howardchaz

Hey everyone...thinking about starting with a fresh motor on my 77'...looking at crate 350's off of the Jegs website- looking at dressed motor around $2,500. What should I expect to pay a shop to pull my old motor and install the new one? Also is there a better place to buy a crate engine. Thanks

Peterbuilt

10 hours to remove and replace @ $ 75.00= $750.00 minimum. Extras boil radiator, install headers, new clutch flywheel pressure plate and bearing or rebuild automatic, new hoses and belts, new driveshaft 'U' joints. Clean engine compartment, rebuilt or new carb, new wires and plugs, anti freeze and oil. Fabricate exhaust pipes to fit headers and a few odds and ends = at least another $ 2,500.00. PG.

mikem350

Excellent list Pete!!! I just saved an '80 L82 that ate a valve and you are spot on, except the trans was left alone.

You could find a local source for a long or short block and buy the rest from Summit/Jegs. Would save some shipping $$.

Or bring the car to my shop, then I could build you whatever you want

Richard Cooper

I just ordered a new crate motor fron Pace Performance, it's a 350/300HP long block w/intake. It was $2,100 including delivery to my house with a lift gate truck.

baxsom

well i just had a 430hp/500ft/lb 454 installed to include radiator boil, transmission reseal, control arm rebushing, and alignment for 5K.

marz

I bought my 400hp 350 from Carolina Machine Engines for under $2,900. I had it installed for $1000. That was after I bought new converter, headers. It was worth the extra money for the install. Motor runs great and they know how to build a motor. Good guys too.

Rebelrob

Good info. So basically if ya got the time , patience, and know how, do the install yourself..
and save a bundle.
I pulled a engine myself in one day, but I doubt I can install one and get it running in the same amount of time.

FlyViper

If you have a shop to work at (friend?), do it yourself. I've learned a lot by doing my engine swap myself (with help from some friends of course). It takes a little while longer, but you learn a lot and there's definitely an amount of satisfaction that you did the job yourself.

Rebelrob

Well said. I agree 100%. You learn a whole lot about your car really quick. Helps to diagnose problems down road as well.

69Vett

do it yourself, the learning expereince is well worth it.
You will spend the time to do the details and build things the right way.
generally someone paid by the hour will Not.
you can get advice every step of the way from right here !

79VetteNoob

I just had a blueprint 383 430hp (fully dressed, but with a new carb - had to be tuned), transmission, electric fans, full exhaust and a major front end rebuild kit (from ecklers) all installed. Drove it home for $4100 and some change. A buddy of mine and I took everything out ourselves, saved a little there. I was quoted ~ 1800-2400 if I were just going to have the engine and tranny installed.

gdh

The last 2 times om my vette I installed myself with a freind. Last summer Mooser helped, thank god as I was ill will pneumonia and struggled just to tighten bolts. I enjoyed the process, helped quite a few friends a number of years ago. I am always glad to be able to have the time to clean, paint and check things out myself once the engine is out. The last time we didn't pull the trans out with it. Never again as trying to get some of those bellhousing bolts in after the engine is installed is a real pia. The new engine (GM 383) fought us ever inch of the way going in.
That being said I also see the allure of having someone else who knows what they are doing do it for you.

80-Vette

Just noticed the original post was made over 5 years ago. Wonder which route he went?

gdh

he probably sold it.

UCVette

I am close to pulling the trigger on a 350/330HP from GMPerformance for close to $5000. Reason being is that they offer a warranty. Jegs/Summit are both within $100.

My question, the prices in this thread seem a lot less than the $5000 i am about to spend.

Also, it is going to cost me around $2000 to have it installed, so i was happy to see that was inline with other.

Any comments would be greatly appreciated!

68/70Vette

I have removed and installed two engine sequences. This is by myself with no helpers. I have also removed one more engine (third removal) ..but not yet re-installed it.

You need to know that the C3 engine/bellhousing/tranny stack are held into the car with four bolts. Two forward frame mount bolts and two tranny attach bolts. There's a lot of other stuff to disconnect, but it's easy, but tedious. You have to remove the hood. For some years there's an issue with the radiator shroud/radiator frame. Of course with an older car, you need to hope the exhaust manifold bolts don't snap. Absolutely no issue if you're replacing the engine.

gjjcvette

Hi, I want to swap a 350 HP in place of my 180HP 1978 C3 engine. Where are you located and how can I contact you to explore your installation choices?

gjjcvette

Hi, anyone knows a good shop in the Orlando, FL or up to 300 miles around that can do the swap?

BLUE1972

go with a 383 you will love the extra torque ,

I did my swap myself - took a weekend. Not rushing with a friend..

cv67

Youll have to call some shops and find out they are all different