Looking for a new Engine
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 379
Likes: 0
From: Thief River Falls Minnesota
Looking for a new Engine
Hi All,
I'm looking for a new engine, the one in my 81 is quite anemic, unoriginal, and it has been eating antifreeze in it's regular diet due to the previous owner not tightening intake bolts.
I'm looking for suggestions on a reputable, affordable, and reliable engine shop for an engine in the 400-500hp range, preferably a long block, as I'd like to install fuel injection on it at a later date. I'm not looking for an LSX engine, just a regular small block
All suggestions are welcome, thanks!
76CustomPaint
I'm looking for a new engine, the one in my 81 is quite anemic, unoriginal, and it has been eating antifreeze in it's regular diet due to the previous owner not tightening intake bolts.
I'm looking for suggestions on a reputable, affordable, and reliable engine shop for an engine in the 400-500hp range, preferably a long block, as I'd like to install fuel injection on it at a later date. I'm not looking for an LSX engine, just a regular small block
All suggestions are welcome, thanks!
76CustomPaint
Pro
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 710
Likes: 0
From: Northern Florida
Hi All,
I'm looking for a new engine, the one in my 81 is quite anemic, unoriginal, and it has been eating antifreeze in it's regular diet due to the previous owner not tightening intake bolts.
I'm looking for suggestions on a reputable, affordable, and reliable engine shop for an engine in the 400-500hp range, preferably a long block, as I'd like to install fuel injection on it at a later date. I'm not looking for an LSX engine, just a regular small block
All suggestions are welcome, thanks!
76CustomPaint
I'm looking for a new engine, the one in my 81 is quite anemic, unoriginal, and it has been eating antifreeze in it's regular diet due to the previous owner not tightening intake bolts.
I'm looking for suggestions on a reputable, affordable, and reliable engine shop for an engine in the 400-500hp range, preferably a long block, as I'd like to install fuel injection on it at a later date. I'm not looking for an LSX engine, just a regular small block
All suggestions are welcome, thanks!
76CustomPaint
Why not buy a suitable Crate engine from a place like Summit Racing or Jegs...and have your local Machine Shop / auto Repair Shop install it ? If emissions testing is not a factor in your State, select a non-emissions engine . Nows the chance to really UP the h.p./tq . to wake up your '81 .
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 2,473
Likes: 10
From: New Paltz, New York USA
I recently installed a new crate engine in my 81. It's a 350/300HP and I got it from Pace Performance. The tech there( Mark) was very helpful and the new motor runs great. The price was also very good.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,739
Likes: 630
From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
likely best value out there:
Year One p/n CT350PC1 ... ~400hp-tq, real dyno sheet, roller cam, pump gas ... many sold, good company rep ... delivered to cont USA door for about $3200.
http://www.yearone.com/serverfiles/f...496&cat=Q&trk=
Year One p/n CT350PC1 ... ~400hp-tq, real dyno sheet, roller cam, pump gas ... many sold, good company rep ... delivered to cont USA door for about $3200.
http://www.yearone.com/serverfiles/f...496&cat=Q&trk=
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 987
Likes: 7
From: Surrey British Columbia
If you're not interested in keeping your numbers matching, then a new crate engine from GM is the way to go. I'm hucking the L48 from my '80 and throwing in a 350 cu in H.O. (330 hp) with a 5-speed manual bolted onto the rear. VAROOM!!!
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 8,351
Likes: 75
From: Tampa Bay FL
likely best value out there:
Year One p/n CT350PC1 ... ~400hp-tq, real dyno sheet, roller cam, pump gas ... many sold, good company rep ... delivered to cont USA door for about $3200.
http://www.yearone.com/serverfiles/f...496&cat=Q&trk=
Year One p/n CT350PC1 ... ~400hp-tq, real dyno sheet, roller cam, pump gas ... many sold, good company rep ... delivered to cont USA door for about $3200.
http://www.yearone.com/serverfiles/f...496&cat=Q&trk=
I have my '80 L48 and would really enjoy dropping a 400hp, 350ci engine in its place to liven up my driving experience!!!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,223
Likes: 174
From: Fort Wayne IN
likely best value out there:
Year One p/n CT350PC1 ... ~400hp-tq, real dyno sheet, roller cam, pump gas ... many sold, good company rep ... delivered to cont USA door for about $3200.
http://www.yearone.com/serverfiles/f...496&cat=Q&trk=
Year One p/n CT350PC1 ... ~400hp-tq, real dyno sheet, roller cam, pump gas ... many sold, good company rep ... delivered to cont USA door for about $3200.
http://www.yearone.com/serverfiles/f...496&cat=Q&trk=
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 1
From: Port Clinton Ohio
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
I went with the GM performance parts 330 horse 350. It's a great engine and gets decent milage but I wish I had gone with the 383. It could use a bit more power.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 379
Likes: 0
From: Thief River Falls Minnesota
I like the options that have come so far, lots of good choices, lets keep them coming 
billla - south of 10K sounds about right
Figure that without intake or carb/FI
Easy Mike - even the block needs to be changed on this one, it's a 2 bolt goodwrench engine. I may still go the build-my-own route though
Dave - I wish my inlaws liked me that much maybe they'll pay me just to get me to leave??
p.s. Santa didn't bring me an engine this year
billla - south of 10K sounds about right
Figure that without intake or carb/FIEasy Mike - even the block needs to be changed on this one, it's a 2 bolt goodwrench engine. I may still go the build-my-own route though
Dave - I wish my inlaws liked me that much maybe they'll pay me just to get me to leave??
p.s. Santa didn't bring me an engine this year
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,739
Likes: 630
From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
What about hood clearance? I see it has the vortec heads and would require the intake. Sounds like a great mill for $3K. Is there a vortec intake that I could use with my stock air cleaner and q-jet and still clear the hood safely?
I have my '80 L48 and would really enjoy dropping a 400hp, 350ci engine in its place to liven up my driving experience!!!
I have my '80 L48 and would really enjoy dropping a 400hp, 350ci engine in its place to liven up my driving experience!!!
Probably PP 52007 but I cannot KNOW ... too many variables among C3 hoods ... that yearone has a pro products crosswind 52028 which compares to edelbrock rpm airgap 7516. Suggest asking YO if they'd substitute much shorter pp cyclone 52007 (similar to eb2116 but shorter) ... probably no cost swap except for maybe ten max hp loss. BTW 52007 is shortest vortec intake out there. Also, height ain't the only consideration, angle just as important. You can see below, vortec 52007 is less than a 1/4" taller than popular eb 2101 that fits OE C3 sbc head ... seems eb2101 fits any C3 hood.
I measured/compared a few intakes:
(OE '71 L48) Intake Manifold,
Cast Iron c/n 3973460 F = 2.69” R = 4.375”, avg 3.53”,
35 degrees down in front
Intake Manifold, Weiand alum. p/n 8004 F = 3.50”, R = 4”, avg 3.75”
11 degrees down in front
Intake Manifold, Edelbrock p/n 2101 F = 3.50” , R = 4.60, avg 4.05”
22 degrees down in front
vortec EB 2116 A = 3.87", B = 5.28", AVG= 4.575"
vortec PP 52007 A = 3.60", B = 4.90", AVG = 4.25"
