engine change
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 126
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From: Torquay Devon
engine change
Toying with the idea of replacing the engine on my '76. it has only done 65k miles (I have had her for 29 years) so know it's genuine miles. Is this a big job or with my minimul knowledge could I D.I.Y.
There is nothing wrong with the original engine but as we know, very low bhp. Looking for around 400bhp. I would assume that to get the original engine breathed on to get to the 400 would cost as much as a crate engine, am I right?
What else would be involved to uprate the engine, transmission etc? Everything is stock with the car.
Appreciated in advance.
There is nothing wrong with the original engine but as we know, very low bhp. Looking for around 400bhp. I would assume that to get the original engine breathed on to get to the 400 would cost as much as a crate engine, am I right?
What else would be involved to uprate the engine, transmission etc? Everything is stock with the car.
Appreciated in advance.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,531
Likes: 13
From: Dallas-Fort Worth TX
Well if your not worried about matching numbers and all that hoopla, you could probably get a nice rebuild to the existing engine. Head work, cam, new intake, carb, crank, etc. Probably get ya to that 400 hp mark. Might be much cheaper than purchasing a new engine.
Wouldnt hurt to overhaul the drive train.
Wouldnt hurt to overhaul the drive train.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 126
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From: Torquay Devon
Is it a big job to get the original engine out, (limited knowledge) as it will have to come out either way, refurbishing or new, may decide to refurbish. No mechanics for american motors where I live in the U.K.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 840
Likes: 4
From: Syracuse IN
I would not waste my time with the original motor, keep it stock and store properly. Buy a new crate engine with modern componets, and castings. If you would like reasonable running with out problems shoot for an engine with the 350 to 385 hp. It sounds like you didn't run your original engine hard, do you plan on the same for this one? Allan
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 126
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From: Torquay Devon
I have never ran the engine hard in all the years I've had her so thinking about it 400hp is a wee bit too much. 350hp seems more like it. What torque figures does the 350 crate engine give.
I will need to know which crate is considered the best replacement and to get the engine shipped to here in the u.k. Approx. all inclusive cost would be very helpful.
The car has matching numbers, will the new engine de-value the car very much?
Cheers.
I will need to know which crate is considered the best replacement and to get the engine shipped to here in the u.k. Approx. all inclusive cost would be very helpful.
The car has matching numbers, will the new engine de-value the car very much?
Cheers.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,871
Likes: 6
From: Sault Ste. Marie Ontario
I have never ran the engine hard in all the years I've had her so thinking about it 400hp is a wee bit too much. 350hp seems more like it. What torque figures does the 350 crate engine give.
I will need to know which crate is considered the best replacement and to get the engine shipped to here in the u.k. Approx. all inclusive cost would be very helpful.
The car has matching numbers, will the new engine de-value the car very much?
Cheers.
I will need to know which crate is considered the best replacement and to get the engine shipped to here in the u.k. Approx. all inclusive cost would be very helpful.
The car has matching numbers, will the new engine de-value the car very much?
Cheers.
If you want the car to feel like it has more power, change the rear end ratio.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 753
Likes: 0
yes , change rear end ratio : 3.70 or 4.11 . I have 4.11
and headers +free flowing mufflers (I use magnaflow) if not already done
remove some "smog stuff" from the engine and see if the engine likes more advance
I think an original 76 from it's original owner will become pretty valuable.above here in Europe where many junk corvettes have been imported recently.
and headers +free flowing mufflers (I use magnaflow) if not already done
remove some "smog stuff" from the engine and see if the engine likes more advance
I think an original 76 from it's original owner will become pretty valuable.above here in Europe where many junk corvettes have been imported recently.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 774
Likes: 1
From: Round Rock Texas
I built a 383 Stroker for my 76 and it moves pretty good. Cost under $3K to get it built. I just removed the original motor and stored it. If and when these cars are ever up in price maybe I will reinstall it. In the meantime if you want to have a blast with it build or buy a new stronger motor. You won't regret it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 7,098
Likes: 378
From: Las Vegas - Just stop perpetuating myths please.
yes , change rear end ratio : 3.70 or 4.11 . I have 4.11
and headers +free flowing mufflers (I use magnaflow) if not already done
remove some "smog stuff" from the engine and see if the engine likes more advance
I think an original 76 from it's original owner will become pretty valuable.above here in Europe where many junk corvettes have been imported recently.
and headers +free flowing mufflers (I use magnaflow) if not already done
remove some "smog stuff" from the engine and see if the engine likes more advance
I think an original 76 from it's original owner will become pretty valuable.above here in Europe where many junk corvettes have been imported recently.
Do the bolt on mods first. Learn to tune dist and carb before replacing any major engine parts. By tuning I mean build and set your own dist curve by change springs and weights and slots. Tune the carb with new secondary metering rods and primary jetting. You will find big improvements just by correct tuning.
Then move to bolt-ons like headers and performance intakes (Edelbrock or Wieand) for another 10% hp increase just letting the engine breath.
You will find u need to retune carb and timing as you bolt better parts on.A steeper rear gear set is always a good choice.
Then you will be ready to try heads or performance head work. Then next would be bigger cam.
Last place to makes changes for a beginner is the bottom end. Too much can go wrong here and too much work to fix things here.
Unless u care to learn performance the hard way and the expensive way.
Hope this helps ya,
cardo0
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,557
Likes: 9
From: Oquirrh Mountains
St. Jude Donor '09
Are there any GM dealers in your area? I would consider getting this - ZZ383/425 hp:
http://www.sdparts.com/product/12498...inumHeads.aspx
http://www.sdparts.com/product/12498...inumHeads.aspx
Instructor
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 243
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From: salisbury missouri
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,970
Likes: 45
From: Cameron Park CA
Here's a thought for you. There is a gent in the UK named Tom Falconer who writes a monthly column for the USA magazine Corvette Fever http://www.corvettefever.com/index.html
He is a Corvette enthusiast and writes about Corvettes in the UK and also his travels to Europe. If you can locate him, I'm sure he would be able to assist you in getting parts or even complete engines. As I see it, shipping a complete engine to the UK would be pretty expensive considering the weight, which is how I think the shippers charge.
If you have room to store your original engine safely for years or decades, then a crate engine is probably your best option if the cost isn't prohibitive. But if you can't store your original, then modifying it without destroying it's value is probably the best way to go.
Let us know what you decide to do
He is a Corvette enthusiast and writes about Corvettes in the UK and also his travels to Europe. If you can locate him, I'm sure he would be able to assist you in getting parts or even complete engines. As I see it, shipping a complete engine to the UK would be pretty expensive considering the weight, which is how I think the shippers charge.
If you have room to store your original engine safely for years or decades, then a crate engine is probably your best option if the cost isn't prohibitive. But if you can't store your original, then modifying it without destroying it's value is probably the best way to go.
Let us know what you decide to do
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 126
Likes: 0
From: Torquay Devon
There are a couple of vette traders in the u.k. Tom Falconer being one of them. Such a long way from where I live but o.k. for some parts. There are no mechanics who I can get to sort her out either. I have a very big double garage and I was hoping I could get a knowlegeable local vette mechanic to sort her out here. Will keep on trying.
I'm going to have a good think this weekend over which way I'm going to go with it. The engine has the original Rochester carb on it. I think the bhp at the moment is around 210 and if I could get her to 325- 325bhp I would be happy, not for racing round in (too old now at 70) for overtaking mainly, with us driving on the left it is sometimes a bit hairy!!
Many thanks for your input gents, cracking club.
I'm going to have a good think this weekend over which way I'm going to go with it. The engine has the original Rochester carb on it. I think the bhp at the moment is around 210 and if I could get her to 325- 325bhp I would be happy, not for racing round in (too old now at 70) for overtaking mainly, with us driving on the left it is sometimes a bit hairy!!
Many thanks for your input gents, cracking club.
