[C1] C1 Engine Recommendations
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 12
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C1 Engine Recommendations
I am looking to replace the engine in a '58. The car is beautiful, but I am looking to drive it, not show it. I'd like to hear some recommendations from current C1 owners. What are the best replacement options on the market today?
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Middle TN by way of KY, OH, VA, IL, CA, FL, NY, SC, HI
So, back to you. What are your driving wants and needs? Blazing power but with marginal street manners, easy cruising? High speed cruising (gears matter?). What kind of transmission do you want/need/have/want to keep? Interested in any modifications to squeeze in anything other than a small block Chevy? Gas mileage matter? What about plug and play maintenance? Want to set it and forget it like modern engines?
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2015
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From: Fresno California
This^^^. Best bang for the buck. You can do the swap in a weekend and be driving again right away. I would go with a 383 or a 406. I am running a home-built old school 383 in my '61 and it runs much stronger than a 350 and does it at lower RPMs. I used a '68 big journal 302/327 block with the road draft tube vent so I can still run the stock valve covers and it looks exactly like the original 283. If I were in your shoes, I'd go crate. A friend has a Skip White 427 cid (small block stroker) that he's very happy with. It was costly, though.
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Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 12
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I am not looking for blazing power. Not planning to race or impress the neighborhood with a show of force. But its got to be responsive. I am buying this to drive, not show, so looking for reliability and low maintenance. It's got a four speed manual trans, which I plan to keep for now. I live in horse country outside of Nashville so mostly driving two lane roads into town. But I want to be able to drive it on the interstate without being passed by a Prius.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 17,571
Likes: 3,460
From: Fresno California
GM has some great deals. A guy I know with a '63 coupe bought one of those budget GM 290 HP crate 350's. I drove the car and was amazed at the power. The engine was smooth and strong....and felt much better than the advertised HP rating. Great bang-for-the-buck.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,186
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From: Toosoon Arizona
See Karl Chevy or Scoggind-Dickey there are many more so check price
The amount of HP is directly proportional to the amount of $$$ spent!
Last edited by solidaxel; Jul 30, 2020 at 02:20 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2010
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From: boulder,colorado
Careful. If you go with a 383 or larger motor with significantly more torque and more power than what was ever envisioned for your stock drive train you may need to upgrade your transmission and rear differential to take all that new power. You could have your existing motor rebuilt this winter and with a nice roller hydraulic cam and aftermarket EFI have a really nice reliable driver.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 17,571
Likes: 3,460
From: Fresno California
Careful. If you go with a 383 or larger motor with significantly more torque and more power than what was ever envisioned for your stock drive train you may need to upgrade your transmission and rear differential to take all that new power. You could have your existing motor rebuilt this winter and with a nice roller hydraulic cam and aftermarket EFI have a really nice reliable driver.
CF Community Team
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383/450 horse in my 61 for 20 years. It's a blast. Pulls like a big block.
Team Owner
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From: Greenville, Indiana
Team Owner
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From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Too bad GM aint selling those 1200 crates anymore they are now 1000 more. You can beat it to death and if you blow it so what?
I am sure GM is going to want an authorized installer (dealer) doing it to keep the warrantee.
There goes the "budget" engine replacement! lol
Dont see why a guy couldnt put some decent mounts, Ujoints in and be reliable unless one drives like a complete meathead. Most failures out there are the driver/installers fault.
I am sure GM is going to want an authorized installer (dealer) doing it to keep the warrantee.
There goes the "budget" engine replacement! lol
Dont see why a guy couldnt put some decent mounts, Ujoints in and be reliable unless one drives like a complete meathead. Most failures out there are the driver/installers fault.