Let me start with and apology for continuing to ask questions concerning the engine I am planning to purchase for my 75 coupe, auto and I want to make the best choice for my situation. I am down to the 4 choices that are listed below. In general the car will be street, Sunday driver – no strip. I am looking for a lopey idle and enough power to chirp (prefer bark) the tires at each shift point. I would like to maintain my stock hood and other items in engine bay. Here are the engines I am looking at.

http://www.dpmpower.us/smallblock.php

350ci, 400 HP, 425 torque $3000

350ci, 400 hp, 430 torque $3995 (aluminum heads)

http://www.yearone.com/serverfiles/h...hid=026DK73488

CT350PC1 400hp, 400+ torque $2990

CT350PC3 350hp, 423 torque #3790

Now the questions
1) Recommended carb for these? I am partial to Holley (I know differing opinions in this area) but dead set on.
2) Recommended distributor/ignition system?
3) One engine has aluminum heads are they worth the money for my use?
4) I know there is a reason the CT350PC3 cost more but has less HP but can not figure out why.
5) I know others have ordered from both these companies. I would like to have chrome valve covers/ oil pan, etc. are the companies receptive to swapping out parts?
6) With the intakes shown will my stock hood still fit?
7) Anything special about oil pan for vette?
8) Will a stall converter be required for these engines?
9) Is there some easy, low cost mods to get a few more hp or torque out of these engines?

Thanks to everyone for bearing with me through this engine decision.
scott

 

why not get the 383 for $3995 from dpmpower? If you are willing to pay 3995 for the 350? the cubes help out alot when running an auto....

 

Did not see that one on the website. So now my choices are narrowed to five options.
scott

 

I hope I have not worn out my welcome? This forum is such a wealth of information, I would hate to think about trying all the work I have in mind without input from the knowledgable folks here. Does anyone have input they are willing to share on my engine decision choices?
scott

 

Not to confuse the issue, but take a look at GM's crate engines too. For not a big difference in $$ you get a warranty- backed by GM..
I'm not selling anything, just looking at options. I'm sure you've already thought this out, but in case you haven't:

http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/results...row=1&pkgid=20

 

not to confuse you even farther but, Why not find a local shop with good references to build you a stought 383 with around 10.5 cr with a good set of dart iron heads with 2.05 valves with something like a 280 magnum comp cam this will be very healthy and still very streetable should be in the 400 plus hp range for that same 3900 range plus if you have any issues the shop is right there!!??
with any of the engine you list i would think you would need a stahl convertor i run a similar 383 with a 3000-3500 stahl in a built 350 turbo with a 750 holley DP with mech. secondaries and it runs great and run it on premium pump gas!!
to be honest and alot of guys will probably give me crap but aluminum heads are for racing and weight purposes iron heads are much more durable and will take alot more street abuse than aluminum with very close to the same hp rating for alot less cash!!

to answer your ques.
1 holley 750 with anything makin over 400 hp
2 any hei unit with a performance coil like accel or msd or pertronix
3 waste of money in my opinion
4 ?
5 dont buy cheap chrome crap if you want bling drop the cash for good chromed or polished aluminum stuff wont rust and seals way better!
but oil pans can be tricky as far as clearance with aluminum so ask first!!
6 couldnt tell you i run an L88 hood. but there are some intakes that state they are identical height to factory equipment so read and ask ques.
7 yes they are a little different for clearance issues
8 yes i would say so
9 headers with ceramic coatings, a spring and weight kit in an hei dist.,good water pump for better cooling,Do not use synthetic oil to break the engine in then use a good quality oil and use it consistantly,good 8 mm spark plug wires not the cheap stock crap, good spark plugs,any type of quality air filter (dont run without one!), use a tac and watch your rpms!,use quality intake and header gaskets not the cheapo paper crap, drive it after about 200 miles after breakin like you will normaly drive it (run it like you stole it)!! dont baby it for 2000 miles then start to beat on it!

 

Thanks blunblk68. Interesting comment on the local builder. I went down this road a little bit but the majority of replies to that post were go with the two companies listed below.

Thanks TimAT - I had looked a little in this area but decided to head down the road of the two companies mentioned below.

scott

 

I just bought the 383 from Derebery for $3995. Have not installed it yet. Been busy trying to get my house ready to sell. Will be another couple of weeks. So far my experience with Derebery has been very positive. They seem to be very honest. Daniel Derebery even offered to drive an hour to my house to help me set the timing since I'm putting a different distributor on than the one it was dyno'd with. I was there when they dyno'd. Came out with 455 hp and 461 torque per the printout. I used a Holley 750 dp with mechanical secondaries. The builder was very impressed with this carb. I wish I could tell you how it runs in the car but that'll be a couple more weeks. Good luck.

 

As soon as you decided to include the 383 in your choices, the choice is obvious to me.
Go with more cubes. 383 all the way.

Holley 750 - Vac secondaries with stock converter / double pumper if you go at least 2800 stall or so.
HEI distributor

 

ive been down the crate engine route, bought one last winter. now this winter its at the machine shop/speed shop getting DONE. there is a huge difference between a crate engine and a prepared engine. i would suggest having one built. 4k will get a nice stroker built

 

Check out bluprint engines from www.summitracing.com,
They have a 383(short block) for about 1800, and to have to the house its about 100$. Heads http://www.aeroheadracing.com/
everything is up to you. Crates are good, but if your installing this why not spend the cash somewhere else like Trips to Hawaii?? J/k