Need to choose an engine
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Need to choose an engine
I am original owner of '77 that has been sitting for about 10 years. Has always been garage kept so body and frame are in good condition. Rather than rebuilding stock drivetrain, I am leaning toward replacing with crate engine. I would appreciate feedback from anyone as to what's a good engine choice. I would like to have a much faster car, but it would be mainly for the street and run on pump gas. The car has collectors plates, so emissions is not an issue. I plan to do this as a hobby project. I've already removed stock engine and transmission and technically comfortable installing a crate engine but I would like to hear some opinions on various setups. What's the latest and greatest. How much horsepower can I go with before needing to upgrade trans, rear and suspension and what upgrades do you recommend? I guess I'm asking for opinions on the best drivetrain configuration for this car and still run on pump gas. Any opinions on zz383?? Thanks
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
From: PA
Check out the 350ci/400hp from YearOne.
more hp the the zz motors... less cash.,.. do a search on here and other formus, everone is happy with them.
http://www.yearone.com/serverfiles/f...crate&SM=2&SC=
rich
more hp the the zz motors... less cash.,.. do a search on here and other formus, everone is happy with them.
http://www.yearone.com/serverfiles/f...crate&SM=2&SC=
rich
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,739
Likes: 630
From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
I'm not a fan of "rebuilt" crate motors ... prefer local built ... I'm definately against mail ordering a "rebuilt" crate from someone you don't know ... but if you're gonna get a crate ... look close at warranty. Consider (other than genuine GM) most warranties require you to jump through lotsa hoops / meet stiff requirements and usually your only warranty connection ain't local. With that in mind ... I'd suggest a GM crate motor ... you can get crate from any local GM dealer and any GM dealer can accept any warranty claim. BTW ... virtually all GM sbc & BBC crates are all brand new and not rebuilt. Also ... consider that if you buy local and you end up dissatisfied w/ motor or warranty issues ... then you sue in your local jurisdiction ... that canNOT happen if you purchase motor from out of state ... you'd have to sue in their jurisdiction.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
From: PA
YearOne has same warranty as GM... and you don't "know" them?
very reputable company.. gr8 reputation. and by far best bang for the buck?
He must not know a gr8 local guy or he wouldnt be asking?
steallerships can make you jump thru hoops too... and are less likely to care since they are so large... Yearone is bigger then your local mom and pop shop but big enough to support a good warranty.
If you know some one local who does gr8 work and backs its up...and been in business a long time then i too would use them. Lacking that i would do some research and make educated choice...
r
very reputable company.. gr8 reputation. and by far best bang for the buck?
He must not know a gr8 local guy or he wouldnt be asking?
steallerships can make you jump thru hoops too... and are less likely to care since they are so large... Yearone is bigger then your local mom and pop shop but big enough to support a good warranty.
If you know some one local who does gr8 work and backs its up...and been in business a long time then i too would use them. Lacking that i would do some research and make educated choice...
r
I'm not a fan of "rebuilt" crate motors ... prefer local built ... I'm definately against mail ordering a "rebuilt" crate from someone you don't know ... but if you're gonna get a crate ... look close at warranty. Consider (other than genuine GM) most warranties require you to jump through lotsa hoops / meet stiff requirements and usually your only warranty connection ain't local. With that in mind ... I'd suggest a GM crate motor ... you can get crate from any local GM dealer and any GM dealer can accept any warranty claim. BTW ... virtually all GM sbc & BBC crates are all brand new and not rebuilt. Also ... consider that if you buy local and you end up dissatisfied w/ motor or warranty issues ... then you sue in your local jurisdiction ... that canNOT happen if you purchase motor from out of state ... you'd have to sue in their jurisdiction.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
YearOne has same warranty as GM... and you don't "know" them?
very reputable company.. gr8 reputation. and by far best bang for the buck?
He must not know a gr8 local guy or he wouldnt be asking?
steallerships can make you jump thru hoops too... and are less likely to care since they are so large... Yearone is bigger then your local mom and pop shop but big enough to support a good warranty.
If you know some one local who does gr8 work and backs its up...and been in business a long time then i too would use them. Lacking that i would do some research and make educated choice...
r
very reputable company.. gr8 reputation. and by far best bang for the buck?
He must not know a gr8 local guy or he wouldnt be asking?
steallerships can make you jump thru hoops too... and are less likely to care since they are so large... Yearone is bigger then your local mom and pop shop but big enough to support a good warranty.
If you know some one local who does gr8 work and backs its up...and been in business a long time then i too would use them. Lacking that i would do some research and make educated choice...
r
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 110
Likes: 0
i just buoght a 460hp 383 from them i 'm happy so far thay emailed me pictures as the build went along @ the price was fair my motor isin transit now so i'll have it next week hope this helps
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 10,674
Likes: 122
From: Millington Illinois
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
I'm not a fan of "rebuilt" crate motors ... prefer local built ... I'm definately against mail ordering a "rebuilt" crate from someone you don't know ... but if you're gonna get a crate ... look close at warranty. Consider (other than genuine GM) most warranties require you to jump through lotsa hoops / meet stiff requirements and usually your only warranty connection ain't local. With that in mind ... I'd suggest a GM crate motor ... you can get crate from any local GM dealer and any GM dealer can accept any warranty claim. BTW ... virtually all GM sbc & BBC crates are all brand new and not rebuilt. Also ... consider that if you buy local and you end up dissatisfied w/ motor or warranty issues ... then you sue in your local jurisdiction ... that canNOT happen if you purchase motor from out of state ... you'd have to sue in their jurisdiction.
Good advice. Local builder with a good reputation is best. GM crate is a good choice if choice #1 is not available.
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