I want to put a new crate engine in my 77 for all the obvious reasons. I have read just about all I can handle but cannot make up my mind, so the question goes out to you for advice. Should I 350/290; 350/330HO; or should I ZZ4 350/355? All sound great, all sound like they can set me back in my seat, but what really sets them apart? Experts fire away please and thank you in advance.

 

I'm in the same boat as you. I think I've finally decided on the 350/290. My car is strictly for weekend cruisin, so I'll think this motor will be plenty. It'll be about 50 horses more than I have now, plus everything brand new. Burns regular gas and I can use my edelbrock intake on it because it doesn't have the vortec heads. Also, you can't beat the price. $1600-1900, depending on where you buy it. There's so many choices on these crates that it is hard to decide. If your car is just a cruiser, I think the 350/290 is perfect. However, if you want a little more umph, I've heard good things about the 350/330. All depends on what you want to do with the car. Good luck,
KC.

 

Get the biggest you can afford. I got the 290HP and wish I would've gone bigger

 

i got 350/290hp and i install 6 sp T56...could not ask for better set up..

globey

 

Take a look at the Year One 350. It's a rebuilt 350, roller cam with vortec heads. Fully assembled with heads, pans and intake and I believe a flex plate for $2995 and for about $200 they will deliver.
Do a search. quite a few members here have bought them and I have not heard of any problems or issues. Has a warrenty and 400+ hp and 400+ ft lbs of torque. Best of luck on your selelction.

 

I don't recall ever reading " Wish I had a little less power "

 

I'm one of those with good things to say about the 350/330 HO. I put an HO Deluxe in my '80 4-spd 6 years ago and love it. They are new engines, not rebuilts, so you pay a little more. With headers, true dual exhaust, the right timing, and adjusted carb, it will spin 255/60 tires from a rolling start with throttle alone. (Popping the clutch is not necessary.) And I still get 18 mpg mixed with a moderately heavy right foot.

 

+1

Bang for the buck, you can't beat it.... Thats what I would go with if I was doing a basic stock motor replacement....

We have a ZZ4 in my dad's 59' and honestly, its a turd...(dynoed 255rwhp)

 

Buy the most HP you can afford there is no worse feeling than finding yourself wanting more,or the old wish i would have purchased that one

 

ZZ4 350/355...... This is your best chice if you can afford it.

 

I put the ZZ4 in along with TKO500 5 speed. Man what a difference.Good luck

 

I would do the basic 290hp crate, but add Vortec heads and sell the others.

 

Dont spend a lot of dough then wished you had more power. Do it right the first time and save some money and time.

I just installed the year one 350, and i love it. great power. dyno sheets say 428hp and 452 tq. and all at a price that comes out cheaper than most crates around the 330-350hp range. it includes the balancer, flexplate, and intake.

Sean

 

this will more than likely be my next power plant. Good news is my current motor has only 13,000 miles on it.

 

Thanks to you all, I really appreciate the information. More research needed but you have given me some much needed data. The search is on and I will check out all the options you have suggested.
Thanks again and I will post my decision soon.
Cheers.

 

Theres also a fully assembled (new) vortec head long block from SD for ~2300, if I remember correctly...

 

Before you get a new engine seriously look at putting in a 700R. 30% steeper 1st gear, 30% OD. Ya can't beat that for the money.

 

Thanks to you all, very helpful. This leads to a couple of additional questions.

1) Is the 700R easy to come by, relatively easy to install, and is it available in 5 or 6 speed?
2) Can you tell me the manufacturers name as well and I will get on it to see how to acquire it and recommendations for Motor/Tranny combination.

I feel inept in this area but willing to ask questions and more than willing to listen. Thanks again.

 

You have very nice cars there. Your budget will determin your engine. As the say, "Speed cost money, How fast do you want to go?"
The GM crate engines are the best choise for those who can afford them and do not feel the need to experament on their own. Those engines mentioned, are all great choises but fail to mention the ultimate ones. If it's in your budget, The ZZ383 long block with Aluminum fast-burn heads is an all new, warrented engine, capable of 425 HP. I have seen these used in various applications and always with great satisfaction.
The 700R4 transmission mentioned above is a very popular automatic transmission which offers the main advantage of possiable higher gas milage. Unlike the automatic transmissions of the ers in which your car was built, the 700R4 introduced "overdrive". If you have an auto trans now (probably a TH350) the high gear has a ratial of 1 to 1. That is, for every revolution of the input shaft from the engine side, the output shaft also turns 1 revolution. In a 700R4, when in high (4th) gear, the output shaft actually turns more that one turn for every turn of the input shaft from the engine side. So, for a given engine RPM, the drive shaft is turning faster on a 700R4 equiped car and the further the car goes over a set period of time.

They are very common and produced by the millions from about 1982 until about 1992. A good source for obtaing one to handle the corvette would be "Monster Transmission" or "Eat my shift". Try www.MonsterTrans.com . They can also supply the drive shaft. I converted my 1980 L-82 to a 700R4 by simply buying the drive shaft and frame crossmember removed from a 1982 Corvette at a junk yard. The gear shift lever also has a slightly different pattern but most of this stuff is available at the aftermarket speciality houses. The 1982 vette was the first Corvette (and the only C3) to have the 700R4 from the factory.

Hope this helps!

 

It does help, thank you.
One thing for certain is choices are nearly limitless.
My dilemma goes deeper than which engine to put in the car though, my dilemma is which car to play with and which car to sell. I will post another thread on that and ask an opinion of the forum members but supporting two 1977 Corvette's is not in the budget.
Thanks again.
David and Adam Howard