Crate vs. rebuild

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Feb 23, 2006 | 09:09 PM

seacliffe301

Thread Starter

Pro

Joined: May 2005

Posts: 515

Likes: 66

From: Grosse Pte. Mich.

Crate vs. rebuild

I am beginning to think of a new engine for my '72 vert,
SB, base engine. Use is strictly street/cruise.
What makes more sense, crate, like a ZZ4, or rebuild
the equivalent? BB is not an option.

Feb 23, 2006 | 09:33 PM

MsVetteMan

Melting Slicks

Joined: Jan 2005

Posts: 3,028

Likes: 0

From: Madison Ms

After pricing out a total rebuild from the bottom up, I chose the crate route. So, you pay a few more bucks, but you are paying for research, develppment, and properly fitted components. I think my crate only ended up costing about 500 more than doing a rebuild I priced out. And check around on crate motors. Many better buys better than the zz4 as far as bang for the buck. Try this........http://www.blueprintengines.com/index.html

Feb 23, 2006 | 09:43 PM

MYBAD79

Le Mans Master

Joined: Oct 2004

Posts: 5,269

Likes: 54

From: Orlando Florida

St. Jude Donor '05

Two local machine shops quoted me $700 to machine my block

The rotating assembly is less than $900 (Scat or Eagle, nodular crank, hypereutectic pistons, rods with ARP bolts, balanced aso). A 4-bolt main short block is about $1300 - $1600, depending on internals. A 383 short block is not more expensive than a 350.

I'd buy a short block, re-use your heads or buy better heads if you want more HP.

Feb 23, 2006 | 10:10 PM

TexSon

Racer

Joined: Feb 2006

Posts: 299

Likes: 1

From: San Antonio TX

Depends on how original you want to keep it. If you are going to make a daily driver, I would go with one of the crates with TPI and also install the Termec transmission http://www.classicchevy5speed.com/68..._Selection.htm

If you want to keep it stock, then rebuild is the only way to go. Also depends on how much you have to spend.

Feb 23, 2006 | 10:25 PM

ratflinger

NCM Grand Opening Veteran

Joined: Sep 2005

Posts: 20,979

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From: South of giving a damn

St. Jude Donor '11, '17

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedBad1979

I'd buy a short block, re-use your heads or buy better heads if you want more HP.

I'm going the short block route. I'll let them install & degree the cam, I'll handle the top end.

Feb 24, 2006 | 01:30 AM

James B

Burning Brakes

Joined: Nov 2002

Posts: 952

Likes: 44

From: NC

im doing a rebuild right now. But I didnt want to mess up my numbers matching stuff. So i was just going to buy an engine from scratch. It is my first rebuild and so half the reason im doing it is for the experience. I got lucky and scored a short block that had a forged crank, rods and pistons for 500 bucks. All the parts checked out good, so I saved MASSIVE amounts of cash on that one...now all i have to do is get the top end.....then theres the while im at its....

My friend however did his from scratch and did not run into any deals like I did and his 383 ended up costing him about 3500 bucks. It is a very mild build an only puts out about 350 horsepower. If he were to do it over again he told me he would definitly go the crate motor route. Lot less headaches, and you can be sure the motor will work when you crank it.

Feb 24, 2006 | 07:38 AM

markdtn

Le Mans Master

Joined: Aug 2003

Posts: 7,720

Likes: 12

From: Chattanooga TN

For your application I would go with a crate. You can probably build it a bit cheaper, but for the time factor and you will get a 1-pc rear seal on GM crate motors (except the "Targetmaster" 350) I would store your original engine for posterity and drop in a crate.