Inliners International Forums General Discussion Engines 230

Question here. I have a 230 from a '69 Camaro. It seems that the 230 is an under-dog here. I seldom see any posts regarding a 230. I would like to do a split exhaust, perhaps even a dual intake someday. Rare to find any discussions on these topics for a 230. And parts??? Good luck huh? I am putting a T-5 from a Chevy S-10 behind it and then to a rear from an S-10 4x4 truck. All this parked in an Essex Coupe from 1929. Looonnngg way to go still, but it looks like a car now! Thanks. Perley

I think highly of the 230, If you read my posts you'll see I have a 66 Chevelle with a 230. I'm also building a a 69 Camaro with a 230 for NHRA Stock Class Drag Racing.

Me too. I've a 230 build planned but not yet executed with a forged crank in a '64 block, TRW flat tops, and Crower rods. I say planned because I've got the parts but homeowner projects have temporarily taken priority. Vehicle is a '72 Nova.

Oldrodder, any recommendations made regarding the 250 also apply to the 230. In the late 70's there was a class of modifieds that ran six cylinder engines; we sometimes ran the 230 in the lighter cars due to the shorter stroke (3.25 vs 3.53). Induction was limited to a single two barrel so the volumetric efficiency was better with the 230 at higher rpm. I liked the flat top piston combination; it appeared to have better flame travel when used with the 194 head. The 305 1.84 intake valve is an easy installation or you can turn 1.94's back to a 1.875; I never liked the 1.94 in the 230 but some guys ran them. They are still a viable engine choice, just keep in mind that they have less low end torque than the 250 so "cam" accordingly for the street........fats

Since your Essex will likely weigh about the same as an early Nova (2800 lb or so with a 194/230/250) and you have the T5 for takeoff, the missing low end from the 230 vs the 250 shouldn't matter as much.

Maybe since the Essex came with a six, people will think it's the original engine!

Thanks very kindly for the responses. I think the 230 and the T-5 are going to be a great combination, if and when I get it on the road. Progress is slow on it. The motor supposedly came from a '69 Camaro and had an automatic behind it. I've had a devil of a job finding parts, flywheel, pressure plate, especially a clutch. I finally had to have the people of Ft. Wayne Clutch build one. Perley