GM's Universal 350 Crate engine

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May 28, 2002 | 03:08 PM

Adam Wartell

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Burning Brakes

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From: Eagleville PA

GM's Universal 350 Crate engine

Anyone have experience with GM's "Universal 350" (aka "LM1") crate engine?

That is what I am putting into my '79 right now, and I'm curious to know if any of you can tell me what kind of performance, trouble, etc. that I'll get out of it.

Thanks! :cheers:

May 28, 2002 | 03:20 PM

Fevre

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From: Living in the Hartland

Re: GM's Universal 350 Crate engine (adamw1979)

If you can, put a bigger cam in it. I bought a cheap $59 cam from summit with .420/.442 lift and I am very happy with the performance so far. You can get the cam only since you can reuse the stock lifters since they are new. If I could I would go even bigger with the cam .44/.44 but too late now. Any bigger and you would probably need bigger springs. I am thinking of 1.6 ration stamp steel rockers just to see what they will do for me. It isn't a monster engine but good for $ IMO.

May 28, 2002 | 04:36 PM

Fevre

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From: Living in the Hartland

Re: GM's Universal 350 Crate engine (Fevre)

check this page out. I have the same cam specs for the 285 horse
[/URL] engine.http://www.sallee-chevrolet.com/ChevySmallBlockV8s/gen350.html[URL]

May 28, 2002 | 04:55 PM

MIKER

Melting Slicks

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From: Tolar Texas

Re: GM's Universal 350 Crate engine (adamw1979)

This link is an oldie but goodie!
The Goodwrench Quest
http://corvettefaq.com/c3/goodwrench...20part%201.htm

May 28, 2002 | 05:20 PM

Fevre

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From: Living in the Hartland

Re: GM's Universal 350 Crate engine (MIKER)

Our engine is actual a better starting point then what they used in their test. It has flat top cast pistons with 4 valve relief and is rated at 8.5/1 comp. I am tempted to slap my trick flow heads on it to really get it cookin'.

May 28, 2002 | 11:00 PM

shotgun_000

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From: No link, No dupe

Re: GM's Universal 350 Crate engine (adamw1979)

I think that the GM universal 350 is rated at 240hp? If so, it has about the same hp as my engine (stock 87 Corvette engine). With a 3.70 gear ratio, and TH350 transmission, I can do 0-60 in 5.8 seconds. Once during the cold winter, I managed a 5.2 (that cold air sure helps!). This is roughly the same as a V-8 powered Mustang GT. 1/4 mile times should be from the low 14's to mid 14's. It may not be a track terror, but keep in mind that not many factory cars of today can do even that. The ones that can certainly cost much more than our C3. With all that said, I agree with the others about putting in a stronger cam. For the money and warranty, the GM Universal 350 can't be beat!

May 28, 2002 | 11:06 PM

Nomad78SA

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From: Clarksville,Tn,USA TN

Re: GM's Universal 350 Crate engine (shotgun_000)

I wonder how it would hold up with a Weiand 671 blower bolted on top of it. :D For the money and about 7-8 boost, it would be a blast for a weekend cruiser
Neil in tenn

May 28, 2002 | 11:41 PM

GrandSportC3

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From: Lakeland, FL

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St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17

Re: GM's Universal 350 Crate engine (adamw1979)

I saw some articles in Chevy High Performance about this engine. They put some Vortec Heads, Intake and a nice cam on this engine and produced 400+ HP!!!

:cheers:

Olivier