WI area guys-engine build up question

[johnd]

Pretty soon I am looking into putting about 6000.00 into my engine/drivetrain I have saved for a little while and I was wondering if any of you know good places to get engines built up I would like to get like to get 400+ hp I do not even know if that is possible with that amount of money I am only 20 so don't know to much about engines that is why I do autobody instead . But if any of you have some suggestions let me know.

Thanks,
John Dykstra

 

[Blue82]

If you are planning ot spend that much I would go with a crate engine. It's usually all new, built by GM or a GMPP dealer, and has a good warranty. Pay a mechanic to put it in if you have to, but that is a better way than having someone you don't know personally build one up for you.

Another thought is to do your homework on power buildups and then go with a GMPP short block and build from there. Again, you know the buildup is correct, you are not getting jerked around on parts or quality, and you have a good warranty.
JMHO

 

[bobherr46]

You should definitely do your homework first. There are a lot of places to trip up. For example the 400 block I am putting in my 79 L82 is not drilled(and tapped) on the left front motor mount bosses to accept the 2 bolts that hold the power steering pump mounting bracket. Also it was not drilled and tapped to accept the clutch mounting ball. Obviously,not an issue if you have an auto trans but a big one if you have a stick shift. All replacement heads need to be drilled to accept the various accessory mounting brackets,etc. More important is the level of power output you select for the motor. A really high compression motor will not run well on the 92 octane premium gas from the corner C-store,etc. IMHO,you should learn enough about this so you can spec a lot of the parts or at least be able to ask what they put in the motor and understand the answers. there are several good books on hot rodding chevy small blocks in the $15.00 price range that will help a lot. - Bob

 

[silver 80]

I put the ZZ-4 in my 80. has enough power right now.
look at sallee chevrolet web site, they have alot of add ons for the ZZ-4 to get you alot of HP.


I couldn't tell you where to get a good built engine around here.
I could do some checking though. what's the time frame?
what's the distance you are willing to go?
I live in the Madison area.
tom

 

[johnd]

I was actually thinking about the zz4 or the fastburn 385 I am not sure though...Are you satisfied with the zz4 because I have a gmpp 300hp engine right now but it is just to slow for me we as in my friends 96 vette were side by side at 145 when I passed him but I have NO low end and I want that fixed I know it is more then an engine I could use a tranny and a new rear gear I would think but I am not sure.

As in time frame it would not be right away I just got rims for it as they will come in on friday and the spring I am getting it repainted lemans metallic blue. So I am thinking end of next summer I am just trying to get the picture and see what my options are.

John D.

 

[silver 80]

check out salee chev I think they can get you in the 400 range.
Price ? I think they add hot cam 1.6 RR and some other stuff.
Where are you getting the paint done at?

 

[johnd]

yet to find a place I have been looking I have been quoted between 3500-5000 for paint but I really want it done and it does need it. Do you know of any good places??

John D.

 

[silver 80]

Ball autobody in middleton.
I ran into a guy who owns a 86 that was done over the course of the winter, just droped it off and said I'm in no hurry, they cut him some slack, and did an outstanding job, and reasonable price too. When the 80 gets paint I'm going to try to do the same thing.
tom

 

[Jack]

I have a gmpp 300hp engine right now but it is just to slow for me we as in my friends 96 vette were side by side at 145 when I passed him but I have NO low end and I want that fixed John D.

Also at sallee & others is GMPP's HT383 ... sallee & others also sell an HT383 equipped with fastburn heads & appropriate cam ... all new & fresh ... under $6K ... makes lotsa low end torque & high end HP ... OK with pump 92 ... should deal with your pal's 96 handily. Also, if you have a 3.08:1 pumpkin (or smaller) ... that you may wish to change also ... that may be where you're losing a lotta low end grunt to the 96.

there are several good books on hot rodding chevy small blocks in the $15.00 price range that will help a lot. - Bob

Excellent Advice!
JACK:gap

 

[johnd]

hey thanks alot for the info guys that is why I love this site I will be getting one of those small block books soon it will keep me enertained when I am in college . I got my rims tqII's 17" they are awesome soon it will be in for paint then it is the whole drive train I can't wait to get it all done.

 

[macx]

Check out these combos

Hi - I'm about to start the same thing as you, also with an 81.

Check out these dyno tests. Page thru all of them, focus on the ones that have cams in the 215 to low 220 duration at 050 lift and 9.5 or less compression, any higher and you likely can't run pump gas.
http://www.corvettefaq.com/c3/goodwrench/GM Goodwrench 350 test part 1.htm
http://ryanscarpage.50megs.com/combos2.html
http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/7610/dyno.htm

Now take a look at this article, a good possibility for a crate motor. Only thing is, you need to upgrade the Vortec heads it comes with to accept stronger springs and higher lift cams. The article shows how.
http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/techarticles/76178/
http://www.sallee-chevrolet.com/Horsepower_And_Torque/Charts.html
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=383+kits

I'm looking at leaving my shortblock stock. Using 64cc Vortecs and a .015" or .018" thick head gaskets gives a low 9-1 compression ratio. For carb, I'm getting rid of the electronic QJet we've got (very hard to setup right) - get rid of the little computer, and get a regular HEI ignition and a 625 Road Demon carb. For cam, I'm going with a Comp Cams XE 262 - that combo with that cam can make at or near 400 hp and about 425 torque. Great street motor with good throttle response, good torque at all rpms, and LOTS cheaper than roller setup for a non-roller block. If you do go roller block and cam, like that 383 crate motor, look real hard at the Comp Cams hydr roller cams (you can then use your stock roller lifters etc) and check some of the combos in those dyno articles - you'll see some of the 383's making near 500 hp and 500 torque with a Comp Cams roller with around 220 duration and 500 lift. The next step smaller will do just about as well and probably run smoother for the street.

The 350 Goodwrench article - first link - is what I'm going for with a 2500 stall converter and 3:55 gears. I'm going to swap in a high perf 2004R trans. A good torque motor like the 383 could do well with 3:07's and the 700R4, of course also beefed and with 2200 to 2500 stall. The 200 trans has a little better ratio spread between 1st and 2nd and is an easier swap to replace our 3 speed 350 auto's (if that's what you have).

Good luck, enjoy!

 

[macx]

More 383 Crate Info

Just had to throw these in - http://www.sallee-chevrolet.com/Ascripts/pricesdata.cgi
http://www.sallee-chevrolet.com/ChevySmallBlockV8s/HT_383.html
http://www.sallee-chevrolet.com/ChevySmallBlockV8s/HT_383_Pictures.html

 

[macx]

First Link

On that first link above, you have to go to the Search page, then just type in 383 and choose "Description" to get info on other Sallee 383's.