Crate engine too powerful?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 9,015
Likes: 331
From: Southeast Missouri
Due respect to the aftermarket builders, but how about a complete motor direct from GM? GMPP's ZZ383 should be a nice set up. If you want to do it in vintage dress (pre Vortec heads) consider a ZZ4 350.
The guys at GMPP will help you get the accessory drive and water pump right, too. They should also be able to help pick the right manifold for hood clearance. Scoggin Dickey is a big dealer for them and another info source.
Harry
The guys at GMPP will help you get the accessory drive and water pump right, too. They should also be able to help pick the right manifold for hood clearance. Scoggin Dickey is a big dealer for them and another info source.
Harry
My thoughts as well, comes complete with warranty, all new parts, nothing remanufactured.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,840
Likes: 29
From: Towaco NJ
I have experience with 2 crate engines, Thank God, not mine. One is a 383-450hp. Lucky to make 325hp. The second is a 434 SBC with a build sheet and dyno sheet. 620hp. For those who do not know, we race our cars in the 1/4 mile in the North Jersey Outlaws Series often, so there are no guesses on performance. The 434 from a so-called major builder is full of all cheap Chinese parts and does not run. If your build sheet does not name quality parts by brand name and part number, beware. I have replaced most of the upper end parts with quality America ones, but now the bottom end has to be addressed. It would have been much cheaper to do it right the first time on this engine.
My suggestion is to :
1. Build it yourself, if you can.
2. Find someone who builds circle track engines with a great rep.
3. Or buy a GM crate engine, if real performance is not your goal.
I would never buy a crate engine from a builder I did not personally know.
My suggestion is to :
1. Build it yourself, if you can.
2. Find someone who builds circle track engines with a great rep.
3. Or buy a GM crate engine, if real performance is not your goal.
I would never buy a crate engine from a builder I did not personally know.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 13,685
Likes: 61
You are listed as living in Italy. Is your C2 there, or do you keep and drive it in the USA?
If the car is to be driven in Europe, and there's a problem with any American company's engine, somebody has to pay to ship it from Italy to America and back again.
Corvettes, and other vehicles with Chevy V8s are raced at all levels in Europe, must be some good sources there. Would think it would be less upfront and potential hassle to deal with someone on the same continent, even if it's GM for a crate engine. Not sure about Italy, but there are Corvette clubs in Germany and Switzerland who could advise you.
If the car is to be driven in Europe, and there's a problem with any American company's engine, somebody has to pay to ship it from Italy to America and back again.
Corvettes, and other vehicles with Chevy V8s are raced at all levels in Europe, must be some good sources there. Would think it would be less upfront and potential hassle to deal with someone on the same continent, even if it's GM for a crate engine. Not sure about Italy, but there are Corvette clubs in Germany and Switzerland who could advise you.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 509
Likes: 108
[QUOTE=sub006;1576299345]You are listed as living in Italy. Is your C2 there, or do you keep and drive it in the USA?
Both me and my C2 are in the foothills of the Alps in north-eastern Italy - fantastic roads to enjoy the Vert. Economically it is much more convenient to have a crated engine flown over. Have decided to include a complete clutch unit and side pipes/headers. My car is a power steering car but will upgrade to a new system. will I also have to change all the linkage? I know that there can be issues with the side pipe headers for P/S cars.
Both me and my C2 are in the foothills of the Alps in north-eastern Italy - fantastic roads to enjoy the Vert. Economically it is much more convenient to have a crated engine flown over. Have decided to include a complete clutch unit and side pipes/headers. My car is a power steering car but will upgrade to a new system. will I also have to change all the linkage? I know that there can be issues with the side pipe headers for P/S cars.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 7,246
Likes: 21
From: Going too fast over the hill. Iowa
With the extra power, comes the need for extra cooling capacity. If you have A-C or are already experiencing high engine and cabin temperatures, you may want to replace the radiator while the engine is out of the car, and the hood is off.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 174
Likes: 0
From: Roskilde
Due respect to the aftermarket builders, but how about a complete motor direct from GM? GMPP's ZZ383 should be a nice set up. If you want to do it in vintage dress (pre Vortec heads) consider a ZZ4 350.
The guys at GMPP will help you get the accessory drive and water pump right, too. They should also be able to help pick the right manifold for hood clearance. Scoggin Dickey is a big dealer for them and another info source.
Harry
The guys at GMPP will help you get the accessory drive and water pump right, too. They should also be able to help pick the right manifold for hood clearance. Scoggin Dickey is a big dealer for them and another info source.
Harry
here's an example of what you can find in a crate engine:
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Race Director
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 13,685
Likes: 61
[QUOTE=Downdraft;1576300105]
Then I would pay extra to get an engine from the longest-established, MOST reputable source with the STRONGEST guarantee. Perhaps Edelbrock? Vic probably would like to feature a happy long-distance customer in the catalog!
BTW how much is premium gas in Italy these days? Please convert lire to dollars and liters to gallon!
You are listed as living in Italy. Is your C2 there, or do you keep and drive it in the USA?
Both me and my C2 are in the foothills of the Alps in north-eastern Italy - fantastic roads to enjoy the Vert. Economically it is much more convenient to have a crated engine flown over. Have decided to include a complete clutch unit and side pipes/headers. My car is a power steering car but will upgrade to a new system. will I also have to change all the linkage? I know that there can be issues with the side pipe headers for P/S cars.
Both me and my C2 are in the foothills of the Alps in north-eastern Italy - fantastic roads to enjoy the Vert. Economically it is much more convenient to have a crated engine flown over. Have decided to include a complete clutch unit and side pipes/headers. My car is a power steering car but will upgrade to a new system. will I also have to change all the linkage? I know that there can be issues with the side pipe headers for P/S cars.
BTW how much is premium gas in Italy these days? Please convert lire to dollars and liters to gallon!
Last edited by sub006; Dec 25, 2010 at 12:41 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,294
Likes: 16
From: Carson City Nevada
There is no such thing as too powerful engines...only too powerful right feet...do it and drive it normally and you won't notice a big difference...but get into it and you better hang on...have fun!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,867
Likes: 195
From: Maryland
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 509
Likes: 108
Gas here is about $7.30 a gallon, but you can find 98 octane However, consider that there is no real-estate tax for the first home, no matter what value it has. I think it is much cheaper to pay 7 or 8 bucks a gallon rather than paying the state for your home each year.
After reading these crate engine posts I will go with a GM product.
After reading these crate engine posts I will go with a GM product.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 174
Likes: 0
From: Roskilde
2nd Gear
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
I spent over $12,000 for a URE engine, never raced it, drove to a few auto shows, it broke a valve in less than 3,000 miles. The lifter roller broke off and dumped needle bearings and fragments in the oil pan. The valve head rattled around in the cylinder gouged out the block. URE won't return calls or correspondence. The other cylinders show marks like the pistons are touching the valves. The warranty is worthless, it's written to protect them not you.
I'm not the only one check the BBB
I'm not the only one check the BBB
Drifting
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,469
Likes: 329
From: Southold New York
I'm trying to understand the problem. You have a numbers matching stock 327 that starts and runs perfectly but uses 1/2 quart per year of motor oil. Just what are you trying to accomplish by swapping in a crate engine?
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 243
Likes: 4
From: Lecanto FL
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,892
Likes: 168
From: Middletown Ohio
2016 C1 of Year Finalist
Should be no problem, providing the rest of the drive train is in good shape, like all the U-joints, transmission, rear end, wheel bearings etc. These things came with close to that horsepower from the factory. It'll depend on how much you beat on it, but you don't sound like that sort. Ask questions of other buyers from that company to ensured their reputation of a quality build. I can't imagine what the shipping $$ would be....
But, I gotta ask, if your happy with the current motor, why not just change a few gaskets, and throw some seal softener in it. (Leak seal added to oil). Or just the gaskets....it's not leaking very much really...
But, I gotta ask, if your happy with the current motor, why not just change a few gaskets, and throw some seal softener in it. (Leak seal added to oil). Or just the gaskets....it's not leaking very much really...
Thanks.
