If I was in your shoes I would keep the original engine for posterity and swap in an LS1.

 

Ls1

 

I was in the same state of mind a few months ago - kept looking at moding my 180 (when new) hp engine or swapping LT1/LS1. Really like the LS1's (love my 98 vette!) but plan on spending more - finally took the plunge and bought a 01/00 vette engine (no tranny, no computer, no pcm). Was advised to get F body drop out (might end up wishing I did) - looked at wrecked 98-02 camaros, etc.
So my vote it LS1! Like 70LS1 says hard to beat great mileage and good horsepower!
The journey is part of the fun!

 

Id build the original engine up to around 300 HP that you want without any visual clues.Let it be a sleeper.383 is not a bad idea either.Good usable street torque.
So I choose option C.

 

I've been lately looking at some 350's...they don't seem that expensive to get it up to the 400's.

 

What do you guys think of this engine?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...RK%3AMEWA%3AIT

 

For some reason my gut keeps saying to stay with a GM Performance Products crate engine. I too have been on the fence with an engine swap. I have found a tremendous amount of help and pricing from a GM dealer in Raleigh, NC. I'm a sucker for good service/support and a live voice on the other end of the line. My contact:Scott Tilley @ Bobby Murray Chevrolet. They have a great website and Scott is quick on the emails. Scott Tilley [scott@bobbymurray.com]scott@bobbymurray.com

 

No way that intake will fit under your hood. And once you get rid of that intake, you will lose some Hp. And I think it is funny that they say MASSIVE 2.02 heads. Aren't all C3 heads 2.02 heads? Seems like a decent price

I'm still voting for LS1 or at least LT1.

 

What would be a major benifite from the LS1/LT1 compared to a chevy crate engine with similiar power? Before I was set on the LS1 and now it feels that I'm starting to lean towards crate engines...

 

Look at the warranty whether it be bench built or crate. I like the crate engine program from GM for the warranty, engineering $$$$ behind it and the availablility as a complete turn key engine. ZZ-4 comes with 355 ponies out of the box, 406 lb/ft torque and a 12 month warranty for $3800.00.

 

Crate engines are destroying the art of engine building. We are letting the marketing world take over the hotrodders dream of building a better and faster engine.

If it was not for old time hot rodders tearing them down and putting them back together to "go fast", high performance and the racing would not be what it is today.

Now don't assume I am against crate engines, I think they have their place, and they do build some powerful engines with great prices and good waranties.

The hotrod spirit in all of us and in honor of past hotrod generations, demands that if we are able, we should keep building engines. If you can do it, build your own, don't just buy it out of a box, the self satisfaction is enormous.

I am running a 383 built from a TWZ 4-bolt truck block. What I really wanted to do was build this really cheap torque monster below, but I gave up to fast got the 350 block and then spent to much on a super strong lower end:

400ci SBC (which is a 383 stroker with a larger bore), use
stock crank, if bored .030 than you end up with 406ci +/-

Stock Rods

Flat top pistons (if bored need new)

Vortec heads (you want around 10-10.5 CR, maybe less with
iron heads?

Roller cam (you decide on how agressive)

hyd roller lifters (retrofit from V6, see below thread)
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...ers&forum_id=3

Good Headers

Good Intake that will fit your application

Aspirate it with a good Barry Grant or Holley carb

Upgrades:

Forged crank, rods, and pistons

Better heads (World products, aluminum AFR, Edelbrock,
Dart, etc.

Aspriation (Fuel Injection, multiple carbs)

Upgrade all bolts to ARP

Notes:

Stock components will give you a strong 350\400hp engine.

2-Bolt main block should be good to 500 hp.

 

10-4 on the diminsihing art of HOT RODDING. Small speed shop in Erie, PA. built my first mouse motor and it was a blast. I got to know the guy well over the years buying more go fast goodies and established an enormous amount of trust and respect. If I was building that HOT ROD again I would probably do it all again. Now the crate motor seems to be a great platform to build from. Lacking that connection here in a new(er) town, I do miss that speedshop back home.

Jim Gemler, if you're out there, thanks for those memories...

 

I agree with what your saying. The is a greater satisfaction with making your own engine, rather than getting a crate one. If I had a choice, I would go with builting one myself. As I said before, I'm in the learning stage of all the choices available. I was surprised at how pretty good some of these crate engines are with the hp that they put out. I've been thinking about getting the GM one that puts out 260($1300), and use that as a building base and try to work that sucker up to 400+.
That's for the list of what you did to your engine, this gives me a base on what to search for more specifically

 

No many are 1.94 heads.....

a decent price... but I think he should go with an LS1. I know I will one day.... i want to do a twin turbo ls1 next.... with sidepipes... keep your eyes out for it

 

Well Put.