New engine coming up!!! Please help

[Macgyver]

Ok I think I might have a deal worked out here w/ a Vette dealer that I might be able to do next month. THe mileage is too high for my liking so dropping in a new one now is very possible which Im planning on doing anyways. I just have a few more questions here:

Scoggins here in Tejas has a few engines that seem to be quite nice. They have a crate made by them > http://www.sdpc2000.com/cart.asp?action=prod_detail&catid=1578&pid=154041 that seems to be of my liking. Im wondering if anyone has any experience w/ this one? How much would install on this be?

Gm has their own quite similar > http://www.sdpc2000.com/cart.asp?action=prod_detail&catid=120&pid=115 Thats about the same price. Would GM be a better product?

My other question is what exactly goes into a rebuild as far as parts go? Do you just clean them or replace as well? If I were to add these: new cam, roller rockers, roller lifters, and 64cc heads as well as bore it over isnt that just as good? It seems to be less expensive as well.
Or would I be better off just buying an all new one. I never plan on selling this beauty so Im planning on driving it like hell 15-20 years from now.

If everything works out in September than I will be buying this Vette so Im just trying to work things out before hand so Ill be all set to go w/a plan.

 

[Dave L.]

We have sold several of those motors here at my dealership. All customers are very pleased with them. I am seriously considering this engine for my vette also.

Dave

 

[matchframe]

The nice thing about buying a new crate is the warranty. And you know it is built right, and possibly cheaper than what you could build it for.

As far as rebuilding your existing motor, 1st off you will keep the numbers matching to your Vette if that is important to you in the future.

What all you have to do to the block and rotating assembly depends on how worn it is. Find a good machine shop to work with. They can advise you what you need to do. Most likely you will have to punch the block out at least .010 if not more. If the block has already been punch out, you don't want to go .060 over because the cylinder walls will be too thin. The crank will also most likely need to be turned, or you could go with a stroker crank. The compression, cam, heads and roller rockers are up to you however you want build it.

The nice thing about building your own engine is the bragging rights you will have. When you fire that bad dog up the first time, you have created life! Or so it seems.

The only drawback is no warranty.

I guess it depends on what is most important to you.



Bill

 

[87vette]

Pace parts has some crate engines, some at a good price. they sell a Caprice TBI 350 for around $1500 that will make over 300 HP with a cam change. I think they sell the gm crate engine your describing, so you may want to check them out.


Tim

 

[Bob_K]

I think the GMPP engine has a 1 year, 12000 mile warrenty. Not sure about the S/D one. Warrenty may or may not be a big deal to you. I think the warrenty is also only good as long as you don't modify the engine->don't go swapping cams or anything like that if the warrenty is important to you.

 

[Macgyver]

Ok, good deal. I just wanted to make sure on this.

Thanks for the replies.

 

[Evolution1980]

Here's a good thread to read through about crate engines and quite a few mentioned in here... This was a good thread...

http://corvetteactioncenter.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=14943

...it starts to pick up on the second page...

 

[Macgyver]

Wow Ok now a 383 sounds like a good idea as well. Im sure I can get a block for cheap of here. My only concern is the MPG. I have to do a bit of driving so anything lower than 17-16mpg might not be worth it considering Im not going to do any racing. I do want to be able to blow away my neighbors sorry mustang though!

 

[Evolution1980]

If your foot isn't going to keep the throttle to the floor at all times, you should be OK. You will likely come to find that you don't mind giving up a couple mpg here or there for the increase in available power on hand! What are you going to say to your neighbor if/when he smokes you? "Yeah, well...well...I...I....I get better gas mileage than you, so NYAH!" :L :L I don't think so!

And hey...really...If you're driving an older vette, gas mileage shouldn't be your primary concern, daily driver or not! :L :L

 

[Macgyver]

Very true on all points Evolution. So you have the ZZ under your hood is that right? Im wondering how reliable are rebuilt engines? That one in dallas seemed like a good deal http://www.dallasexportsales.com/383390LB.htm but am I going to have problems w/it you know.

What do you sugges then? Im leaning towrads building the 383 now while I just drive the original. The kits in SCoggins seems to be good as well. Building a strong 400Hp engine for under $3K is exactly what I want.

 

[MaineShark]

Im leaning towrads building the 383 now while I just drive the original. The kits in SCoggins seems to be good as well. Building a strong 400Hp engine for under $3K is exactly what I want.

That's sort of my plan. Of course, my plan keeps changing, but my current thinking is to build a mild 383 or 406 while I drive it on the current engine. But then eventually, I'm going to build a bored-and-stroked 427 or 454 small block. Probably a bit more expensive, to build an engine that will only see a few years use, but I want some experience on a fairly mild motor, before I tackle the big one

Joe

 

[groovyjay]

The Answer is Here!

 

[Macgyver]

OK its settled. THanks for all the help and links guys. I think I ve come up w/ a solution that is perfect for me and very do-able. Im looking for a 350 block now and a good chop in town to machine and bore it for me. The Hot Rod article was perfect. Im looking at SDPC, Speedomotive, or Powerhouse for the 383 kit. Im just going to build it w/ the basics for now cuz I think it would be a lot more pleasing to do the mods one by one myself. Besides 350HP will be plenty in the beginning but of course it will probably never be enough.

For the mods Im going to probably go w/ similar ones in the Chevy HIPo article. I might build it w/ the SDPC aluminum heads off the bat so as not to waist money onthe iron ones. If not would it be simple enough for me to do it myself w the help of some on the board?

My dream is w/in my grasp now!!!