Some people have all the luck....
New engine time
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 407
Likes: 0
From: Fort Washington PA
New engine time
So my nephew takes my 69 out while I was on vacation (he was house sitting), no big deal he's really into cars and actually graduated from McPherson College for automotive restoration. And before anyone says he was driving like a madman and he should pay for it, I probably drive it a lot harder than he does. It could have happened to me just as easily but it was just his dumb luck. But that's besides the point, anyway, the engine blows up, busted a piston and cracked the block and he towed it back to my garage. So my question is, and I'm just looking for suggestions here, what do I replace it with. It was a crate engine and not a numbers matching car so I can pretty much do what I want. But I don't necessarily want to get into a $100,000 redo.
I believe the engine was a GM - Fast burn, 385. http://www.gmperformanceparts.com/En...9710&engCat=sb
I had a fuel injection system and some other goodies that pumped up the HP to about 450. I can replace it with what I had but probably not re-use the injection system since it is pretty old at this point and there are a lot better systems on the market today.
I'm not even sure what kind of cash we're talkin' about to replace it.
Any ideas?
I believe the engine was a GM - Fast burn, 385. http://www.gmperformanceparts.com/En...9710&engCat=sb
I had a fuel injection system and some other goodies that pumped up the HP to about 450. I can replace it with what I had but probably not re-use the injection system since it is pretty old at this point and there are a lot better systems on the market today.
I'm not even sure what kind of cash we're talkin' about to replace it.
Any ideas?
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 860
Likes: 0
From: Stratford Ontario
I think it would be cool to have the new LS7 427 under the hood but thats going to bring the cost up. Then you could run with the 427 badging and when people ask you can say yes its a 427 car.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 725
Likes: 1
From: FL.
So my nephew takes my 69 out while I was on vacation (he was house sitting), no big deal he's really into cars and actually graduated from McPherson College for automotive restoration. And before anyone says he was driving like a madman and he should pay for it, I probably drive it a lot harder than he does. It could have happened to me just as easily but it was just his dumb luck. But that's besides the point, anyway, the engine blows up, busted a piston and cracked the block and he towed it back to my garage. So my question is, and I'm just looking for suggestions here, what do I replace it with. It was a crate engine and not a numbers matching car so I can pretty much do what I want. But I don't necessarily want to get into a $100,000 redo.
I believe the engine was a GM - Fast burn, 385. http://www.gmperformanceparts.com/En...9710&engCat=sb
I had a fuel injection system and some other goodies that pumped up the HP to about 450. I can replace it with what I had but probably not re-use the injection system since it is pretty old at this point and there are a lot better systems on the market today.
I'm not even sure what kind of cash we're talkin' about to replace it.
Any ideas?
I believe the engine was a GM - Fast burn, 385. http://www.gmperformanceparts.com/En...9710&engCat=sb
I had a fuel injection system and some other goodies that pumped up the HP to about 450. I can replace it with what I had but probably not re-use the injection system since it is pretty old at this point and there are a lot better systems on the market today.
I'm not even sure what kind of cash we're talkin' about to replace it.
Any ideas?
$5,000.00-$6,500.00 will get you any of the Real nice stroker Crate motors available.
The zz-383 is Great, pricey.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,231
Likes: 65
From: Seattle WA
St. Jude Donor '14
As usual, you're better off to work backwards from a budget...otherwise you'll never get a reasonable set of answers as the options are unlimited 
More information on the trans and gears would help a bunch.
I'm not particularly fond of the 385. The Fast Burn heads are a bit Old Skool at this point; I'd lean towards the HT383 or ZZ383...although an LS is still the best choice if you can swing it
More information on the trans and gears would help a bunch.
I'm not particularly fond of the 385. The Fast Burn heads are a bit Old Skool at this point; I'd lean towards the HT383 or ZZ383...although an LS is still the best choice if you can swing it
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 407
Likes: 0
From: Fort Washington PA
This is what I had:
350 block, bored .040 over 383 crankshaft
Crane hydraulic roller cam: .509 intake/ .528 exhaust lift duration 284/292
Dart cast iron heads: Intake 2.05 exhaust 1.60
Roller rocker arms
Super-Ram Fuel Injection with adjustable fuel pressure and power tuner
Stock Distributor with adjustable vacuum advance
MSD spark control and coil
Hooker Side-mount headers
Transmission:
Richmond 5-Speed
Rear End: Rebuilt with 3.08 gears
I'm thinking I'm going to be in the $5K to $7K area or better, but I'd like to get some additional HP if I can, without replacing the whole back end.
I'm looking at my options with a new crate engine or a rebuilt, but I'm leaning towards the new because it comes complete with everything, plug and play (sort of).
350 block, bored .040 over 383 crankshaft
Crane hydraulic roller cam: .509 intake/ .528 exhaust lift duration 284/292
Dart cast iron heads: Intake 2.05 exhaust 1.60
Roller rocker arms
Super-Ram Fuel Injection with adjustable fuel pressure and power tuner
Stock Distributor with adjustable vacuum advance
MSD spark control and coil
Hooker Side-mount headers
Transmission:
Richmond 5-Speed
Rear End: Rebuilt with 3.08 gears
I'm thinking I'm going to be in the $5K to $7K area or better, but I'd like to get some additional HP if I can, without replacing the whole back end.
I'm looking at my options with a new crate engine or a rebuilt, but I'm leaning towards the new because it comes complete with everything, plug and play (sort of).
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,231
Likes: 65
From: Seattle WA
St. Jude Donor '14
My gut would be to just swap a shortblock under your existing top. Cheap, quick and relatively easy. I'd like more information on the Dart heads - but I have to assume they're 210's or 220s with that big of an intake valve...?
I'm a bit confused as you noted you had a GMPP 385 crate...yet this description is of a completely different engine...?
I'm a bit confused as you noted you had a GMPP 385 crate...yet this description is of a completely different engine...?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 407
Likes: 0
From: Fort Washington PA
My gut would be to just swap a shortblock under your existing top. Cheap, quick and relatively easy. I'd like more information on the Dart heads - but I have to assume they're 210's or 220s with that big of an intake valve...?
I'm a bit confused as you noted you had a GMPP 385 crate...yet this description is of a completely different engine...?
I'm a bit confused as you noted you had a GMPP 385 crate...yet this description is of a completely different engine...?
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,716
Likes: 279
From: New York
So my nephew takes my 69 out while I was on vacation (he was house sitting), no big deal he's really into cars and actually graduated from McPherson College for automotive restoration. And before anyone says he was driving like a madman and he should pay for it, I probably drive it a lot harder than he does. It could have happened to me just as easily but it was just his dumb luck. But that's besides the point, anyway, the engine blows up, busted a piston and cracked the block and he towed it back to my garage. So my question is, and I'm just looking for suggestions here, what do I replace it with. It was a crate engine and not a numbers matching car so I can pretty much do what I want. But I don't necessarily want to get into a $100,000 redo.
I believe the engine was a GM - Fast burn, 385. http://www.gmperformanceparts.com/En...9710&engCat=sb
I had a fuel injection system and some other goodies that pumped up the HP to about 450. I can replace it with what I had but probably not re-use the injection system since it is pretty old at this point and there are a lot better systems on the market today.
I'm not even sure what kind of cash we're talkin' about to replace it.
Any ideas?
I believe the engine was a GM - Fast burn, 385. http://www.gmperformanceparts.com/En...9710&engCat=sb
I had a fuel injection system and some other goodies that pumped up the HP to about 450. I can replace it with what I had but probably not re-use the injection system since it is pretty old at this point and there are a lot better systems on the market today.
I'm not even sure what kind of cash we're talkin' about to replace it.
Any ideas?
It wound up not being his fault. The engine was re-built incorrectly. But that is another story…OK.. I did some research on these boards and the local guys. I would up buying A 383/ 450 HP from Golin. I think the Corvette is plenty fast now. I have 335/35X17’s Michelin PS2’s on the rear and often brake them loose if I am not smooth.
They have a LT1 Long block 383/ 500 hp that runs on pump gas.
http://www.golenengineservice.com/en...t1-long-block/
Why anyone needs more than 500 hp that doesn’t race is beyond me. After than, stuff will start to break, which will lead to another whole set of projects.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,231
Likes: 65
From: Seattle WA
St. Jude Donor '14
There's almost certainly a P/N cast into the side or top. If you decide to go the route of a new shortblock, you'll need to know specifics for sure - or just take them to a shop.
Still, the route I'd take would be a new shortblock for sure. If the crank is good and the rods are aftermarket, you're just talking block, pistons/rings, bearings and machine work...pretty inexpensive overall.
Still, the route I'd take would be a new shortblock for sure. If the crank is good and the rods are aftermarket, you're just talking block, pistons/rings, bearings and machine work...pretty inexpensive overall.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,223
Likes: 4
From: Regina Saskatchewan
CNC Motorsports has 383 shortblocks for $1400 +
I paid $1600 for mine, had it shipped and am VERY happy. Wouldn't hesitate again. Check out their web site.
I paid $1600 for mine, had it shipped and am VERY happy. Wouldn't hesitate again. Check out their web site.
Last edited by couperdecar; Aug 26, 2011 at 11:58 PM.
Cruising
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: DFW TX
A good shortblock can have you back and at a much cheaper price if your willing to do the work on your own. In the 5-7 price range...you can have a much nicer, more powerful, dyno tested/tuned engine. I can help you with either. Shoot me a PM if you want more info.