Best source for an engine

[LIRacer]

What's the best source(s) for a crate motor?

 

[80vette_ca]

You can try Jegs website out they have a lot to choose from. other then that I'm not too sure. What are you looking for?

 

[LIRacer]

hi perf motor to replace my 72 LT-1 with. Street and racing.

 

[78SilvAnniv]

Very happy with my GM Crate engine. I purchased it through a GM Dealership.

1997, $1500.00 for a GM 350 w/ 250hp and 4-bolt main.
*Please note that 250hp is over 75 MORE hp than my stock L48 w/ CA emissions!
Heidi

You snuck in behind me, LI! For a street/racing motor I'd purchase from a specialty place. Jegs or Summit come to mind, but I'm sure there are other good companies.
A good way to decide is to tell them what you are looking to use your vette for and see how knowledgeable they are when answering your questions.
Heidi

 

[TWINRAY]

Noticed you're from LI. You might check Ramp Chevrolet in Port Jeff. I saw an ad in the paper and they seem to be the same price as Jegs. - at least for the ZZ4. Please tell me if you run across any good deals - I wanted to put the ZZ4 in my '85 S-10 Blazer but thought I could do better than the $3800 I've seen them for.

 

[LIRacer]

twinray..

U belong to LICOA?

 

[TWINRAY]

No, went to one of their events in Bridgehamption in the late 70's and to a SSCOA meeting back then but I don't think I'm a "club" person. Too unsocialable:CRASH

 

[Jack]

ZZ4 is a pretty close match to your LT-1 motor's performance ... Fastburn makes a bit more. Either available through any GM dealer. Your old distributor will work with either ... or use the new HEI that it ships with in conjuction with a tach from 75 thru 77 vette (match your gages & bolts in).

GM P/N 24502609 ... ZZ4 (355 HP)

GM P/N 12496769 ... Fast Burn 385 (385 HP)

My choice would be the HT 383 with a bit more cam ... though it makes 340 hp and gobs of torque on 87 octane ... all at lower (typical street) revs. Does not ship with distributor ... but can use your's or HEI. Also available through any GM dealer.

GM P/N 12497317 ... HT 383 (340 HP)

FYI: If I recall correctly ... If you have a 4-speed ... you'll have to get a different flywheel with any of the above ... those that ship with flexplate will fit. Reason: Newer one-piece seal cranks have a different bolt-circle than your old 72's two-piece seal crank bolt circle.
JACK:gap

 

[SwaveDave]

If i didnt have a numbers matching engine, id most likely go for that 540 Street Crate Engine in Jegs catalogue ; looks like a nice motor. Trouble is...i dont think the factory M21 gearbox or diff. would last too long.

A friend of mine replaced his C3 motor with a ZO6 motor off of ebay...then had it stroked to 382 cid. Went for a ride in it ; incredibly fast. He said you can buy a new crate ZO6 motor for about $6 k. Thats what id do if i were replacing a SB motor .

Dave

 

[LIRacer]

I think I found my crate motor. 383 stroker rated at 475hp ready to drop in for under $6000. See the link.
http://www.proformanceunlimited.com/specs/383_450drop.html

 

[Jack]

I think I found my crate motor. 383 stroker rated at 475hp ready to drop in for under $6000. See the link.
http://www.proformanceunlimited.com/specs/383_450drop.html

IMHO ... way too much money. For about that kinda $ ... Sallee chevy offers ALL BRAND NEW Fastburn 383 motor of similar performance ... but new std bore block, forged crank & rods, Fastburn Alum heads, roller cam & rockers; w/dyno sheet.

PUL prices on upgrades appear overpriced ... upgrade on H-beams or forged cranks are what anybody can find without looking beyond summit ... for the price of parts straight up ... what about the cost of the std rods/crank ... PUL prices don't appear to credit for them ... keep looking.
JACK:gap

 

[SwaveDave]

Li,

If youre going to spend $6 K...wouldnt a better investment be a crate LS6 (zo6) motor ?? It would be a genuine Chevy motor , state of the art, fuel injection, and youd get all the performance your endorphans could handle..... plus 19/27 mpg fuel economy.

That 383/475 h.p. is power at the flywheel; the LS6 motor would work out about the same.

Well jmho...Dave

 

[MaineShark]

LS6 would cost more than $6k. It needs quite a bit of work to fit, from the engine mounts (not the same as a SBC) to wiring, to fuel system, to exhaust, and a lot of other things. Definitely cool, but I'd budget $8k to do an LS6 swap...

Joe