What motor for C3?
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
What motor for C3?
So I'm going to be purchasing a C3 Corvette soon and plan I dropping a new motor in. I live in Chicago so this will be just a summer ride. I want some good HP but don't want to spend a ton on a motor (around 4-5k). I've been reading a lot about people adding a ZZ4 or getting a 383 stroker. I've heard good things about Pace and ATK. I will not be building so I would prefer a crate motor. Looking for something putting out 360-450 HP. I'm new to this forum and to corvettes so any advice would appreciated.
Thanks
Thanks
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,750
Likes: 268
From: Central Wisconsin
Welcome to the forum. I bought a 383 stroker from ATK through Summit. Its a short block I paid 2000 for it which I think is a great price, I could not have my 350 stroked out for that kind of money.
How about those Cubs !!!
How about those Cubs !!!
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
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From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
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They say that c3 handling is best with a small block motor due to weight. The 383 stroker seems to be the engine of choice and is readily available and has plenty of after market parts available. Its definitely in your price and horsepower range
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,071
Likes: 147
From: S Nevada
I had my original 350 block turned into a 383 too. With a good set of heads and decent cam, it puts out pretty good power. The engine builder told me the parts he used typically yield 435 hp. I rebuilt the M20 and changed the ring and pinion to a 3:55
I also have a 2 yr old SS Camaro, LS3 and a 6 spd. Its a factory hotrod, as good as any built.
I think my Corvette will give that Camaro a real close race in the quarter mile. Maybe its the rawness of the old gen 1 smallblock, maybe the cam and idle. But the corvette always gets me way more excited to drive.
I also have a 2 yr old SS Camaro, LS3 and a 6 spd. Its a factory hotrod, as good as any built.
I think my Corvette will give that Camaro a real close race in the quarter mile. Maybe its the rawness of the old gen 1 smallblock, maybe the cam and idle. But the corvette always gets me way more excited to drive.
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Instructor
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 168
Likes: 4
From: central Washington state
Think 400 small block
What the C3 needs is displacement. Small block 400 engines are not hard to come by and not expensive. Assuming you want a street motor, why give up the extra cubes with a 383? It's very easy to have a 400 small block built to be mild-mannered, and with a mild cam and a good set of heads, 400 h.p. is easily achievable. It will definitely put a smile on your face! I speak from personal experience.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 3,004
Likes: 104
From: NC
With a C3 being so light I went with a 355, looked for a high rpm range as intake is a lot higher rpm range.
I also already had lots if 350 goodies such as balancer.
It's really more about the complete package than just cubic inches. Good heads/valve train, etc regardless of engine size.
I also already had lots if 350 goodies such as balancer.
It's really more about the complete package than just cubic inches. Good heads/valve train, etc regardless of engine size.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Id choose GM over most crate rebuilders
Dont be shy with cam/heads exh int the larger stroke can make use of plenty of air. Ditch the manifolds too why choke it up its like covering up a pair of plastic DDs
x2 on C3 weight. 350 imo is on the small side for a heavy car bigger stroke in there the better wonder why GM never made one in the first place great overall st motor....why they never used the 400 is beyond me. Station wagons and trucks got em but the vette gets a wheezy 350.
Dont be shy with cam/heads exh int the larger stroke can make use of plenty of air. Ditch the manifolds too why choke it up its like covering up a pair of plastic DDs
x2 on C3 weight. 350 imo is on the small side for a heavy car bigger stroke in there the better wonder why GM never made one in the first place great overall st motor....why they never used the 400 is beyond me. Station wagons and trucks got em but the vette gets a wheezy 350.
Last edited by cv67; Nov 10, 2016 at 10:57 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 14,406
Likes: 8,212
From: Napa Valley California
What year C3 are you purchasing? Manual or automatic? If its a numbers matching car or if it is a rare model, you may want to consider pulling the original motor and having it rebuilt. Drive it around for a while to see where you want to improve the performance before you just toss in anything that may not perform where you want it or need it to. Good luck and enjoy.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 14,406
Likes: 8,212
From: Napa Valley California
Id choose GM over most crate rebuilders
Dont be shy with cam/heads exh int the larger stroke can make use of plenty of air. Ditch the manifolds too why choke it up its like covering up a pair of plastic DDs
x2 on C3 weight. 350 imo is on the small side for a heavy car bigger stroke in there the better wonder why GM never made one in the first place great overall st motor....why they never used the 400 is beyond me. Station wagons and trucks got em but the vette gets a wheezy 350.
Dont be shy with cam/heads exh int the larger stroke can make use of plenty of air. Ditch the manifolds too why choke it up its like covering up a pair of plastic DDs
x2 on C3 weight. 350 imo is on the small side for a heavy car bigger stroke in there the better wonder why GM never made one in the first place great overall st motor....why they never used the 400 is beyond me. Station wagons and trucks got em but the vette gets a wheezy 350.
Last edited by OldCarBum; Nov 11, 2016 at 01:49 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 3,181
Likes: 732
From: Texas City, TX Texas
Was that not the Pontiac 400? Same displacement, completely different engine? I don't think Camaro/Firebird "shared" engines until the "corporate" engines of the 1980s.