c3 new engine
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
I would stay clear of a dealer. They will charge you a huge amount. Take it to someone who knows cars preferably Corvettes and have them do it. Better off if you can't do it yourself find someone who can and help them out doing it. You will learn a lot about the car and save some money. You can pick up a cheap one for about 2 grand, not much power but it will be new and get you where you want to go. If you want to go faster it just is how much $$$ you want to spend.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 182,997
Likes: 88
From: Lakeland, FL
Cruise-In IV-V-VI-VII-VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17
you can get the standard 350 engine for about $1500 or so... This engine is only rated about 200 - 250 (gross) HP...
Install usually is between $650 - $1000...
However, installing an engine isn't that difficult.. All you need is a $150 engine lift (available at Harbor Freight) and a some wrenches and a torque wrench...
Install usually is between $650 - $1000...
However, installing an engine isn't that difficult.. All you need is a $150 engine lift (available at Harbor Freight) and a some wrenches and a torque wrench...
Race Director
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 10,643
Likes: 8
From: Foxfield CO 1970 Convertible
Originally Posted by GrandSportC3
you can get the standard 350 engine for about $1500 or so... This engine is only rated about 200 - 250 (gross) HP...
Install usually is between $650 - $1000...
However, installing an engine isn't that difficult.. All you need is a $150 engine lift (available at Harbor Freight) and a some wrenches and a torque wrench...
Install usually is between $650 - $1000...
However, installing an engine isn't that difficult.. All you need is a $150 engine lift (available at Harbor Freight) and a some wrenches and a torque wrench...
And out here, you can even save some money by renting the lift at a rent-a-center.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 182,997
Likes: 88
From: Lakeland, FL
Cruise-In IV-V-VI-VII-VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17
Originally Posted by Z-man
And out here, you can even save some money by renting the lift at a rent-a-center.
I actually paid $129 for my engine lift when it was on special.. Worked great!! One of my neighbors actually borrowed my lift a few days ago to pull a engine from a Nissan 240 SX....
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
New Engine, or rebuilding your own
Depending on where you are, there are ususally good engine rebuilders. That's assuming your block in not greater than 60 over. If so, expect to pay $250 for a 4 bolt block and have it rebuilt. I would expect a vanilla rebuild to run abut $1200 with machine shop. You can do some simple upgrades for a few bucks, like an RV cam ($50), double roller timing chain ($25), maybe flat top pistons. ($100). Heads will cost a bit more, but it is marginal ($300 more). I would say you could build a 330 hp motor for $1800 pretty easily. That's about $4 per extra pony.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,720
Likes: 12
From: Chattanooga TN
What they said. About $1400 for a crate Goodwrench 350 and about $600 to install plus water pump, plugs, wires, cap rotor, oil, filter, gaskets, etc.
Or rent a lift and do it yourself.
If you do find a local builder, make sure they don't skimp on the head work. Sometimes the head work dollars exceed the other machine shop dollars. You probably need guides, maybe hardened seats, springs, several valves, etc. I would rather figure more like $1800 for a stortblock rebuild with new Vortec heads. Then you still need a new Vortec compatible intake.
Or rent a lift and do it yourself.
If you do find a local builder, make sure they don't skimp on the head work. Sometimes the head work dollars exceed the other machine shop dollars. You probably need guides, maybe hardened seats, springs, several valves, etc. I would rather figure more like $1800 for a stortblock rebuild with new Vortec heads. Then you still need a new Vortec compatible intake.
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Racer
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 303
Likes: 0
From: groveland, ca
neilb33 - you might want to look into the 290HP 350 crate motor. GM part# 12499529. It cost me $1695 14 months ago. 290 hp @5100 rpm's - 326 ft/lbs torque @3750 rpm's ... on 87 octane !! You'll need your intake/carb ... distributor ... starter ... water pump & fuel pump. It has just a slight lope at idle, and with some flowmasters, sounds pretty damn good !!! It has 4-bolt mains. It's no stump puller, but a nice driver with a bit of pep to it. As far as price goes, and with a 12 month/12000 mile warranty ... don't think you can go wrong.
Good luck
Good luck
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 174
Likes: 0
Go ahead and take the plunge... Pick up a crate ZZ4 350... about 355 HP... for approximately $3800. We all know we want "MORE POWER". If you want even more HP, get the fast burn version of the ZZ4 at rougly 385 HP...
You will end up with close to $5000 in the engine.. but hey.. want it be nice ???
Of course...If it were me...on my budget, I would just rebuild the engine I have... maybe add some performance upgrades
BLVette75
You will end up with close to $5000 in the engine.. but hey.. want it be nice ???
Of course...If it were me...on my budget, I would just rebuild the engine I have... maybe add some performance upgrades
BLVette75
Race Director
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 10,643
Likes: 8
From: Foxfield CO 1970 Convertible
Originally Posted by CGGorman
Engine.........$1800
Accessories....$500
Labor............$600
__________________
total............$2900
Accessories....$500
Labor............$600
__________________
total............$2900
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,135
Likes: 2
From: Dayton Oh
most of the above. Even if you've got limited wrench experience, I'd get the ZZ4 350 and install it myself. If you took your time and had a friend to help, you can easily replace the old engine in just a couple of relaxed weekends + brewskies.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,677
Likes: 1
From: Potomac Falls VA
Originally Posted by jackmoore
Depending on where you are, there are ususally good engine rebuilders. That's assuming your block in not greater than 60 over. If so, expect to pay $250 for a 4 bolt block and have it rebuilt. I would expect a vanilla rebuild to run abut $1200 with machine shop. You can do some simple upgrades for a few bucks, like an RV cam ($50), double roller timing chain ($25), maybe flat top pistons. ($100). Heads will cost a bit more, but it is marginal ($300 more). I would say you could build a 330 hp motor for $1800 pretty easily. That's about $4 per extra pony.
