1986 El Camino Engine Options

The El Camino's relationship with the Chevelle gave it access to some of the most powerful engines of the 1960s muscle-car era. In 1966, the El Camino received the massive 325-horsepower 396-cubic-inch V-8, although its Chevelle cousin got the 375-horsepower version. In 1970, the 360-horsepower 454 V-8 became part of the El Camino powerplant lineup. However, the most popular engine was the 300-horsepower 350 (5.7-liter). The oil crises of the 1970s and stricter federal emissions controls wreaked havoc on the automotive industry, and the late 1970s through the mid 1980s were a wasteland of mediocre engines. By the late 1980s, Detroit woke up from its slumber to develop more powerful, yet efficient V-6 and V-8 engines.

By 1985, El Camino's days were numbered, as production shifted from the United States to Mexico. However, the base engine was the well-engineered 4.3-liter (262-cubic-inch) V-6. The 4.3-liter V-6 debuted in 1985 and became known in the industry as the "three-quarter 350" because General Motors patterned it after its venerable 350 V-8. The V-6 featured a 4-inch bore and a 3.480-inch stroke identical to the 350. The V-6 also shared the same valve components, main and cam bearings, and pistons. For the 1986 El Camino, the V-6 also got a one-piece rear main seal, just like the V-8s. The V-6 generated about 156 horsepower and 230 foot-pounds of torque.

The performance 5-liter (305-cubic-inch) V-8 was found in El Camino Super Sport models that featured the same "SS" packaging as the Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS models. The 305 had a 3.74-inch bore and 3.48-inch stroke to develop 190 horsepower and 239 foot-pounds of torque. The standard 305 for non-Super Sport models generated 150 horsepower.

The 1986 El Camino was also equipped with a 5.7-liter (350-cubic-inch) V-8. The 350 had been the mainstay of Chevy passenger cars and trucks since its introduction in 1967 and had carried the same basic Chevy V-8 engine design since 1955. In fact, the 1986 version was not much different from the 350-powered 1973 El Camino that wielded 145 horsepower. The 1986 version generated 160 horsepower and 260 foot-pounds of torque. By 1986, most El Caminos came with the 4.3-liter V-6 or the optional 5-liter V-8. However, buyers could order through the dealer the 5.7-liter V-8 that generally powered Chevy's light-duty pickup trucks.