Crate engine opinions/inputs needed
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 64
Likes: 6
Crate engine opinions/inputs needed
Whats up everyone,
I am thinking about upgrading my current engine with a crate engine. Iv done some searching on the board and came up with a couple of options but had a few questions and needed some real life experiences with these engines.
I am looking for a engine that will cause me the least headache because my engine right now is causing me alot of headaches and money. My first two choices would be either the gm zz4 or zz383 but those are pushing my budget, so i was looking for something cheaper. I saw some good posts in regards to YEAR ONE and their 400+/400+ 350 engine but read somewhere that that particular engine is a rebuilt engine, is that true?
-Opinions on YEAR ONE, ZZ4, ZZ383?
-Any other notable options that i didnt catch?
-Suspension! Is the car deisgned to handle the extra power? Anyone done any suspension upgrades?
Thanks in Advance,
Andy
I am thinking about upgrading my current engine with a crate engine. Iv done some searching on the board and came up with a couple of options but had a few questions and needed some real life experiences with these engines.
I am looking for a engine that will cause me the least headache because my engine right now is causing me alot of headaches and money. My first two choices would be either the gm zz4 or zz383 but those are pushing my budget, so i was looking for something cheaper. I saw some good posts in regards to YEAR ONE and their 400+/400+ 350 engine but read somewhere that that particular engine is a rebuilt engine, is that true?
-Opinions on YEAR ONE, ZZ4, ZZ383?
-Any other notable options that i didnt catch?
-Suspension! Is the car deisgned to handle the extra power? Anyone done any suspension upgrades?
Thanks in Advance,
Andy
Last edited by mvisible; Jun 8, 2010 at 03:33 PM.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 315
Likes: 0
From: KY
I installed a ZZ4 it was just a drop in deal no mods needed there is a good chance that the stock hood want work.
Remember to read the GM warranty very closely you only get parts if you install the engine yourself.
Remember to read the GM warranty very closely you only get parts if you install the engine yourself.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,993
Likes: 9
From: Gig Harbor WA
Talk to your local dealer.
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: Salem CT
Whats up everyone,
I am thinking about upgrading my current engine with a crate engine. Iv done some searching on the board and came up with a couple of options but had a few questions and needed some real life experiences with these engines.
I am looking for a engine that will cause me the least headache because my engine right now is causing me alot of headaches and money. My first two choices would be either the gm zz4 or zz383 but those are pushing my budget, so i was looking for something cheaper. I saw some good posts in regards to YEAR ONE and their 400+/400+ 350 engine but read somewhere that that particular engine is a rebuilt engine, is that true?
-Opinions on YEAR ONE, ZZ4, ZZ383?
-Any other notable options that i didnt catch?
-Suspension! Is the car deisgned to handle the extra power? Anyone done any suspension upgrades?
Thanks in Advance,
Andy
I am thinking about upgrading my current engine with a crate engine. Iv done some searching on the board and came up with a couple of options but had a few questions and needed some real life experiences with these engines.
I am looking for a engine that will cause me the least headache because my engine right now is causing me alot of headaches and money. My first two choices would be either the gm zz4 or zz383 but those are pushing my budget, so i was looking for something cheaper. I saw some good posts in regards to YEAR ONE and their 400+/400+ 350 engine but read somewhere that that particular engine is a rebuilt engine, is that true?
-Opinions on YEAR ONE, ZZ4, ZZ383?
-Any other notable options that i didnt catch?
-Suspension! Is the car deisgned to handle the extra power? Anyone done any suspension upgrades?
Thanks in Advance,
Andy
Last edited by mox_ct; Jun 9, 2010 at 03:23 PM.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 315
Likes: 0
From: KY
The closest dealer that GM could find to work on my engine was an hour and a half away and since I installed the engine myself I would only get parts.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,666
Likes: 1
From: Where it's always hot as Hell-South Louisiana.
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
did the crate thing-was told the same. 5 years/50k miles warrany regardless of who(m) installs it. Read the papers that come with the crate-it states it there too.
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Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,879
Likes: 38
From: Los Gatos CA
Years ago I recommended the $1200 350 Targetmaster engine to a carpenter friend for his 1 ton work truck (with full boxes). He bought it outright; his shade tree mechanic friend installed it. A month later the cam broke and busted up everything. The pan looked grenaded. The local Chevy dealer towed the truck (5 miles at least), replaced the engine in 3 days. The price tag was a big fat $0.00. Did I mention the engine was purchased at a different dealer?
Wait - there's more...
A few months later, the QJet's float stuck open and flooded the cylinders. Yep, the engine couldn't compress the liquid and busted a rod.
The same dealer (Los Gatos CA) towed her again, fixed it (I don't remember if the engine was replaced). The charge? $180 to rebuild the QJet.
I love telling this story; it makes me wanna go buy a Chevy today.
Damn truck ran for years and did a bazillion jobs. She was a money maker.
Wait - there's more...
A few months later, the QJet's float stuck open and flooded the cylinders. Yep, the engine couldn't compress the liquid and busted a rod.
The same dealer (Los Gatos CA) towed her again, fixed it (I don't remember if the engine was replaced). The charge? $180 to rebuild the QJet.
I love telling this story; it makes me wanna go buy a Chevy today.
Damn truck ran for years and did a bazillion jobs. She was a money maker.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,676
Likes: 201
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
Years ago I recommended the $1200 350 Targetmaster engine to a carpenter friend for his 1 ton work truck (with full boxes). He bought it outright; his shade tree mechanic friend installed it. A month later the cam broke and busted up everything. The pan looked grenaded. The local Chevy dealer towed the truck (5 miles at least), replaced the engine in 3 days. The price tag was a big fat $0.00. Did I mention the engine was purchased at a different dealer?
Wait - there's more...
A few months later, the QJet's float stuck open and flooded the cylinders. Yep, the engine couldn't compress the liquid and busted a rod.
The same dealer (Los Gatos CA) towed her again, fixed it (I don't remember if the engine was replaced). The charge? $180 to rebuild the QJet.
I love telling this story; it makes me wanna go buy a Chevy today.
Damn truck ran for years and did a bazillion jobs. She was a money maker.
Wait - there's more...
A few months later, the QJet's float stuck open and flooded the cylinders. Yep, the engine couldn't compress the liquid and busted a rod.
The same dealer (Los Gatos CA) towed her again, fixed it (I don't remember if the engine was replaced). The charge? $180 to rebuild the QJet.
I love telling this story; it makes me wanna go buy a Chevy today.
Damn truck ran for years and did a bazillion jobs. She was a money maker.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,986
Likes: 21
From: Columbus MN
I recommend a GM crate also. I have a 350 HO Deluxe in my '80 with a stock 4-speed. Read about my recent dyno results here:
GM-350-ho-deluxe-crate-dyno-results-in-case-you-ve-wondered.html
GM rates the HO at 330 hp at the crank. Mine puts 293 hp to the rear wheels. When you add back the power train loss, mine is probably running about 340-350 at the crank. It's not the cheapest or most powerful around, but it's rock solid and an excellent value IMO.
GM-350-ho-deluxe-crate-dyno-results-in-case-you-ve-wondered.html
GM rates the HO at 330 hp at the crank. Mine puts 293 hp to the rear wheels. When you add back the power train loss, mine is probably running about 340-350 at the crank. It's not the cheapest or most powerful around, but it's rock solid and an excellent value IMO.
