crate motors?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,921
Likes: 0
From: GA "When I grow up, I'm gonna get a Trans Am and run from the cops". Direct quote from my 4yo son.
We need a few specifics here. How much hp etc. I put a 350/330 gmpp crate motor in my '80. No real big deal. The motor pulls hard and the car is plenty fun to drive. Go under my profile and look at my homepage. There are some pics of the swap there.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 293
Likes: 0
From: Colorado Springs Colorado
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,100
Likes: 12
From: Frederick Maryland
The ZZ4 is an excellent engine but makes its power primarily at higher rpm's. If you live at those rom's it's great, plus the wow factor of the ZZ4.
A better choice for a strictly street car is the 350 HO 330hp. It makes its power and torque at a lower rpm range that is more amenable for the street. About the only negative thing for all intents and purposes is some weight since the 350 HO has iron heads instead of aluminum.
I had a 350 HO installed in one of my cars (not a Vette) and had Edelbrock Pro-Flo RPM fuel injection added. It's not done yet as the car is still in the body shop, but it promises to be an awesome system for pleasure driving.
A better choice for a strictly street car is the 350 HO 330hp. It makes its power and torque at a lower rpm range that is more amenable for the street. About the only negative thing for all intents and purposes is some weight since the 350 HO has iron heads instead of aluminum.
I had a 350 HO installed in one of my cars (not a Vette) and had Edelbrock Pro-Flo RPM fuel injection added. It's not done yet as the car is still in the body shop, but it promises to be an awesome system for pleasure driving.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,071
Likes: 0
From: San Diego CA
Motown 454! 600hp on pump gas! Rawr!
Ha that thing costs twice as much as I even paid for my vette!
I'd say a ZZ4 is a good bet. I'd say anything with vortec heads, personally. Love those things.
Ha that thing costs twice as much as I even paid for my vette!
I'd say a ZZ4 is a good bet. I'd say anything with vortec heads, personally. Love those things.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,591
Likes: 0
From: Oakville Ontario
good motor for the money.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,986
Likes: 21
From: Columbus MN
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Intermediate
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 35
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From: perth wa
Thanks heaps for the reply.I need all the help i can get!
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,352
Likes: 787
From: Redondo Beach, California
Check out the latest GM Performance Parts Catalog. The number of engine models they're selling now is greater than it was a few years ago. They now are selling a much larger selection of "turn-key" engines;i.e. pull out the old engine and drop in the new and turn the ignition key to start. The ZZ4 is now sold in a turn-key version. Then there's their ZZ383's, 502's, 562 (!). Really eye-popping stuff.
I bought my GMPP Catalog from Summit.
I bought my GMPP Catalog from Summit.
7th Gear
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Chicago IL
Gm 350/330 vacuum
I was planning on taking my Vette to dmcorvette to have them check my vacuum lines for leaks. I just want to insure that this engine puts out enough vacuum first.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
From: vt
I would think it should have enough. Just put a 383 stroker in a '78 and it has the Comp Cams 286HR, which doesn't produce much vacuum, and the headlights still work. They certainly don't snap up like they used to with the stock motor, they are pretty slow to open, but they do open. So I think you should be alright, but they may not be as quick to open as they used to be, which I don't really consider to be a problem. Small price to pay for the performance gains.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 409
Likes: 13
From: Lavonia Georgia
Sallee/Gilbert Chevrolet
These guys have base GMPP crate engines if you like, plus they add a bit of extra spice and have their own versions if you want something a little wild or different.
http://www.sallee-chevrolet.com/fram...rformance.html
For prices, pick the engine you're interested in and then paste the P/N in the search box at the top.
http://www.sallee-chevrolet.com/fram...rformance.html
For prices, pick the engine you're interested in and then paste the P/N in the search box at the top.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,921
Likes: 0
From: GA "When I grow up, I'm gonna get a Trans Am and run from the cops". Direct quote from my 4yo son.
I’m in the process of installing the 350/330 gmpp crate motor in my 79 vette. My friend that is helping me claims that my motor doesn’t have enough vacuum to support the headlights. Is this a fallacy?
I was planning on taking my Vette to dmcorvette to have them check my vacuum lines for leaks. I just want to insure that this engine puts out enough vacuum first.
I was planning on taking my Vette to dmcorvette to have them check my vacuum lines for leaks. I just want to insure that this engine puts out enough vacuum first.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,986
Likes: 21
From: Columbus MN
As others have posted, the 350 HO (Deluxe) is one of the best engines for the money, and you can get them serviced anywhere if you don't want to do something yourself.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 230
Likes: 6
From: Washington DC
My cousin is a mechanic at the local Chevy dealer and GMPP shop. He says that's a fallacy. I can't personally vouch for vacuum operated headlights with the 350 HO because I have an electric actuators (an early version of the Killer Lights system).
As others have posted, the 350 HO (Deluxe) is one of the best engines for the money, and you can get them serviced anywhere if you don't want to do something yourself.
As others have posted, the 350 HO (Deluxe) is one of the best engines for the money, and you can get them serviced anywhere if you don't want to do something yourself.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 230
Likes: 6
From: Washington DC
If there is one thing that I learned, it is to buy as much power as you can afford. Adding power later is more expensive unless you can do all of the work. I still like my 350/330, but sometime I wish I had more power to do battle with newer cars.