Replace engine with???

[ft laud mike]

Ok all, As my vette enters the body/paint shop im having the motor pulled and re-done (i have nightmares or finishing the paint and interior and gernading the engine-mechanics greasing up/nicking new paint job). The block is not original (cannot find much info some say 1973 caprice some say chevy replacement) so originality is not an issue. Mechanic says he can rebuild it for approx 3500$, But as the automotive logic goes- well if im going to spend 3500 for a rebuild, (without a roller cam-extra 1000$) then why not get a crate motor from chevy (454 h.o. or zz454) with a roller cam already in there for 4800$ and a warranty to boot. I have been loooking (pricing around internet) anyone know of a better deal? or other ideas?
also the original 4 spd will get a refurbish at the same time
any other suggestions on how to waste (er-spend) more money
by the way- I dont want a 502-I had a holley electric fuel pump on a old camaro years ago and dont like the buzzing
thanks for the input
mike

 

[Evolution1980]

There are tons of posts here on the forums. I'd do a search for "crate engines" "Scoggins-Dickey" and "ZZ4 ZZ430"

Update: I just did some searches and I couldn't find one of the threads I was looking for. So you can at least start by looking at two typical resources for GM Performance parts...

Scoggins-Dickey
Jim Pace

 

[ft laud mike]

Im lwaning towards the 454 h.o. but would like to find a zz454, not many retailers ive come across carry this one- its the same engine as the h.o. with alum heads (theres already enough weight with the big block)

 

[Evolution1980]

I would like to find a zz454

As I said...Scoggins-Dickey would be a good place to start! It's where I got my ZZ4.

Check it

 

[lnirenberg]

That motor deserves a more modern tranie to get all that power to the road--Keisler Tremacs--5 sdps require no mods 6 spds have to mod the tunnel. Easy way to drop 3+ large.

 

[IH2LOSE]

If you have a relationship with a local GM dealer stop by the parts department with the part number for the 454 with the aluminum heads.They can do a search of local dealers(with inn 100 miles) to see if anybody has them in stock.thats how I found my 454 ho performance crate motor. any dealer can get them but you end up paying an arm and a leg. normally a stocking dealers will discount them as jeggs and summit do .I paid 4800.00 for my motor picked up at there building. freight would have been another 400.00

Good luck I tried to have a motor built for my car and kept running into problems.

My only disatifaction with my motor is that the cam seems very mild and has no lope to it. there is a term used in the computer industry "plug and play" that how my motor was it fired right off.

 

[IH2LOSE]

That motor deserves a more modern tranie to get all that power to the road--Keisler Tremacs--5 sdps require no mods 6 spds have to mod the tunnel. Easy way to drop 3+ large.

Just remember its a slippery slope when you get to this stage as the
"mine as well's" and the "it would be a sin not to install this while we have it apart"

Start to add up real quick.

But I have a 66 427/425 vette at home with a 4 speed and 411 and I am always thinking how nice it would be to have another gear or two to drop the rpms down to a more managable level

 

[Chuck-75]

yr looking at BB I know, just wanted to say that Im pulling the L-48 out of my 75 vert and installing a ZZ-383 with a 200-R4 tranny .(fingers crossed this next couple of weeks). good luck in yr search. for me the crate motor was the way to go. no assembly problems and + a warrenty(for what ever thats worth,no company is going to not ask whats ya been doing for this -to what ever happened?, hopefully I dont run into this down the road?)again good luck in yr next choice.

 

[ft laud mike]

I agree with the idea of just dropping in a motor, but you confirmed my thoughts, the cam seems mild on paper (and I see it is in real life as well)
I also statred to consider a stroker kit (496). I would love to get a 5 speed, especially if it drops right in, but I dont think my budget will allow that. I am already stretching it thin with the body/paint, interior and engine
but you never know....there is always the lottery
mike