"Run what you brung" is ok......Sometimes!

 The question about the "other" 350s brought this to mind.  Gearheads talk about which engines and trannys interchange, and how "easy" it is to swap drivertrain components.  I find myself doing that. If your a mechanic by trade, yes all your out sometimes is your time and effort. But there are a lot of enthusiasts who can do basic services-fluid changes, belts, hoses, starters, fuel pumps, brake pads etc, but don't have the tools, facility, or ability to pull an engine, or drop a crossmember. And there are enthusiasts that love cars, but have no mechanical ability or training. Depending on where you live, most professional mechanic shops charge between $75-125 per hour. If you had to pay one to do even a "simple" swap-i.e. a Turbo 350 for a Powerglide, or say a 318 Mopar for a 360-it can get real pricey real quick.  So if you don't own an engine hoist and don't have a toolbox like Jeff Gordon's crew chief, when some arrogant SOB looks at your 350 Firebird and says-"1st thing I'd do is drop in a 455." Resist the urge to kick him in the teeth, and do some research on what you CAN do with your tools and ability. You can change a carb and intake right? You can drop a transmission pan and install a shift-improver kit. You could afford to pay Midas or Meineke or whoever for a good dual exhaust system. Maybe a cam change is a little beyond your scope. Fine. Same thing with other makes. A 289 Mustang can be a fun ride with very little work. Yes, a 351W or 351W-based stroker would go a lot faster, but maybe you don't have an extra 6 grand laying around to buy a Hi-Po crate motor or the means to change it. A 350 Chevelle or Monte Carlo can be a fun street machine. You don't need an aluminum-headed, roller-cammed, 383 stroker to be cool. Nice if you can afford it, but if you can't don't feel bad.  Just because your car doesn't have the "King Kong" engine that was available that year doesn't mean it's not worth restoring, or racing, or whatever you want to do with it. On the other hand, obviously if you buy a six-cylinder, 3-speed Camaro your planning on swapping in a 350 and a 4-speed, or if you buy a Challenger with a slant-six your going to want to put a small or big-block V8 in it. Just be honest about what you want, and what your realistically able to do yourself, and what needs to be farmed out to professionals.  Mastermind