Crate Engine
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Crate Engine
Starting to look into replacing the engine. Car is driveable, but the engine in now is not the original. Possible looking for a crate engine for my 78. Any suggestions, recommendations, success stories.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Look through all the GM crate motors and find what best suits your budget and power needs.
Ask yourself questions like:
Budget?
Big block or small block?
Carb or EFI?
Stroker?
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,725
Likes: 5
From: Minnesota
I've had good luck with my 350 H.O. so far. I considered the cheaper ones but went with the H.O., mainly for the vortec heads. The added expense of a vortec intake, externally balance flexplate etc. does add up though.
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
When you're talking about the price adding up, how much "added up" do you get.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,725
Likes: 5
From: Minnesota
It's been a couple of years but IIRC the vortec intake was around $120 and the GM o-ring style gasket was about $80. The flexplate was about $60 too. Just something to consider, especially if you have a good intake already. If I did the swap now I'd probably still go with the 350 H.O. though.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,986
Likes: 21
From: Columbus MN
but I bought the 350 HO Deluxe that included all those add-ons. It's been a great engine. Its personality changed completely when I installed full length headers, true duals, and hp mufflers. I had to re-jet the carb to keep up with the improved flow-through. I also get excellent service at my favorite Chevy dealer is I don't want to do some work on it myself. All the mechanics want to work on a GM PP crate engine.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,078
Likes: 0
From: Santee CA
I'm looking at a T and L engine based upon recommendations from several people on the forums here; they've got 383 stroker crate motors that look pretty good, for less than what I could build it for.
I dunno if you're looking for a stroker or just a standard 350, but you could always check them out...
http://www.tandlengines.com
I dunno if you're looking for a stroker or just a standard 350, but you could always check them out...
http://www.tandlengines.com
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Pro
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 725
Likes: 1
From: FL.
The gmpp zz Crate engines are hard to beat, especially if you dont build your own engines. They vary from Mild to wild, as does the price.
I use the ZZ383 shortblock as the foundation for present and future engine builds . It can be a stable build anywhere from 350hp to 500 or even 600hp.
Ive heard Negative comments about GMPP ZZ, It came from people involved in Aftermarket enginebuilding. GMPP is VERY competative and Taken alot of the Market . So I understand The Not so cool comments that always pop up.
Good engine builders are premium It a good way to Go , If you Know a top shop you can trust. There are LOTS of them to research
I use the ZZ383 shortblock as the foundation for present and future engine builds . It can be a stable build anywhere from 350hp to 500 or even 600hp.
Ive heard Negative comments about GMPP ZZ, It came from people involved in Aftermarket enginebuilding. GMPP is VERY competative and Taken alot of the Market . So I understand The Not so cool comments that always pop up.
Good engine builders are premium It a good way to Go , If you Know a top shop you can trust. There are LOTS of them to research
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 895
Likes: 4
From: whitman massachusetts
ZZ Crate
I still have plenty of time before I need to order a motor, have been reading as much as possible. At the moment I have my eye on the ZZ383 GM part number 12498772. Started ordering extra parts(one a month,till the old lady catches on!)First was an Edelbrock RPM Air-Gap Vortec, next a 750-800 CFM carb, leaning toward a Holley 770 Street Avenger/elec choke, etc.,etc. Hopefully by ordering a part a month, by the time I get the crate, I will have all the addon goodies I need. Saw a similar setup that dynoed at 450HP/488 FT LBS torque. Going into a c-3 turbo 400 with the HP optioned 336 rearend. Should be able to do my paper route in record time!
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
I plan on building my next motor, starting with a GM Vortec 454 long block. I may or may not keep it stock on the lower end, but I will for sure be playing with head and cam options. For sure though it will be a roller because it's a Vortec, and should prove to be a fun budget project.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 725
Likes: 1
From: FL.
I still have plenty of time before I need to order a motor, have been reading as much as possible. At the moment I have my eye on the ZZ383 GM part number 12498772. Started ordering extra parts(one a month,till the old lady catches on!)First was an Edelbrock RPM Air-Gap Vortec, next a 750-800 CFM carb, leaning toward a Holley 770 Street Avenger/elec choke, etc.,etc. Hopefully by ordering a part a month, by the time I get the crate, I will have all the addon goodies I need. Saw a similar setup that dynoed at 450HP/488 FT LBS torque. Going into a c-3 turbo 400 with the HP optioned 336 rearend. Should be able to do my paper route in record time!
Racer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 355
Likes: 0
From: milpitas ca
well i was was lookin at a the blueprint 383 in jegs/summit its not bad priced 4499 for a complete engine with 405hp/460tq.....it might be good for you...you only pay a 100 bucks more from the zz4 383 for the extra 25hp and almost 70tq....i thinkk it worth it
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 895
Likes: 4
From: whitman massachusetts
Closing my hood!
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,943
Likes: 1
From: Rosemount MN
I have this crate engine in my '79, with slightly different heads.
http://masperformance.com/490_383.htm
Mike is a great builder and will customize any way you want, check out his other engines.
This is year 2 for mine, running very strong. Most of the C-4/5 tuner motors in my area have nothing on me.
They dyno tune everyone of their engines and give you the sheets.
Give him a call and shoot the sh** with him for a few minutes.
http://masperformance.com/490_383.htm
Mike is a great builder and will customize any way you want, check out his other engines.
This is year 2 for mine, running very strong. Most of the C-4/5 tuner motors in my area have nothing on me.
They dyno tune everyone of their engines and give you the sheets.
Give him a call and shoot the sh** with him for a few minutes.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 420
Likes: 1
From: Lapeer MI
I love my 502 but you are going to invest a lot of money.
The engine is $8K then you're going to need another $3000 for the new exhaust, air filter housing, radiator, pullies and belts, and possibly suspension.
The engine is $8K then you're going to need another $3000 for the new exhaust, air filter housing, radiator, pullies and belts, and possibly suspension.