What to do now?

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Mar 12, 2012 | 07:51 PM

chadronvette

Thread Starter

Instructor

Joined: Mar 2008

Posts: 149

Likes: 3

From: Chadron Ne

What to do now?

After several years of bothering my wife for money to work on my 72 vette, I finally managed to put together some funds. I have a very tired 350 with an even more worn out automatic transmission. I am looking at the Year one crate engine (the 400 horse 350 for $3000) as well as a Bowtie Overdrive 200R4 transmission. I have looked over several of the postings on the forum for both but just need a little more input. My budget is limited and I have thought about just having the engine overhauled with new heads and cam but the price comes very close to the Yearone crate engine.

Any thought, suggestions or ideas would be most welcome.

Thanks in advance.

Mike

Mar 12, 2012 | 08:25 PM

Mark Riles

Pro

Joined: Feb 2012

Posts: 577

Likes: 6

Can you or will you do the rebuild yourself? If not, get the crate engine and the BTO transmission and have them installed. You'll love the results. I like things simple. I also like to build engines so I will agree with those that tell you to rebuild yours but if you can't and are paying someone else to then there is nothing wrong with a tried and tested crate engine.

Mar 12, 2012 | 09:25 PM

jesse10886

Burning Brakes

Joined: Oct 2011

Posts: 1,093

Likes: 2

From: long beach California

If you can do it yourself a rebuild of the numbers matching engine. If that is what you have a nom rebuild is the way to go hands down! if not nothing wrong with a 400hp crate the overdrive trans is the best idea possible second to doing a six speed swap

Mar 12, 2012 | 10:19 PM

markids77

Melting Slicks

Joined: Jun 2009

Posts: 2,709

Likes: 3

From: Savannah GA

The Year One crates are a good value, and their "combinations" of parts have been debugged and proven to work together effectively. Save your original engine (if it is original) and trans for a future owner, install a frsh powertrain and cruise happy and trouble free this season. It's almost a no-brainer if you'd rather drive than wrench.

Mar 13, 2012 | 07:48 AM

chadronvette

Thread Starter

Instructor

Joined: Mar 2008

Posts: 149

Likes: 3

From: Chadron Ne

Thanks for the input. I have looked at the numbers, and they do match, but the car itself has had some tough years. The title does not show a salvage but the body work that was done in the past indicates a pretty bad crash at some point. I am not looking to build a drag car. I would like a dependable car that doesn't get smoked by a stock 87 camaro with a carberated 305.

Mar 13, 2012 | 08:21 AM

U17

Melting Slicks

Joined: Dec 2008

Posts: 2,070

Likes: 5

From: N.Richland Hills Texas

I went with the ZZ383 and 700R4... Still have the 350 and trans... I wanted a cruiser I could count on... You never know what you are going to find when you get into a engine.... This way I know and can OH the 350 if I want....

Mar 13, 2012 | 09:12 AM

MalibuVLX

Racer

Joined: Dec 2009

Posts: 415

Likes: 10

From: Richmond Va

I know there are a ton of options out there and Year One is tops as far as I am concerned. But, I just put this 383 motor in my fathers 83 shortbed pickup and it is outstanding. He can roast the tires rolling down the street at 25mph. They have a good warranty and we have had no issues w/ the motor. Only surprise to us was that you have to use an electric fuel pump due to the year of the block. I am not trying to sell you anything, just information for your build. We are on a budget as well and very happy with our decision. We rebuilt the 700 that was behind the tired 305 w/ better internals to hold up to the new horses.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/CHEVY-383-42...item2ebc2e90f8