Help me spend $$$ - Engine thoughts
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 10,039
Likes: 669
From: FL
Help me spend $$$ - Engine thoughts
Well gentlemen, I am 3+ months into my one year in the sandbox. Saving some serious coin and thinking about how to spend a ridiculous amount on the car when I get home. I want this car to be a fun good weather DD. I have my truck for bad weather and when the Corvette breaks and I don't mind doing my own work.
So far, the list includes:
Corvette Steering Jeep box
Hydroboost
Upgraded suspension - either VBP full transverse leaf setup or Van Steel coilovers
Offset T-Arms
17x8 fronts, 17x9.5 wheels (maybe 18" in the back)
So, with all this done, I am thinking that I want MORE POWER than my little 350 can provide.
So, here are my thoughts:
1. Big small block: 400+ cubic inch (406, 415, 427, 434)
Pros: Can use current accessories, exhaust, possibly cheaper
Cons: May need new hood. Still only a small block
2. Big block: Thinking 502, maybe ZZ502 or even more. I have seen some crate BB with and easy 600HP
Pros: It's a BB, TORQUE
Cons: $, new hood, new accessories, new headers
3. LS crate motor: I would love to do an LS7 with a cam.
Pros: New tech, good driver with excellent power
Cons: $$$, exhaust (may have to go back to undercar)
Lets see what the good folks here on CF think.
So far, the list includes:
Corvette Steering Jeep box
Hydroboost
Upgraded suspension - either VBP full transverse leaf setup or Van Steel coilovers
Offset T-Arms
17x8 fronts, 17x9.5 wheels (maybe 18" in the back)
So, with all this done, I am thinking that I want MORE POWER than my little 350 can provide.
So, here are my thoughts:
1. Big small block: 400+ cubic inch (406, 415, 427, 434)
Pros: Can use current accessories, exhaust, possibly cheaper
Cons: May need new hood. Still only a small block
2. Big block: Thinking 502, maybe ZZ502 or even more. I have seen some crate BB with and easy 600HP
Pros: It's a BB, TORQUE
Cons: $, new hood, new accessories, new headers
3. LS crate motor: I would love to do an LS7 with a cam.
Pros: New tech, good driver with excellent power
Cons: $$$, exhaust (may have to go back to undercar)
Lets see what the good folks here on CF think.
Last edited by SteveG75; Jul 22, 2006 at 01:27 AM.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 564
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh PA
Originally Posted by rihwoods
Only choice is this: ZZ502/502....only engine where you must wear a jockstrap to drive it...
Rich
Rich
Build a healthy 454 or even a 496, save the extra money that you'd have spent for the ZZ502, and have fun...
A lot of guys are here, that'd probably be able to help you get it all together...
I'm a BIG believer in the DIY approach, and putting all of that extra money back into your OWN pocket...
Senior Member since 1492
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 87,920
Likes: 156
From: Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean people aren't out to get me...
St. Jude Donor '09
If you stay SB, you'll always wonder....hmmmm, wonder what that BB would've been like. 
That's why I did it.
That's why I did it.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 19,659
Likes: 34
From: Lenoir City Tennessee
Ci 6, 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
I would like to go the LS route too. I think for a DD like you said, the LS would be more economical fuel mileage wise plus they are pretty darn stout to begin with. Heads and cams really wake them up also.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 291
Likes: 0
From: Guantanamo Bay, Cuba (home in Colorado Springs)
Hello from Baghdad!
I'm over at Victory; 10+ months now and I just extended for another year. No jobs back in the US right now anyway.
I've been looking at the enginefactory.com for a crate motor. Fuel prices are going to hit $4 per gal soon so a small block 350 will deliver all the fun you need and could afford to operate. Points to ponder; Your Vette looks nice already, do you really want to dump that $$$ into it or something else? Your Vette weighs in at almost 3100+ pounds...look at lighting it up a bit with aluminum heads, intake, headers, alum water pump, mini-starter and alum A-arms. Put a fiberglass rear spring on it. Roller cams are very expensive and it is debatable if cost effective for street use on a DD.
You've already got a nice Vette...go buy you a jetski to pull behind it. I may end up with a DIY rebuild on my project Vette/mobile money pit. Yes, a big block will fit in the engine compartment, but that brings along a whole new set of challenges such as heat, vehicle weight, anti-sway bar matching, fuel consumption, speeding tickets, suspention & drive train upgrades, etc.
I've been looking at the enginefactory.com for a crate motor. Fuel prices are going to hit $4 per gal soon so a small block 350 will deliver all the fun you need and could afford to operate. Points to ponder; Your Vette looks nice already, do you really want to dump that $$$ into it or something else? Your Vette weighs in at almost 3100+ pounds...look at lighting it up a bit with aluminum heads, intake, headers, alum water pump, mini-starter and alum A-arms. Put a fiberglass rear spring on it. Roller cams are very expensive and it is debatable if cost effective for street use on a DD.
You've already got a nice Vette...go buy you a jetski to pull behind it. I may end up with a DIY rebuild on my project Vette/mobile money pit. Yes, a big block will fit in the engine compartment, but that brings along a whole new set of challenges such as heat, vehicle weight, anti-sway bar matching, fuel consumption, speeding tickets, suspention & drive train upgrades, etc.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 2,231
Likes: 7
From: Fort Pierce Florida
I'm going LS1 with LS6 heads, cam, and a maggie supercharger with a 90mm throttlebody. Should be more power then the LS7 for less $$$ and I think it will fit under my hood. If I had gobs of money I'd go LS7 though.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 2,231
Likes: 7
From: Fort Pierce Florida
Originally Posted by VIPERBARON
I've been looking at the enginefactory.com for a crate motor.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 30,183
Likes: 313
From: Lake Norman NC
of those choices..and spending some serious money...i would go Big Block 650+ hp, big cubes, and something very streetable. Easier swap than a LS motor, plus..it looks having your engine compartment filled up.
having your engine compartment filled up.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 10,039
Likes: 669
From: FL
Originally Posted by VIPERBARON
I'm over at Victory; 10+ months now and I just extended for another year. No jobs back in the US right now anyway.
I've been looking at the enginefactory.com for a crate motor. Fuel prices are going to hit $4 per gal soon so a small block 350 will deliver all the fun you need and could afford to operate. Points to ponder; Your Vette looks nice already, do you really want to dump that $$$ into it or something else? Your Vette weighs in at almost 3100+ pounds...look at lighting it up a bit with aluminum heads, intake, headers, alum water pump, mini-starter and alum A-arms. Put a fiberglass rear spring on it. Roller cams are very expensive and it is debatable if cost effective for street use on a DD.
You've already got a nice Vette...go buy you a jetski to pull behind it. I may end up with a DIY rebuild on my project Vette/mobile money pit. Yes, a big block will fit in the engine compartment, but that brings along a whole new set of challenges such as heat, vehicle weight, anti-sway bar matching, fuel consumption, speeding tickets, suspention & drive train upgrades, etc.
I've been looking at the enginefactory.com for a crate motor. Fuel prices are going to hit $4 per gal soon so a small block 350 will deliver all the fun you need and could afford to operate. Points to ponder; Your Vette looks nice already, do you really want to dump that $$$ into it or something else? Your Vette weighs in at almost 3100+ pounds...look at lighting it up a bit with aluminum heads, intake, headers, alum water pump, mini-starter and alum A-arms. Put a fiberglass rear spring on it. Roller cams are very expensive and it is debatable if cost effective for street use on a DD.
You've already got a nice Vette...go buy you a jetski to pull behind it. I may end up with a DIY rebuild on my project Vette/mobile money pit. Yes, a big block will fit in the engine compartment, but that brings along a whole new set of challenges such as heat, vehicle weight, anti-sway bar matching, fuel consumption, speeding tickets, suspention & drive train upgrades, etc.
I was thinking LS but now I am thinking big block. This is a 3-4000 mile a year car, not 12,000. And fuel injection is great but secondaries are so much fun.
The idea of 500 ft lbs at 2500 rpm is pretty intoxicating. I can smoke the tires at will in first but I want something that will smoke them at 50 mph
. Gilbert Chevrolet (formerly Sallee Chevrolet) has a ZZ502 based motor that has 625 hp at 6200 rpm and 600 ft lbs at 4600 rpm. 9.6:1 compression. Basically a ZZ502 with ported heads and a Crane mechanical roller specing 236/244 @ 0.050". Pretty mild cam for a BB. I may look into seeing how much to assemble myself off a ZZ502 short block. Maybe with AFR heads.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,407
Likes: 2
From: Carmichael CA
I'd recommend the 350 HO. I was just at the GM dealer and the 330HP 350HO base engine (long block) was availble for $2700. The 355HP ZZ4 on the other hand was like $4500...just for an additional 25HP. The 426HP 454HO is $5200...nearly twice as much for that extra 100HP, and you will need every bit of new hardware to go with it which would add another $1,000. For a daily driver I don't think the extra HP justifies the price. You would also have that extra weight which would require stiffer springs and shocks.
Although I think a big block would be fun and definitely would have more torque and power, I just think that the $$$ could be spent on something like fuel injection.
Although I think a big block would be fun and definitely would have more torque and power, I just think that the $$$ could be spent on something like fuel injection.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 10,039
Likes: 669
From: FL
Originally Posted by Little Mouse
It would be nice to know if you are a corner person or strait line
man. corner carver large cube all aluminum LS7. strait line 540/572
rat motor.
man. corner carver large cube all aluminum LS7. strait line 540/572
rat motor.
Just the idea of a BB appeals to me right now. I am running what is basically a ZZ4 right now. Power is addictive.
