave it with that for now.

                                   JAG Customs  
JAG Customs

The model years 1978  thru 1987 all have pretty much the same sheetmetal, the Monte SS nose will fit any of those. If you come across a mid '80s El Camino SS, it will have that nose from the factory.
  Good luck on the 350, as an optional extra, not many have it. I seem to remember the GMC Caballero had them more often. Even the SS models had the LG-4 305.
  The engine blocks of that era aren't what I would build a twin turbo set-up with anyway, they were light weight castings meant to reduce weight for milage. Look for a pick-up block from the 70's, I think the casting number was 3970010. They were a 4-bolt main, 10/20 block, the high tin, high nickel content made them some of the strongest production blocks GM ever made.
  I always like to hear of another El Camino prodject getting started, but I guess I'm biased.  

what kinda motor does yours have?  any mods? for the stock 305 do you know of any typical problems to look out for. money would prob be kinda tight after buying so i'd prob keep the 305 so any good mods like exhaust, trans, gears, ect. just to get an idea. if you have any other pics of yours i'd love to check it out if you gotta link send it.  thanx for the input. and yeah i had always wanted a el camino i really wanted a 71 or 72 but there kinda hard to find in Michigan. but i like almost every el camino style. but i'm waiting for GM get there 2011 out there i think it looks pretty sweet.  
JAG Customs

My Camino is one of the readers rides at the Super Chevy mag website, you can check it out there.
 What part of MI?  I'm  about 10 miles south of the line in OH.  

Except for maybe 78-79, no G-body Elky had a 350. Even the SS cars were 305 equipped. But, changing to a 350 in a 305 car is a breeze, all the accessories are the same.  

The heads on a stock 305 were light weight castings prone to cracking and premature guide wear. The blocks weren't as bad, but not for any serious hp.
  If it was me, I'd toss a Performer intake and 600 Holley on it and start saving for something better. In the meantime, keep upgrading your exhaust, trans and suspension for the day you get to upgrade the engine too.
 It all takes time, most of us had to build on a budget and it can take years to get the car wanted.  

ok that sounds good with the mods to start with yeah i'm not a big fan of it having the 305 but i'd like do something with it when i get it. i'm liking the side pipe kit for the el camino. do most trans bolt to the 305 and the 350? for the upgrade from 305 to 350. but i been lookin around for a el camino in MI and lookin kinda hard for 84 SS b/c i want the monte nose.  
JAG Customs

The 350 block will plug right in, trans, mounts and brackets will all bolt up. All Gen- I smallblocks have the same outer dimensions.
Keep in mind that an '84 will be computer controled, that will limit any engine mods you can make on the 305.  

I just wanted to say nice car sds-oe. I have a '79 Caballero. It's hard to find caminos and caballeros up in minnesota where i live but i was kind of lucky and got one in decent shape.  

JAGCustoms:
i'm looking into getting a el camino i just want some input before i get serious. but first of all i want one i can put the Monte SS front on for the "choo choo Custom" look i'm not positive as to what year el camino i need if anyone know for SURE let me know. and second i have been having trouble finding one with the 350 in it in the 80s body style, seems to be more 305s. i was really looking for a small 350 to do a twin turbo kit but i might be able to settle with a 305 if they are good to mod just want some good input on that. well i'll leave it with that for now.

                                   JAG Customs

About the GMC Caballero ,I have factory 350 Roch. 4bbl. 350 atuo. .i'm going to put a 700 over drive tranny in it . but the GMC's were two to one on 350 vers 305's  

I have always like el caminos, do you guys have pics?  

I like my 79 ElCamino, 1970 400 SB, 4 bolt main, balanced, 268H CompCam, 1.94 441 heads (stock), headers, Edelbrock Performer Intake and 600 cfm carb, 350 trans/shift kit,... runs good and fun to drive...  

I have an Elky 1980.  I took a 350 from a suburban to a local machine shop, converted it to a 383 stroker.  Had problem with fit into elky.  Headers wrong, pulleys wrong, tall tappet covers wrong. Engine sits a little higher so intake comes into question(height). Just some diff. that I remember  DonScott31