Engines
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Lyman Maine
Engines
Hello All.. We are looking to upgrade our 1975 engine (getting bored with our 165HP LOL). Looking around 300- 400 HP range. Can anyone tell me from experience which engine/engines may fit the clearance of the original hood? Thanks 
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 12,146
Likes: 2,038
From: Easton, PA
St. Jude Donor '10
I put in a GMPP 350HO, 330HP and no modifications needed to the hood. I also changed out the old engine fan for spal fans installed on an aluminum radiator from Dewitts. Night and day change to my 77.
Good luck with your choice and mods.
David
Good luck with your choice and mods.
David
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Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Lyman Maine
Thanks everyone. I guess you could say I LOL really want a new engine. I would feel alot safer driving it to and from work. So I will take everyones advice and look forward to a NEXT winter project... If anyone has any more suggestions I would greatly appreciate them 
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 9,993
Likes: 1,136
From: League City Tx
Order you a nice 450hp small block from this guy for under $5k... Drop it in and be done..
http://www.vortecproperformance.com/...binations.html
It will be built right, put you in the 11s and be daily driveable.
I have one of his engines and 2 of my buddies have recently bought engines from Mark... All of them exceeded our expectations...
http://www.vortecproperformance.com/...binations.html
It will be built right, put you in the 11s and be daily driveable.
I have one of his engines and 2 of my buddies have recently bought engines from Mark... All of them exceeded our expectations...
Racer
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 457
Likes: 1
From: Royal Oak Michigan
What exhaust manifolds did you you with this engine if you dont mind me asking? I am looking at this same engine for my 1980.
Thanks Darrel
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,714
Likes: 42
From: Austin Texas
In my experience, the things that leave me stranded are not the motor. I have never blown a motor but accessories fail, alternator, starter, water pump, fuel pump... These are things you will want to factor into the upgrade for reliability. A crate motor will have some of those but not all.
You also want to take in to account your transmission type and gearing and your rear end gear ratio. Set a goal for the car and make those three systems work together.
300hp with 3.08's and a th400 can still be a drag if the cam comes in too late.
For a daily driver, an overdrive transmission would change your life.
If I were shopping for a motor, I would ask for a dyno print out (if possible) of the motor and see if my drive line components would let me get in the power band reasonably on the street.
You also want to take in to account your transmission type and gearing and your rear end gear ratio. Set a goal for the car and make those three systems work together.
300hp with 3.08's and a th400 can still be a drag if the cam comes in too late.
For a daily driver, an overdrive transmission would change your life.
If I were shopping for a motor, I would ask for a dyno print out (if possible) of the motor and see if my drive line components would let me get in the power band reasonably on the street.
Last edited by johnt365; Feb 21, 2013 at 10:09 AM.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 344
Likes: 4
From: Island Lake IL
You have to figure out what kind of power are you after, to do so the best thing to do would be to drive, even as a passenger in different cars of that era with different engines (neighbors, car clubs etc) Full rebuild with the Edelbrock package would run pretty expensive and will not give the expected results. I have one, and even with 4.11 the car is slow on the street, sure it sounds fast but a 15 yo F body or a Civic Si will drive around me. I don't think its worth to invest 5k or whatever into the current engine if it will only sound fast. I would say go for a Crate stoker, with that said, go for a turn key, dynoed engine. and ask if the power is NET. New/ rebuild engine is a big investment so its better to toss 1k or 2k extra than to be disappointed.
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 10,674
Likes: 122
From: Millington Illinois
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
It all sounds good but they are not as advertised. Cams are to big. Head flow is short and they need more compression than an L48 will provide with a powerband higher than the stock internals and gearing will match up with. Poor choice unless you have a low mile L82 with a low gear.
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 10,674
Likes: 122
From: Millington Illinois
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
In my experience, the things that leave me stranded are not the motor. I have never blown a motor but accessories fail, alternator, starter, water pump, fuel pump... These are things you will want to factor into the upgrade for reliability. A crate motor will have some of those but not all.
You also want to take in to account your transmission type and gearing and your rear end gear ratio. Set a goal for the car and make those three systems work together.
300hp with 3.08's and a th400 can still be a drag if the cam comes in too late.
For a daily driver, an overdrive transmission would change your life.
If I were shopping for a motor, I would ask for a dyno print out (if possible) of the motor and see if my drive line components would let me get in the power band reasonably on the street.
You also want to take in to account your transmission type and gearing and your rear end gear ratio. Set a goal for the car and make those three systems work together.
300hp with 3.08's and a th400 can still be a drag if the cam comes in too late.
For a daily driver, an overdrive transmission would change your life.
If I were shopping for a motor, I would ask for a dyno print out (if possible) of the motor and see if my drive line components would let me get in the power band reasonably on the street.
A 5 speed manual conversion, Headers, free flowing exhaust, a good tune and distributor recurve will totally change the car and likely will not have the need to swap engines until the more power bug bites you again. Then your all ready for a real upgrade. So many guys think a high HP engine is the answer and spend $5-10,000 only to be disappointed because the gearing is a total mismatch for the new engine. At this point many are no longer in a position to upgrade the rest of the driveline.
Last edited by 63mako; Feb 21, 2013 at 04:11 PM.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Lyman Maine
You all rock! Thank you so much for all your input. Right now we have some Excellent stainless Hooker Headers/Side mount exhausts and the car "sounds" awesome.. Now we want it to run awesome.. We have been looking at the Stoker dressed package, it looks good to me, but what do I know LOL. Yea I hear ya a manual conversion would kick *** too. Ajrothm- thanks for your info and by the way "nice car" my uncle has one exactly like it!!! 1971????? I will keep you all posted Thanks again... Stacey
Racer
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 344
Likes: 4
From: Island Lake IL
You all rock! Thank you so much for all your input. Right now we have some Excellent stainless Hooker Headers/Side mount exhausts and the car "sounds" awesome.. Now we want it to run awesome.. We have been looking at the Stoker dressed package, it looks good to me, but what do I know LOL. Yea I hear ya a manual conversion would kick *** too. Ajrothm- thanks for your info and by the way "nice car" my uncle has one exactly like it!!! 1971????? I will keep you all posted Thanks again... Stacey