Crate Engine or Rebuild...which is better?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,713
Likes: 31
From: Shreveport LA
LA Events Coordinator
Crate Engine or Rebuild...which is better?
Here's the situation....my engine (106,800 miles on her) is beginning to have a loud knocking noise when it is cold and somewhat disappears when it warms up. It sounds like a crank bearing or something bad is going on in there. Also, I'm getting about 500-600 miles to a qt of oil (on the interstate @ 3500 rpms) . It's not leaking or burning it (the plugs are all normal and clean). The engine has been rebuilt once before (about 50,000 miles ago). It was bored out .030 with all new guts and a mild cam. I feel like the engine's really tired.....
So here's the question....Would it be better to have the engine pulled, tear it down completely and have it rebuilt, and then reinstall it (all professionally)?
OR
Pull the engine and replace it, professionally, with a crate engine. It would be a long block replacement since all the perephials (water pump, intake, carb, etc, etc, etc) are new.
If I swap the engine, I plan to store the orginal block & heads in the garage (covered of course) to maintain the numbers matching value.
AND if it's better to swap than rebuild, where should I go to purchase a good one? Saw the engine from Year 1. GM Performance?
Looking for a solid 350 or 383. Any info will be very helpful.....
So here's the question....Would it be better to have the engine pulled, tear it down completely and have it rebuilt, and then reinstall it (all professionally)?
OR
Pull the engine and replace it, professionally, with a crate engine. It would be a long block replacement since all the perephials (water pump, intake, carb, etc, etc, etc) are new.
If I swap the engine, I plan to store the orginal block & heads in the garage (covered of course) to maintain the numbers matching value.
AND if it's better to swap than rebuild, where should I go to purchase a good one? Saw the engine from Year 1. GM Performance?
Looking for a solid 350 or 383. Any info will be very helpful.....
Last edited by vetteguy75; Jun 30, 2007 at 07:09 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,100
Likes: 12
From: Frederick Maryland
A crate engine is by far the better value. By the time you figure the cost of a rebuild...head work, boring the engine, new pistons, camshaft, etc., you'll have more invested than buying a crate engine, dropping it in plus it comes with a warranty.
There are some good crates out there...use GM Performance as a baseline of comparison. I recently had a GM Performance 350 HO 330 hp crate installed in a car...excellent value for the money. A lot depends on what you plan to do with the car...strictly a street cruiser or will it get some strip time? That can make a difference on which engine to get.
There are some good crates out there...use GM Performance as a baseline of comparison. I recently had a GM Performance 350 HO 330 hp crate installed in a car...excellent value for the money. A lot depends on what you plan to do with the car...strictly a street cruiser or will it get some strip time? That can make a difference on which engine to get.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,713
Likes: 31
From: Shreveport LA
LA Events Coordinator
Strictly a street cruiser...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,100
Likes: 12
From: Frederick Maryland
Since you do strictly cruising on the street, an 350 HO or equivalent should do all you want. A friend recently installed a GM Performance 350 290 hp crate engine in his '66 Corvette coupe and it does all he wants, but he did say he now would have liked to have gone with a bit more power. The 290 hp is a regular fuel engine...the 350 HO requires premium fuel...that can help make the difference on selection as well.
A ZZ4 is a damn fine engine, but it likes to run at higher rpm's...the 350 HO has a more usable power curve for a street cruiser. I have to admit it would be nice to have the aluminum heads, though.
A ZZ4 is a damn fine engine, but it likes to run at higher rpm's...the 350 HO has a more usable power curve for a street cruiser. I have to admit it would be nice to have the aluminum heads, though.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,529
Likes: 27
From: Auburndale Florida
2025 C2 of the Year ('64-'66) Finalist - Unmodified
St. Jude Donor '03-'05-'06-'07-'09
After $5,500 and an engine that is leaking oil out of the back. I may have to pull it for the 2nd time after the build, first time for leaks and bad rings and only thing original is the block. All new internals and alum heads etc. I wish I would have parked the matching #'s block and bought the the 350 crate engine form Year One for $2995. Comes with a roller cam, vortec heads (not a big fan of the look of center bolts) 400 plus HP and a warrenty. There are tons of options...GM has some great offerings, a 383 short blocks, the ZZ line and so on. Take your time and do the research!!!
Mark
Mark
Last edited by mbeeman350; Jun 30, 2007 at 11:05 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,428
Likes: 5
From: Japan
Unless you need to feed your ego by constantly reminding everybody about the bitchin' motor you built all by yourself (I've been guilty of the more than once) OR the numbers-matching deal is real important to you (by those pics my guess is that it isn't) BY ALL MEANS go with a NEW GM crate engine. Just avoid the cheesy fly-by-nighters that we always hear victims whining about and you'll be fine. And that is a VERY sanitary looking engine bay, by the way.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 624
Likes: 24
From: Shoreline WA
high performance stroker
I too vote for the crate. I've heard and read enough to know it's the best choice for me anyway. I want old-style big block power in a modern light-weight small block and am looking at GM's ZZ383 from Edelbrock with premium components.
However, I just can't see going for it while my base 350 is running great right now. Plus I'm sure it'll be huge dollars because suspension, exhaust and brakes will also be needed. Someday though...
However, I just can't see going for it while my base 350 is running great right now. Plus I'm sure it'll be huge dollars because suspension, exhaust and brakes will also be needed. Someday though...
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
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
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,938
Likes: 2
From: Arkansas
I'm in the same delimma myself, buy a rebuilt engine from Advanced or Autozone or get a crate engine from GM.
The rebuilt engines are running amost the same as a new GM crate. It seems like I seen a new in the box 350 crate engine with no core charge for around $1399 or so.....
can anyone confirm this or give me a link to a GOOD place to by from? I'm wanting a simple engine that's just going to be on the street...doesn't really matter if it's 2 or 4 bolt mains.....
The rebuilt engines are running amost the same as a new GM crate. It seems like I seen a new in the box 350 crate engine with no core charge for around $1399 or so.....
can anyone confirm this or give me a link to a GOOD place to by from? I'm wanting a simple engine that's just going to be on the street...doesn't really matter if it's 2 or 4 bolt mains.....
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
Create Motor
Had same problem, put in create motor 290HP blockfrom Gerber Chevolet in Grand Rapids Mich, cost $1325 with exchange, now still around $1500. Has 4 bolt main steel. Couldn't rebuild for that. Real solid motor, around 330HP wilth 650 carb.Nice driver
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 7,963
Likes: 3,321
From: Omaha NE
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
If the day comes when I have to do this I'm going rebuild.......
But only because I have a buddy who owns a machine shop & he's built a ton of motors over the last 25 years..............
But only because I have a buddy who owns a machine shop & he's built a ton of motors over the last 25 years..............
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,986
Likes: 21
From: Columbus MN
I highly recommend the GM 350 HO crate. As others have stated, it is the best crate for your $$. Mine has performed flawlessly for the past 5 years. If I REALLY want more performance, I would go with the GM 350 HO Super Deluxe confituration.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 464
Likes: 0
From: Concord CA
I went with the ZZ4 and it's fantastic....While I pulling the engine I decided to also pull the tranny....went with the Tremec 5speed....It was a breeze to put in and with the ZZ4 the car now hauls ***...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,100
Likes: 12
From: Frederick Maryland
Forget Auto Zone or Advanced Auto and their rebuilt engines...that's fine if you want to drop it in a Biscayne sedan or wagon, but I wouldn't consider it for a Vette. You have no idea what those rebuilts are from, what kind of use they had, etc. I doubt if their rebuilders gave the blocks and heads more than a cursory examination, cleaned them up and slapped some new parts in them. The custom rebuilders that sell really hot engines do a careful examination of all parts before starting.
Stick with a crate from GM Performance, Edelbrock, World or similar builders. You'll be much happier in the long run, even if you have to save your pennies up for a while longer to do so.
Stick with a crate from GM Performance, Edelbrock, World or similar builders. You'll be much happier in the long run, even if you have to save your pennies up for a while longer to do so.
Cruising
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Rockville MD
Can't argue with the Crate
I just bought an 81 and the previous owner had a new crate engine put in and let me tell ya it is just what the doctor ordered.
I am just a weekend cruiser and I love this thing. Strong and it sounds fantastic!
Here are the spec's: Bought from Pace Performance
http://paceperformance.com/index.asp...&ProdID=154046
10067353 Brand New Goodwrench 350 Engine 1971-1985 Car and light Truck Replacement Engine.
This engine remains our most popular largest selling crate engine of all times.
This is a great entry level replacement engine for older cars and trucks, and a great basic street rod engine. All of the parts in this engine are Brand New.
350 Cubic inches 4.00" Bore, 3.47" stroke
8.5:1 compression ratio.
250 HP @4300 rpm
350 ft. lbs of torque @ 3600 rpm
( These Numbers obtained with a Quadrajet Carb,1 5/8" headers , and an Edelbrock Performer intake part # 2101)
I am just a weekend cruiser and I love this thing. Strong and it sounds fantastic!
Here are the spec's: Bought from Pace Performance
http://paceperformance.com/index.asp...&ProdID=154046
10067353 Brand New Goodwrench 350 Engine 1971-1985 Car and light Truck Replacement Engine.
This engine remains our most popular largest selling crate engine of all times.
This is a great entry level replacement engine for older cars and trucks, and a great basic street rod engine. All of the parts in this engine are Brand New.
350 Cubic inches 4.00" Bore, 3.47" stroke
8.5:1 compression ratio.
250 HP @4300 rpm
350 ft. lbs of torque @ 3600 rpm
( These Numbers obtained with a Quadrajet Carb,1 5/8" headers , and an Edelbrock Performer intake part # 2101)
Last edited by Jagesvurgs; Jul 2, 2007 at 10:05 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,876
Likes: 3,556
From: Fernandina Beach FL
2023 Restomod of the Year finalist
2020 C3 of the Year Winner - Modified
My buddy use to own a Machine Shop (over 16 years)- He just sold it last month because he got tired of trying to compete w/ crate motors.
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
From: Superior Wisconsin