Help with crate engine choice

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Feb 8, 2009 | 01:14 AM

O.J.

Thread Starter

Intermediate

Joined: Jun 2005

Posts: 45

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From: Phoenix AZ

Help with crate engine choice

I am looking to replace my leaky, tired 81 engine. Car is a weekend cruiser, no plans on tracking it or draging. I just want a nice reliable ride with some get up and go. I plan on having the stock auto tranny gone through when I do the swap. I would also like to use as much of the stock equiptment (water pump,intake,computer, carb, etc) to keep costs down.

I am open for other suggestions, but these are the crates I have found. Should I steer clear of any? Any and all info is appreciated.

Pretty basic choice

http://paceperformance.com/index.asp...&ProdID=224002

Probably the most reasonable choice

http://paceperformance.com/index.asp...D&ProdID=84482

Pretty and a little more but worth the extra $$$?
http://paceperformance.com/index.asp...D&ProdID=22746

A great deal and may be too much, but may lead to swapping out too many parts:

http://www.jegs.com/p/Blueprint+Engines/761056/10002/-1

Thanks again for everyones help

Last edited by O.J.; Feb 8, 2009 at 12:55 PM.

Feb 8, 2009 | 08:26 AM

Duke94

Le Mans Master

Joined: Mar 2001

Posts: 6,640

Likes: 287

From: Ann Arbor Michigan

For the money, you can't go wrong with either of the GM "Universal" create engines. They are all new 4 bolt main blocks (basically the L-82). Lots of Forum members have them including me.

Feb 8, 2009 | 08:56 AM

76 sting

Pro

Joined: Jun 2004

Posts: 700

Likes: 0

From: Lantana TX

Quote:

Originally Posted by O.J.

http://paceperformance.com/index.asp...&ProdID=224002

Probably the most reasonable choice

http://www.jegs.com/p/Blueprint+Engines/761056/10002/-1

Thanks again for everyones help

First....put in some personal info so we know you a little better and we know where you live. Some folks may have ties to areas around you that may help even more. You have been a member since 05 and nothing is filled out.

The best bang for the buck hands down is the Year One engine. Do a search and you will find folks all over this forum with them.

http://www.yearone.com/serverfiles/f...ain2.asp?cat=Q

I had the 350 with 440 HP and 432 TQ for 3K...you will not fins a better deal.

Also the 383 will fit in your car perfectly and you should not need to swap anyting out...350 or 383 are built off the same block so everything will bolt right up.

Feb 8, 2009 | 09:18 AM

howarsc

Racer

Joined: Aug 2005

Posts: 347

Likes: 0

From: Pace FL

383 will be mild to drive. It should not break anything the factory put in your driveline.

Feb 8, 2009 | 11:08 AM

jdmick

Safety Car

Joined: Oct 2004

Posts: 3,725

Likes: 5

From: Minnesota

I've been pleased with the 350 H.O. It looks like they've gotten quite a bit more expensive since I bought one 4 years ago though.

Feb 8, 2009 | 11:40 AM

InternalBleeding

Advanced

Joined: Jan 2009

Posts: 61

Likes: 0

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdmick

I've been pleased with the 350 H.O. It looks like they've gotten quite a bit more expensive since I bought one 4 years ago though.

It's a great engine.

Feb 8, 2009 | 12:16 PM

willem wallace

Burning Brakes

Joined: Sep 2005

Posts: 895

Likes: 4

From: whitman massachusetts

Engine Choice

Do it right the first time, GMPP ZZ383, GM #12498772.

Feb 8, 2009 | 12:47 PM

'75

Le Mans Master

Joined: Dec 2007

Posts: 6,422

Likes: 591

From: McHenry Illinois

If money were not an issue my first choice would be the ZZ502, 2nd choice ZZ383, 3rd choice 383 with vortec heads, 4th any 383.

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Feb 8, 2009 | 12:57 PM

RIJVETTES

Burning Brakes

Joined: Aug 2006

Posts: 1,155

Likes: 0

From: San Diego California

Quote:

Originally Posted by willem wallace

Do it right the first time, GMPP ZZ383, GM #12498772.

Feb 8, 2009 | 01:18 PM

#10

O.J.

Thread Starter

Intermediate

Joined: Jun 2005

Posts: 45

Likes: 0

From: Phoenix AZ

Thank you guys for the input.

Can someone clarify...I thought I read in a recent post that the 383 I listed above needed to have the oilpan swapped.

Also can any of you with engine knowledge give me some feed back as to the pasts used in that 383.

I know I would proabaly be limiting the engines full potential by using the stock intake, carb etc, 81' computer but cost is an issue so I would plan on changing that later if needed....atleast I would have a good solid engine to build on.

Thanks again for all you time guys.

PS I live in Arizona so any local store suggestions or forum vendors suggested would help

Feb 8, 2009 | 01:35 PM

#11

jsholm2

Instructor

Joined: Feb 2008

Posts: 128

Likes: 0

Quote:

Originally Posted by willem wallace

Do it right the first time, GMPP ZZ383, GM #12498772.

Do they make a turn key in that model?? How much of a difference in time does the turn key option make?

Feb 8, 2009 | 03:11 PM

#12

fe1ixdakatt

Instructor

Joined: Aug 2008

Posts: 159

Likes: 0

From: Northern California

I bought the 350 HO for my 68 and couldn't be happier. It has plenty of get-up-and-go. With a set of headers it sounds like a mean machine, and it didn't break the bank. If it's a weekend driver like mine and you're running your stock engine now, you're going to be very happy with the performance upgrade and the price tag.

Last edited by fe1ixdakatt; Feb 8, 2009 at 03:26 PM.

Feb 10, 2009 | 03:18 PM

#13

NHRalph

Racer

Joined: Mar 2007

Posts: 306

Likes: 0

From: New Hampshire

Go with the GMPP 290 hp motor, if your going to use the original intake system, otherwise, the 350 HO engine is nice but has vortex heads. Everything you have should bolt right up to the 260 or 290 engines.

Feb 10, 2009 | 03:57 PM

#14

mooneyd

Drifting

Joined: May 2004

Posts: 1,442

Likes: 2

From: Flanders NJ

I have the GMPP ZZ4 crate motor (turn key), very happy with it.
Dave

Feb 10, 2009 | 04:52 PM

#15

smon

Racer

Joined: Nov 2006

Posts: 495

Likes: 1

From: Lubbock TX

If your getting a new engine do it right, you don't want to get a new one in there and wish you had spent the money to get something a little better. Like posted above one of the best deals out there is the yearone 350. Sounds like enough power to meet your needs and comes with most everything minus dizzy, waterpump, fuel pump, but those you can reuse.

Good luck,
Sean

Feb 12, 2009 | 10:07 AM

#16

lfgmike

Intermediate

Joined: Feb 2009

Posts: 37

Likes: 0

From: westmont illinois

new engine?

Quote:

Originally Posted by O.J.

http://paceperformance.com/index.asp...&ProdID=224002

Probably the most reasonable choice

http://www.jegs.com/p/Blueprint+Engines/761056/10002/-1

Thanks again for everyones help

I have a 69 w/orig. 427 and I am putting the orig away w/mothballs. I went to GM performance parts and bought ZZ454 for $6100, which is kinda like paying invoice on a new car. They have a number of choices, and come with manufacturer warranty. I was looking for more power and reliability- I'm not a "track-guy" looking for a 12 sec. car, but a cruiser with much more "umph". The HP ratings on their website are underated according to Super-Chevy magazine(March '09). Good luck.