My first car was a 69 convertible with a 307. I bought it in 86 when I was 17. It was about 90% restored in 96 and is a great car that turns alot of heads.

After 17 years of negetive reaction about having a 307 I would like to moth ball the origonal 307 and drop in a bigger "more respectable" motor.

Is it true that I can only put in a 327 because larger motors were limited to RS,SS, and other special Camaro's?

I figure no harm done if I still have the 307 and I vowed to never sell the car anyways.

Any opinions if I should do it, and if I should, what motor would be best?

Thanks.

 

You can put any motor you want in it. Basically you have what is referred to as a "Plain Jane", however the fact that its a convertible makes it more valueable than a plain coupe.

You can go down a couple different paths with what motor you put in, however in either case I'd keep the original 307 if its the numbers matching original. Down the road if you decide to sell it, having the original motor will increase the resale value, even though it is only plain jane.

Now as far as your options... Option one is to make it look original. In this case I'd go with a 350. It can even be a stroker if you'd like, however you can "dress-it" to look like the original 307 or upgrade it to look like a stock 350.

Option two... make it a clone. Who cares if it was only a 307, it is a convertible. Even if its an "SS" clone its going to be worth more than it would be with the original 307. Here you can go 350 or 396 big block, as both were available. Dress it up with the correct SS badges and everything. Just don't try to pass it off as a real SS if you ever try to sell it.

Option three... go pro touring. The latest craze is to swap in modern crate motors and swap the suspension for a more modern day set up. This can be quite expensive, however you'll basically have a new car with an old Camaro body.

Option four... make into a fun retro cruiser. Personally, this would be the path I'd go. I'd first swap in the F-41 Z/28 suspension pieces then drop in a 454 big block. I'd dress the 454 up to look like an original 427. I'd get some SS badges (or SS/427 badges) and maybe an SS hood, maybe a Z/28 hood, heck maybe even a Yenko stinger hood. Maybe add some hockey stripes, maybe update the interior to the deluxe houndstooth... whatever, just make it into the ultimate Camaro that fits my personal tastes.

Whatever you do isn't going to decrease its value because it was only a plain Jane. In fact, making it into an SS clone will probably raise its value some.

Good luck!

 

First off, you have to refer to the basic hot rodder's rule:

"It's your f-ing car. Build it and drive it like YOU want, and to hell with anyone elses opinion"

That said, if you like the way it runs and drives, then enjoy the damn thing! Don't change it just because someone doesn't like your 307.

Because after you drop in the 454 crate motor, you'll come across the folks that gripe because you don't have the "original" motor in it.

Decide what you want, and how original you want it to look. Any variation of the small block will drop in and bolt up to everything you have. A big block will require changing springs, exhaust, accessory brackets and a bunch more. Easiest thing to do is mothball the 307, and drop in a nice 350, and use all the stock stuff, so it "looks" like a 307.

But make it the car YOU want, not everyone else. It's YOUR car, and you'll be the one living with it.

OK?!

 

Hadn't thought of that, but I'm thinking it's true. Simon, have you thought that maybe some of the people being negative are just jealous cause they don't have a 69 Camaro convertible? To have scored a car like that at 17.

If I was in your (lucky) position, I would pop in a 350. Not to placate the critics, but to save the 307 for the future, and the 350 is the most available small block out there.

 

Even if you do build a 327, they can be built to run with most 350s. 307s aren't hot rodding material, but then again neither are 305's and guys build them up. Any small block will slip right in where your 307 sets. Some just require external balancing.

If you just want a cruiser, leave the 307 in, if you want to race build something else. It's hard to beat the fuel milage of a 307.

Next time someone gives ya crap about your car ask if they're going to fund the project. Bottom line, your car...your money...build it the way you want.