Well, my engine is starting to have trouble (leaking oil, etc) and I have been wanting to start to modify it to get more power out of it, but I'd rather start new, with a warranty

So, i've been looking at a bunch of crate engines and I have looked at...

Year One Power Crate 400hp 350 crate engine assembly ($2989.00)
http://www.yearone.com/serverfiles/f...DK73488&trk=12

GM Performance Parts 350 Engine ($1,899.99)
http://www.jegs.com/p/GM+Performance/755609/10002/-1

Chevy, ZZ4 350 ($3,999.95)
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...9&autoview=sku

I don't want to spend too much, as with the economy the way it is, and the fact that I'll be going to grad school next year, I don't need anything extravagant. I am leaning towards the year one crate motor. Lots of power for a small price tag.

Which do you like?

If you have any videos of any of the engines, please link it to your post, i'd appreciate it.

 

What are the terms of the crate engine warrantee? to a good degree the warrantee does not mean much since it takes so much to make a claim?

you buy crate motor, have it shipped to you, put it in, set it all up, tune it, drive it for a month then let's say a rod bearing goes bad....
now you have to remove the engine, load it and transport it to a service center where they will 'fix it' ( after you fight them regarding their claim that you ran the engine low on oil, or abused the motor) . then you have to transport it home, put it back in your car, set it up, tune it, then drive it for awhile to declare that it is 'fixed'. if it is not, the process starts all over again..

alot of time, effort, shipping both ways (several hundred $$ just to do this), getting buddies to help, car sitting for months without an engine, etc, etc... just to make a claim...

just hope that you never have to make a claim.. so buy from the best and pay for the best..

 

I have been considering Crate Engines too, but I like this one:

http://www.enginefactory.com/400hp.htm

Now before the price tag makes you want to throw up consider that it is pretty much turn key ready, Which means you could just hook it up to a battery and gas and it will run. Also It comes with a bunch of things that the others don't. Distributor cap, carburetor, intake, etc.
Its very easy to install and ive only heard good things about this place from a customer service stand point. They even throw in a 40 minute dvd on how to put it in. Its expensive but its quailty.

 

I agree, make sure you understand the terms of the warranty. We put one of those Target Master 350's (Mexico) engines in my friends 3/4 ton work truck. Soon afterward, the cam broke and fell into the rotating assembly. 2 rods through the pan, etc. The local dealership towed the truck and installed a new engine. The price was $0.00. A few thousand miles later, the carb float stuck open. The engine was destroyed again due to hydro lock. Again, the dealership towed and replaced the engine. They charged only for a rebuilt Q-Jet and exhaust gaskets! Oh yeah, we purchased the original engine in San Jose, CA, while the warranty work was performed in Los Gatos, CA. Pretty darn impressive, if you ask me.

 

i bought one of the engine factory's 383 motor's last dec excellent service @ after i ordered the motor i got it earlier then they said @ i had promlems with my diss distributor it took 2 to get one that would work but i got them in less than 3 days i would buy from again pete

 

I got a GM 330 hp crate engine put in my 1970 by my local "trusted shop". At least in this area there is one Chevy dealer that stocks various engines (remember while crate engines might be a new term for some people utility, telephone/etc/etc companies use these on a regular basis). The dealer delivered the engine to the local shop and they put it in. Two year warranty or 50M miles. If you have the space/tools/skills you can pick up the engine from the dealer but, I'm not sure how the warranty would work for do it yourself. Call the local Chevy dealer and see what they have.

 

I too have been studying the crate engines. Make sure you understand what it includes and what is transferrable from your old engine.

Example: If auto trans, you might need a new flex plate. Are the valve covers center bolted or periphery bolted.

What about emissions if you live in an over the top state like Calif?

Here are some notes I have accumulated for the ZZ4 crate motor as I am considering this for my '73.

http://corvettec3.ca/zz4.htm

 

If I'm not mistaken, 73s are exempt from smog tests in CA. I bought a 350HO for my 68 last October and didn't have to smog it. It runs like a dream, too.

http://www.gmperformanceparts.com/En...9711&engCat=sb

 

I put a GM Performance Parts 330hp 350 in mine last spring and I have been very happy with it. I had to use a different intake and flexplate but reused everything else.

 

I researched this topic at depth before I decided to just modify my own block and added heads, rotating assy, etc. I spent about 5 grand on my motor: it's all forged internal parts, aluminum heads, Hbeam rods (nascar rods) and full roller...bottom line: it depends how durable you want the engine...I mean are you going to race it at all or just cruise around...I wanted a dual purpose race/cruiser vette and I pulled it off, my engine is almost bullet proof...If your answer is cruise only, then you can't beat GM performance for the money...you can gett a ZZ block with forged internals, but a fairly mild setup for under $4k...but the warranty is probably backed, esp. if you buy it from a local Chev. dealership...if you build it yourself (with the help of a good machine shop), you can save big on a racing motor with 400+ HP, but you just about break even on a milder setup...my $5k motor would have costed me over $9k (Merlin crate), but it all depends how you want to use it...GM performance had the most goodies for the money and best "feel good" warranty since you can harrass your local dealer if something goes wrong...DDBS

 

It's tough to beat GM warranty. Chevy dealers are just about everywhere. getting a crate engine form somplace else may severely limit you choices for warranty. But on the flip side, hopefully you'll wear it out rather than break it.

 

I went with the ZZ4 turnkey engine, comes compleat with everything!
Has a serpintine belt setup, new AC compressor, alternater, PS pump, starter, everything. price is about $5200. The GM warrenty means you can go to a Chevy dealer with it. I love mine, runs great. Check out MY Corvette Photos at left.
For a few bucks more you can get a Hot cam and have 410 hp.
That's my 2 cents.
Dave

 

Not knocking the Yearone engine, I'm considering it myself. Talk to yearone first. They know exactly what you can and can't use on the engine. The intake that comes with it wont fit under the stock hood and the water pump may have to be changed to fit. Not a big deal but that will add some to the price. For the price and HP it's a good deal. So far from members who have installed it, I haven't heard anything negative about it or the ZZ engine.

I looked into the enginefactory crates. They sound good but they are pretty pricey to me compared to what I can find at other shops like Pace or GM.

 

GM ZZ4 in my 1975 4 speed convertible. Runs like a scalded cat. All smiles and no regrets.
Terry

 

But Im liking the yearone selections

 

Your best option is rebuilding what you've got. You easiest option is buying a crate engine.

My L82 that's in my DD is just too tired... Now, I could have gone and bought a crate engine and stashed my L82 in the corner, but that's not what I did. I bought a used running L82 engine from VettesByDesign, and I am getting ready to rebuild it. I don't have it completely torn apart just yet, but I guarantee you, I wont have near the money in this engine as you would buying a crate. However, when I'm done, i wont be afraid of reving mine past 6500 RPM, will you?

I look at yearone's crate and I can smell china all over it. Then I look at enginefactory's stuff and I see robbery. Then I look at GMPP, which I think would most likely be the best, but they are what they are, CHEAP. I don't mean to offend anyone who has bought these engines, but if you're not getting a forged rotating assembly, you're askin for trouble.

If you go over to the Tech section, you'll find CF member Holley505 building a new a engine. You'll also read that another member posted that a rod letting go seems to be a common problem over at LS1.com. I understand that the LS1 and Gen 1 engines are completely different engines. However, the rods are made out of the SAME material which is powdered metal. Seems like many of the crate engine builder's are following GM's footsteps... I just don't want to be the forum member here that has to say i told you so..

 

[QUOTE=FRSTR90;1568617814]Your best option is rebuilding what you've got. You easiest option is buying a crate engine.

I agree 100%.


I look at yearone's crate and I can smell china all over it. Then I look at enginefactory's stuff and I see robbery. Then I look at GMPP, which I think would most likely be the best, but they are what they are, CHEAP. I don't mean to offend anyone who has bought these engines, but if you're not getting a forged rotating assembly, you're askin for trouble.

I can agree with you there too to a large degree but keep in mind he's only wanting 350hp which isn't going to require anything fancy or expensive to keep it spinnin smoothly and reliably.

My advise is that if you consider the ZZ stuff (which is a good value in my book if your not intending to rebuild/modify your own) that you will need to plan & budget to work your accessories into and around that large diameter harmonic balancer. I've seen quite a few posts on the topic. Roller Cam, 4-bolt block, Alum Vortec heads and other nice internals - nothin sounds CHEAP to me about that.

 

I have had a ZZ4 in my 1980 for approximately 10 years. It's been fuel injected for the last 5 years. Itza lotta fun!

 

I currently have the yearone 350 and I like it. It has an air gap so no it wont fit under a stock hood, but your stock waterpump will fit with a little grinding of a timing cover bolt head. Its a great deal for the power in my opinion. I know warranties really dont mean as much as they say, but without any engine building knowledge it was the best way to go for me. I would rather build my own, but maybe next time.

Sean

 

In process of installing a Summit ZZ4 in my 70. Whatever engine you buy check out what comes with it and what you must add. Example, Summit's ZZ4 comes with an electric tach drive. My 70 has mechanical. Summitt could not exchange it due to warranty problem. Had to buy another and am selling the first one.
They were very helpful in recommending the extra parts needed, such as: short water pump, carb, etc.