Crate Engine Help
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 214
Likes: 0
From: Baltimore MD
Crate Engine Help
Well, my engine blew up in my 79 last weekend, thats a whole other story. So I took it to the local mechanic who said he could rebuild it and add a little muscle to it for about $2700. However, he wont give a warranty on it. When I asked about a crate he actually reccommended it. At first, it wasnt even a consideration. Now, after looking at the prices, I am all for it. The question is, and one that I ask all of you is, what are your experiences with crates, who would you recommend and why or why not. 
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 10,362
Likes: 5
From: San Diego - Deep Within The State of CONFUSION!
One thing for sure, is that for 2700 bones you're not going to get a high-perf motor. Go to a speedshop and see the price THEY want. Not a local 'mechanic.'
Crate motors are a good deal if you don't want to build your own, or have one built for you.
Crate motors are a good deal if you don't want to build your own, or have one built for you.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,986
Likes: 21
From: Columbus MN
Ditto here. The GM 350 HO Deluxe in my '80 puts 293 hp to the rear wheels with a stock BW Super T-10 4-speed. If you consider typical crank-to-RW hp loss, it's probably putting more than 330 at the crank. I've had mine for 10 years without any problems.
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Drifting
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,986
Likes: 21
From: Columbus MN
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 214
Likes: 0
From: Baltimore MD
I went through some old threads and found this http://sdparts.com/details/gm-perfor...parts/12496968 . I think that this is going to be the one I go with. Anyone have any experience with this company?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,086
Likes: 1
From: Michigan
SDPC. GMPP, Jegs, Summit, Edelbrock, Year One are just a few places to get a crate engine. I still have the numbers matching engine in my car. If it goes I will put the original engine away for the next owner and buy a crate engine. At least they are professionally built and tested so at least you know it runs. You also get a dyno sheet with the engine.
Jeffery73: I have a '73 as well with working cowl induction. The cold air intake is designed to be injested from the base of the windshield where there is a natural higher pressure area. The inside of the hood is also designed to draw air in from there. Wouldn't your CAI air cleaner work better if it were reversed with the intake over the distributor?
That is a very creative and ingenious set up though.
Jeffery73: I have a '73 as well with working cowl induction. The cold air intake is designed to be injested from the base of the windshield where there is a natural higher pressure area. The inside of the hood is also designed to draw air in from there. Wouldn't your CAI air cleaner work better if it were reversed with the intake over the distributor?
That is a very creative and ingenious set up though.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 1
From: Port Clinton Ohio
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
'08
I think that was MN80Vette's car with the cold air setup. On our cars we would just have to mod something that acted like the stock air cleaner and sealed to the opening on the underside of the hood.
I think that was MN80Vette's car with the cold air setup. On our cars we would just have to mod something that acted like the stock air cleaner and sealed to the opening on the underside of the hood.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,986
Likes: 21
From: Columbus MN
Cowl induction won't work with a stock '80 hood because the hood is tight against the top of the firewall. Options are to change hoods to get some gap for cowl induction or pull unheated air from ahead of the radiator. I chose the latter mainly for cost reasons. The spoiler and valance under the front bumper draws air up there too.
