Engine Build

[nj7000]

All right, I've pretty much decided the stock 350 in the vette just isn't going to cut it after this year. I want to stay with a small block of course, and the vette is mostly a cruiser/street machine, so gas mileage is a consideration. I do want plenty of power though, otherwise I wouldn't be doing this. What would you recommend? What are the pros and cons of building your own vs. buying a crate. I'd also like to eventually install a 6-speed. I'm somewhat mechanically inclined, and I have a great set of tools, would it be possible to build one myself with some help? :confused Thanks!

 

[Tom73]

I would take the easy way out and pull the existing motor (if original put it back in storage for future use) and drop in a ZZ crate engine. There is also a company that can supply you with a 6-speed and everything you need to make the swap (mounts, driveshaft, etc). Get everything together and the swap can be a weekend job and you would be back on the road in 48 hours or less

tom...

 

[craig32]

Yes, it would be very possible to build one yourself. If you do, you know exactly what's in it. Then if something goes wrong you know how to take care of it. No matter how many tools you have, you will still be short a few items - like a ring compressor and a cylinder hone. You can rebuild it over the winter and take all the time you need. In my opinion, you can't beat a factory set-up. A good aftermarket cam is a place to start, the manufacturers can recommend one for what you want to accomplish. A strong set of heads is also a must. Carburetion is the last thing, not the first. You don't want to build it strong internally and choke it with too small of a carb. Also, anything that takes in more air and fuel is going to put out more exhaust, make sure your pipes are big enough.
Or you could just throw down $2000+ and buy something. I'm also curious why you would want to put in a 6 speed? Another $2000+ The TH350 is plenty of transmission for a small block, if not try a TH400. I personally wouldn't put something in my car that could take weeks to get parts for. Again, just my opinion. I like the satisfaction of knowing I did it myself.
Craig

 

[78SilvAnniv]

Kenny and I rebuilt our 350 a year ago and if we had to do it over again, after the time/money we spent, we would much prefer to buy the crate engine.
(we sent components to the machine shop and did all assembley and installation ourselves with help of CAC friends)
It WAS fun and interesting to build it ourselves, and I feel I learned a lot about the internal workings of an engine, but it would have been much more cost/labor effective to just pull the engine and swap one in that was ready to go.
Heidi

 

[LannyL81]

I agree with Hedi....I am still in the process of rebuilding my L81 engine and finding out just how all aftermarket parts do not fit with other aftermarket parts.

check out gmpartsdirect.com and the 250hp crate 350. It's only like $1500 delivered. All put together and with a 50,000 mile warranty. Just add your intake, carb and accessories.

Of course if you are not interested in the warranty, you could replace the cam with a higher lift one, roller tip rockers, etc...for even more hp.

Later,
LannyL81

 

[dfw81shark]

I am in the same boat as LannyL81 and Heidi. I started my engine project in Feb and it still isn't done. I've had a really hard time making vendors' parts play nice- most notably EDELBROCK. Great intakes. Horrible cam and head instructions.

 

[dfw81shark]

There are some great stroker deals on ebay. The cost of buying the parts yourself is way more than they are selling these. With what I've spent so far upgrading, I could have had a carb to pan from these guys. I don't know anyone who has bought one, but even if you had to tear it apart again, the cost of the parts is worth it imo.

 

[craig32]

I've had a really hard time making vendors' parts play nice- most notably EDELBROCK.

That is EXACTLY what I meant by 'In my opinion, you can't beat a factory set-up' I used an Isky cam, reworked stock heads, and a 2X4 intake from a '58 Corvette for my project engine. The company you mentioned makes parts to fit all manufacturers, GM makes their own and test them rigorusly before you see them in production. Aftermarket companies are hoping you sell it or blow the engine racing and buy more parts from them.

 

[nj7000]

My original intention was to just find a reworked block rebuild it, and bag the original, but it sounds like buying a near complete engine is probably the most time/money efficient. I'd like to spend somewhere between 2-3 k or so. Even if I did build the engine myself would I save much money? I have the time to do it, but it being reliable and professional is more important. Which companies/dealers would you recommend for quality/value/price?

 

[dfw81shark]

My original intention was to just find a reworked block rebuild it, and bag the original, but it sounds like buying a near complete engine is probably the most time/money efficient. I'd like to spend somewhere between 2-3 k or so. Even if I did build the engine myself would I save much money? I have the time to do it, but it being reliable and professional is more important. Which companies/dealers would you recommend for quality/value/price?

Save money building yourself? Depends on how much you reuse from the old car and what you want to buy. I've just bought

Edelbrock Etec-200 heads ~1150
Edelbrock Performer RPM vortec intake ~180
Edelbrock Performer RPM roller cam ~220
CompCams .1 longer than stock pushrods ~130
CraneCams Aluminum rockers (busted the stock ones I planned to reuse due to edelbrock's crappy instructions) ~200
Countless numbers of gaskets

I am reusing a built 89 camaro camaro block with flat-top pistons with low miles. I didn't touch the bottom end. I also grabbed the serpentine belt system and roller lifters from that car too. Everything fit great except the smog pump pulley, but if you get the GM smog pump removal kit, it comes with a slightly smaller pulley that clears the A-arm. I already had the carb and distributor which will drive the price up if you aren't using those from the old motor. But I've put $2000 into just the top end, add $600 or so for a new block if you have to buy one and you are sitting in already-built 383 territory. I know you can get heads for less money, but at the time I thought I was doing a great thing getting these. I've screwed up my build by tightening the rockers down too hard per crappy instructions -cracking stock rockers, bending pushrods and bending valves. I only did this to cylinder 1 thankfully. But I am still off the road (since the start of the project in Feb or so), whereas I could have just dropped a new motor in and been on my way in a couple of weeks. Have I learned alot? YES. Will I do this again? Dunno. Not in the short term. Depends if the car starts and runs right when I get this little issue resolved. I am waiting on backordered pushrods now.