81 Engine Swap--ideas/suggestions?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 172
Likes: 0
From: Noblesville Indiana
81 Engine Swap--ideas/suggestions?
Hey Everyone,
I'll admit, I did a weak search but couldn't find anything soon enough and impatience won.
Anyway, I want to replace my stock 350 in the '81 and the choices are many.
I want to run off 87 or 89 gas and have decent everyday performance. I'm thinking somewhere around 300hp. I don't plan on drag racing or anything, but don't want to be embarrassed either.
Any suggestions, warnings, advice, testimonials, etc.??? I want to take lots of time to research to make a decision I will be happy with. I'll probably also yank the tranny while I'm at it and do it all at the same time.
Thanks for your help!!
I'll admit, I did a weak search but couldn't find anything soon enough and impatience won.
Anyway, I want to replace my stock 350 in the '81 and the choices are many.
I want to run off 87 or 89 gas and have decent everyday performance. I'm thinking somewhere around 300hp. I don't plan on drag racing or anything, but don't want to be embarrassed either.
Any suggestions, warnings, advice, testimonials, etc.??? I want to take lots of time to research to make a decision I will be happy with. I'll probably also yank the tranny while I'm at it and do it all at the same time.
Thanks for your help!!
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 11,814
Likes: 9
From: Science Bitch! Mississauga, Ontario
Canadian Events Coordinator
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 172
Likes: 0
From: Noblesville Indiana
Originally Posted by AGVI
Second...do you have the engine in the link you sent?
I've been thinking about the GM Goodwrench 290HP set up, or one of the Edelbrock Crate Performer engines.
Thanks for the replies.
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 172
Likes: 0
From: Noblesville Indiana
By the way...does anyone know why the majority of the engines have this disclaimer in the description?
"...and should only be used in 1979 and earlier pre-emissions street vehicles or any year off road vehicles."
I have an '81, so does it really matter???
Thanks again.
"...and should only be used in 1979 and earlier pre-emissions street vehicles or any year off road vehicles."
I have an '81, so does it really matter???
Thanks again.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 8,295
Likes: 30
From: one night in Bangkok you are never lonely
Originally Posted by apester4u
Bangkok...what engine package is that???
It looks great!!!
It looks great!!!
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,071
Likes: 0
From: San Diego CA
Edelbrock's parts are excellent quality and a good choice if you don't want to have to mix and match. I personally like mixing and matching to my preference and try to get the best price:performance.
If you have $10k to burn you can get a 454 small block from World Products and do 600hp on 91 octane
The disclaimer has to do with computers.
If you have $10k to burn you can get a 454 small block from World Products and do 600hp on 91 octane
The disclaimer has to do with computers.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 172
Likes: 0
From: Noblesville Indiana
HA! A 454/600HP is a little more than I need or want, but thanks for the FYI.
I think I'm leaning more and more towards the Performer 8.5:1 310 HP/375 Torque Edelbrock Crate motor.
Seems to be the closest match to what I'm looking for. I'm just trying to plan what else I would need in addition to what comes with the engine in order to make it work. I'm also trying to decide whether to go ahead and replace the tranny now, or wait until the original one gives out. The original is in good shape at this point, but I'm not sure how much longer it will stay that way after increasing the HP by 163%!
I think I'm leaning more and more towards the Performer 8.5:1 310 HP/375 Torque Edelbrock Crate motor.
Seems to be the closest match to what I'm looking for. I'm just trying to plan what else I would need in addition to what comes with the engine in order to make it work. I'm also trying to decide whether to go ahead and replace the tranny now, or wait until the original one gives out. The original is in good shape at this point, but I'm not sure how much longer it will stay that way after increasing the HP by 163%!
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,071
Likes: 0
From: San Diego CA
Originally Posted by apester4u
HA! A 454/600HP is a little more than I need or want, but thanks for the FYI.
I think I'm leaning more and more towards the Performer 8.5:1 310 HP/375 Torque Edelbrock Crate motor.
Seems to be the closest match to what I'm looking for. I'm just trying to plan what else I would need in addition to what comes with the engine in order to make it work. I'm also trying to decide whether to go ahead and replace the tranny now, or wait until the original one gives out. The original is in good shape at this point, but I'm not sure how much longer it will stay that way after increasing the HP by 163%!
I think I'm leaning more and more towards the Performer 8.5:1 310 HP/375 Torque Edelbrock Crate motor.
Seems to be the closest match to what I'm looking for. I'm just trying to plan what else I would need in addition to what comes with the engine in order to make it work. I'm also trying to decide whether to go ahead and replace the tranny now, or wait until the original one gives out. The original is in good shape at this point, but I'm not sure how much longer it will stay that way after increasing the HP by 163%!
Pro
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 564
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh PA
Originally Posted by markdtn
Late LT1 or TPI swap. "Fuel injected therapy for the torque impaired".
While, on one hand, you may say that it'll be more expensive to run a high-octane engine, the LS-1 engine is extremely efficient, yet still very powerful.
With highway gears, an LS-1/4-speed automatic from a wrecked Camaro/Firebird will set you back $3-4K, depending on what you find (EBay), add another $1.5K to get it installed, and you've got your classic looks and modern drivetrain...
Consider this: I traded in my '03 Vette on an '05 Monte Carlo (3.4L V-6). The cost of running the new car is the same as the Vette, because the Vette got *better* gas mileage than my "family" car does now... and that includes switching from the 91-octane gas to the cheaper 87-octane...
I would seriously recommend this, as a viable option... You can have your cake and eat it, too... and for a good price. The key is EFI...
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,883
Likes: 124
From: Lubbock TX
Don't handicap yourself with 8.5:1 compression. Go ahead and bump it a point, you'll be fine. I like the ZZ4 crate engine - plenty of power, warranty, etc. Nothing personal against Edelbrock, but if you'll compare their stuff to Dart, Brodix, etc., you'll see that they're far from highest quality. They're fine for daily driver type stuff but their castings tend to have a good bit of shift in them and they don't hold up nearly as well as others in high performance environments.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 3,921
Likes: 2
From: York PA
Check into your emission laws. Your '81 came with a computer controlled carb (search for E4ME or look for my posts) and if you need to keep it your options will be limited. If not then the sky is open. A big block will bolt right in 
I converted mine to EFI, raised the compression to 10:1 and, put in a slightly bigger cam. I'm probably in the upper 200's now, but I haven't had is on a dyno and is wasn't tuned well went I went to the track. I just aquired a 400 block, but I'm out of money until I find a job so that will be stored for now.
click the link in my signature for pictures
I converted mine to EFI, raised the compression to 10:1 and, put in a slightly bigger cam. I'm probably in the upper 200's now, but I haven't had is on a dyno and is wasn't tuned well went I went to the track. I just aquired a 400 block, but I'm out of money until I find a job so that will be stored for now.
click the link in my signature for pictures
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 4,855
Likes: 2
From: Columbia South Carolina
GO BIG DUDE! 502! I have seen a website called diabolicalcorvette.com or something close to that that deals in putting big blocks into later model C-3s just do a search..It might be Diabolical performance......memory not what it once was. Grammer neither.
