A "Step Down" can be a steal

Every manufacturer made step down models trying to increase sales. These can be a screaming deal for the smart shopper. By smart-I mean realizing that these models aren't worth anything other than the fact that it is a GTO or a 442 or whatever. Most of the step-down models had less powerful engines. For example in 1967-69 Olds and Pontiac offered step-down engines on the GTO and 442. Instead of a 400 inch V8 with a 4bbl that was rated at 350 hp you got a 400 with a 2bbl that was rated at 290. A lot of Dodge Chargers and Plymouth Satellites had 2bbl 383 V8s. A lot of Mach 1 Mustangs built from 1969-73 have 351W or 351C engines with a two-barrel carb.  It's funny-I've seen people pass on these cars and pay 5 grand more for one with a "Factory" 4bbl that isn't as nice. Hello?? You can't spend $600 on a factory or Edelbrock intake and 4bbl carb and 4 hrs to install it? You'd rather spend 5k more for an "original" 4bbl model?  Use your head. In 1971-72 you could get an SS Chevelle with a small-block for the first time. These cars make nice drivers, and there's more speed equipment available for a small-block Chevy than anything else on the planet. Or you could swap in a big block pretty easily if that is your desire. Pontiac made a fair number of  "Formula 350" Firebirds from 1970-77. 350 Pontiacs really "Wake Up" with a 4bbl carb and intake, dual exhaust and other minor mods. Or a 400 or 455 is a bolt-in swap. 1977-81 Formulas and T/A's had the 301 V8 as a step-down from the 400 Pontiac and 403 Olds engines ( 77-79 ) and as standard in 80-81. ( The ill-fated 301 Turbo or a 305 Chevy were the other options ). These cars are snubbed by Pontiac collectors and can be bought dirt-cheap. And a 400 or 455 will drop right in, unless you have a 305, then I'd just go with a hotter SBC. 442s after 1971 had a 350 2bbl as std equipment. Of the "Other" 350s-i.e. non-small-block Chevy-the Olds is the best one. It's a big-bore / small stroke design, and there is a good amount of speed equipment available for them. A 403 will bolt in place of a 350, and all the same equipment fits, except you have 53 more cubes. 1968-72 350 heads will give later 350 / 403s a full one point compression boost, but you'll have to retap the bolt holes. You can use 455 Edelbrock heads on these engines too, but you'll need custom pistons and a ported Performer RPM manifold.  Or a 455 can be swapped in without too much hassle. LT1, L82 and big-block '70's 'Vettes bring a king's ransom, but the "standard" L48 350 is no slouch, and you can buy these for thousands less than their more desirable brothers, and as we know-there's no shortage of SBC speed equipment. If you want to buy a 'Vette dirt cheap-three words that usually aren't in the same sentence-look for a 1980-81 "California" model. These have a 305 and are vehemently snubbed by Corvette collectors. But a 350 or 383 would bolt right in, and if you want a C3 'Vette at a low price, this might be the way to go.  318 powered Challengers, Barracudas, Satellites and Coronets can be bought way cheaper than their big-block brethren, and a 360 or a 360 based 408 stroker is a bolt in. Or the "B / RB" engines can be swapped in. One of these "lesser" models might be just the ticket for you bargain-hunters. Mastermind