Best engine for a 79'
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: jacksonville florida
Best engine for a 79'
Im about to replace the stock 350 in my 79' corvette. I was wanting some opinions on what engine I should put in. What is the absolute best engine that I could put on her. Thankyou.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 324
Likes: 0
From: South Elgin IL
That's a pretty wide open question depending upon what you want to do with the car (street car or track car) and how much $$ you want to spend.
Personally, I went with the GM 350 HO (330 HP) crate engine. It was the best balance of performance and $$ for a street car I wanted at the time.
Personally, I went with the GM 350 HO (330 HP) crate engine. It was the best balance of performance and $$ for a street car I wanted at the time.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 945
Likes: 0
From: Ventura California
You'll need to give some more info as to what you want to accomplish with the new engine or you will get as many different answers on this one as there are people. I'd go 572 crate if I could afford to shell out the dough for one. Shoot, maybe built on a custom aluminum block too!
Pro
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 564
Likes: 0
From: London
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 945
Likes: 0
From: Ventura California
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Why not rebuild what you have and keep her stock? If you choose not to rebuilt it, my advice would be to hang on to the original 350 for future sale purposes. A potential buyer might want it.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,175
Likes: 86
From: State of Confusion
.....as-stated by other Forum-members, please supply what your intended-uses for this car would-be, so we can better help you spend your money!
Last edited by Glensgages; Aug 3, 2007 at 07:02 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,623
Likes: 29
From: The Netherlands
Whatever you do, don't throw in the cheap-*** Goodwrench the previous owner put in mine. He bought the cheapest version he could find: it's rock-solid and plenty reliable true enough, but you might want a little more then 150hp and 285Nm on the rear wheels...
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NCM Grand Opening Veteran
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 20,979
Likes: 384
From: South of giving a damn
St. Jude Donor '11, '17
A 632, bigger is best, otherwise a good 396 or 408 SBC is in order. Don't buy into the 'keep the old stock motor', it's a 79 for goodness sake. Not dissing 79s as I have one, but it's not a chrome bumper car.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,876
Likes: 1
From: Jersey Shore Exit 98
by the time you blueprint & bore out then rebuild yhe old L48 your not going to save any money or get the HP's your looking for. & its not going to be a numbers matching vette anymore. So that being said I would go 383 stroker, ZZ4 or LS motor. Much better upgrade more horse power.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,841
Likes: 3
From: Halifax, NS, Canada
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 769
Likes: 0
From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
I got a ZZ4 385hp fast burn w/ alum heads. The long block. Everything but the carb, plug wires, starter. I get 18 mpg. Excellent get up and go. Best buy for the money. Don't waste your money by having your stock engine rebuilt. Unless you can do it yourself. I don't trust speed shops.
No warranty.
It's always defective parts not the installation.
No warranty. It's always defective parts not the installation.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,841
Likes: 3
From: Halifax, NS, Canada
I got a ZZ4 385hp fast burn w/ alum heads. The long block. Everything but the carb, plug wires, starter. I get 18 mpg. Excellent get up and go. Best buy for the money. Don't waste your money by having your stock engine rebuilt. Unless you can do it yourself. I don't trust speed shops. No warranty. It's always defective parts not the installation.
No warranty. It's always defective parts not the installation.
