I know that this is probably a noob question, but I am new to this scene, and this is the first V8 car that I have ever worked on.

I have been doing some reading, and apparently the 75 vette base engine is pretty much crap for power. I am wondering if there is a way to build this engine to put out decent power, or if it is just garbage. Additionally, would it cost me more to build this motor to make power than it would to just buy a ZZ4 crate motor and install it. I am sorry if this has been touced on a million times, but I want to know what roads I have available to me before I start on this project.

 

it has been touched a millon times, but welcome.....the problem with you engine is that it was detuned for emissions purposes....you can build it up and make it very powerful or you can replace it.....this ride is like a roller coaster for everyone who gets on it....the cost of rebuilding your motor is close to the cost of a factory crate motor with a warranty.....then we have the HP factor to consider.....$$$$$. get a couple of books on rebuilding engines so yu know what is involved and compare prices of new crate engines and welcome on board the roller coaster.....i finally got off at the buy a locally rebuilt engine stop....

 

If your car is a numbers matching car then I would take the original motor out, put it aside for future restoration or to sell with the car. The advantage now is the motor is unmodified (hopefully) and that will be a plus for someome who wants a restoration. (even if they rebuild they may not have to bore). Then get a crate motor.

cal

 

That what I did except I did not buy a crate engine, I built one from a salvaged block. See sig

 

Ok, thank you. The car is numbers matching, however, the transmission has been modified. The engine has never been rebuilt, and it runs great, it is just a lot underpowered for my tastes...my VW GTI has more power than the vette. Looks like my best bet will be to pull the engine, store it, and put a crate motor in. Thanks again!

 

The answer to your first question is absolutely, this engine can be built, even stroked to make all of the power you want. The answer to your second question is possibly… it just depends on a few factors... Like the condition of the original engine and what might be required to bring it back to a good reliable engine to start with. If it's a low mileage engine or one that has little internal wear on it, a seasoned engine is a great starting place for building a strong and affordable powerplant. If it's well worn and in need of everything and your expectations are high, well a crate engine may be the better option.

One thing I have learned since I started in this hobby almost 40 years ago is that, all else being equal… an original engine car is always going to be more valuable. For that reason I would look very hard at what you have to work with and where you want to go before making a decision. What may be cheaper today won't necessarily turn out to have been the wisest decision in the future.

With all due respect to Cal, I have seen more than a few original engines that were set aside for possible return to originality, disappear over time like yesterdays junk. A few were just abandoned, and a few more were sold for extra mod money or just because they were in the way. You only need spend a little time on the C1/C2 Forum to get a flavor for just how much these folks angst over original engines… and with justifiable cause. People go to great lengths of expense and even deception to "find" the original engine for their now, very valuable car.

Unfortunately, back in the day many of us tossed these original engines like an old girlfriend… for something with just a little more to offer… Just check out the price of a nice '67, 300 hp 327 Corvette; with the original engine today… it's enough to make an old hot rodder cry!

Good luck… GUSTO

 

just to chime in,

Crate vs rebuild i say rebuild, and fix what the General screwed up. But this is very dependant on you ability to do your own wrenching or finding someone who can. If your not going racing, with a new cam, new heads, decent breating carb, and headers you can revitalize that 350 to a respectable cruiser. Hell you could just pick up the parts with the same specs and clone your self an LT1 as far as HP goes, and thats leaving the bottom end alone. becarefully listening to the guys on this forum. we love to spend other peoples money, and generally think in terms of 500 HP or better

good luck



tim

 

I am not looking for 500+WHP, more in the range of 280-300 WHP and 350+ Wtq. The car is not being turned into a racer, and I am not concerned in turning a 1/4 mile in under 10 seconds. I want a vette that is fun to drive so I can take the t-tops off and cruise on those rare sunny Washington state days.

 

and that's what I did with my '75!

 

It is true if you take out the original you do not want to lose it. I have a 61, 69, 73, and 72. I stored the 61 and 72. I had to find a BB for my 73 with correct cast numbers that was not bored to much and I have it stored. When I am done playing I will restore and replace the original blocks. The risk, (THOUGH A MINOR ONE) is that you bore and play with the original one and ruin the block, or get it to a point where can not be bored again. My 69 is the original block matching numbers car that I drive seldom so leaving the original in is OK. The 72 will be a daily driver with extra power, so I will not use the original block but make it look original. Off course with the extra power in the 350 it will not sound like the stock sub 200HP 72. It all depends on you.

cal

PS, The 61 has a LS1 with a Paul Newman chasis. The car was a original fuelie, I have every thing to take it back to original, at some expense however.

 

Brotharon, I'm in the same boat as you with my '75. The's a link to my thread that I started a few days ago. I think it's pretty informative and might answer some of your questions and give you a few ideas(it did to me). I'm going with all these choices! Good Luck.

Link:Clicky

 

You don't need a crate engine to do that.

 

I've had allot of fun driving around New England with my stock 75 the way it is. Mine has 66K and has never been apart. BUT, I know how you feel about the power. I was faced with the same delema about rebuilding or purchasing a crate motor this winter. I talked to several good motor places in my area and priced the GM crate motors. As it turned out, FOR ME, I was better off buying a crate motor with a guarantee, since I had been away from building engines for a lot of years. There's still plenty to do with upgrading the other parts you take off that are worn out or need refirbishment, painting the engine bay, re-coring the radiator, rebuilding the carb etc. In my case I'm happy with what I chose to do, I think it was cheaper in the long run for me. I'm still in the process of getting the car ready for the motor but it's sitting on a dolly ready to go.

Good luck with your choice.

Bill

 

try this first,

edelbrock performer package intake and carb 2.02 heads 64 cc combustion chanber, 650-700 cfm carb
upgrade the rocker arms and change the ratio to 1.6 (poor mans cam upgrade )

and as long as the intake is off replace the lifters and pushrods.

very easy to do, takes up a saturday afternoon

 

I have heard from guys who have used Eldle's performance packages that they work well
cal