Good afternoon forum!

I'm thinking it's time for an engine upgrade in my 79 vette (tired of slugging around)! I need some advice in my search, I've been doing a lot of research and poking around need some solid suggestions based on experience.

Lets start with my Budget (main limiting factor), which is 6,000 firm.

Main goal - This is my weekend crusing car, I dont need good gas mileage but I want a reliable car that will throw me back for years to come.

Now let me fill you in on some of the combos I've looked at/researched.

The LSx series... Well this was my original plan, after searching high and low I found a guy who has an ls1 out of a 99 transam with 120k (complete with transmission) for 1,500. I thought I had it made until I started looking around at additional costs... Total costs (on the cheap side) came out to around 8,000 installed. (Ive got a guy who will drop the ls in my c3 for 2k or drop a 350 crate type in for 1k).

LSx Conclusion - too expensive for me .

So I deicded to take to ebay/CL and found a badass 383 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/CHEVY-350B-383-409HP-4-BOLT-CRATE-ENGINE-HIGH-PERFORMANCE-TURN-KEY-WORLD-HEADS-5-/201043822620?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2ecf25481c&vxp=mtr) or so I thought. After researching the company selling this engine I found out that they have TRASH reviews. So back to the books.

I still like the idea of spending around 4k on a new engine 1k having my transmission gone through, stalled, rebuilt/whatever else and 1k for the install. I found a few promosing posts about yearone engines (3k for 400hp/ft-lbs) but I'm not sold, and the ZZ4 is out of my price range.

Can you all suggest some good builders/engine types for my project?

 

I just did this....here is my thread

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...int-383-a.html


Blueprint Engines - Forum sponsor (50,000 mile warranty too!)
383 stroker, alum heads, roller cam, dynoed at 432HP & 461 TQ - $3700 - Free shipping
Part# BP38313CT1

ALL total after getting new torque converter, headers, starter etc.....UNDER $5000

The thing pulls like a freight train too.....VERY strong.

 

Sending PM

 

This is why I love this forum. Thanks MrJlr I will look into those engines, I will also send you a pm with some more questions!

 

I was it this same point a few months ago....Rebuild what I had that I had no clue of what it was and buy new and be happy. I opted for an ATK 375 HP 350 with Roller Cam and Aluminum Heads.

http://high-performance-engines.com/...duct_Code=HP89

I already had a new Edlebrock manifold, Quick Fuel 680 CFM Carb and new Edlebrock valve covers form the 1st plan.

I ordered the engine complete with their balancer and I should have included the flex plate....The ATK uses the newer One Piece Rear Main Seal some you may need a newer Flex plate as well as Dust Cover for the transmission.

We dropped it in last weekend.



ATK also offers a 379 HP 383 Stroker and a few other options as well in the Stage 1 Group. They also offer Stage II and Stage III engine if you are so inclined.

Karsten

 

you can get a zz4 long block from pace performsnce for 3600 shipped, if that's an option for you.

 

Awesome engine and a great price! Sweet
I see you painted it orange - nice!

Where's your install thread!!!!!

Got it running yet?

 

The Install Post to date has been a brefeif Resto post with everything new underneath plus all new everything coming soon.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...ve-i-done.html

Karsten

 

Great thread, keep it coming fellas !

As of right now my new engine parts list includes the following: 383 X (most likely going with a Blueprint as of right now), Holley 600cfm carb, Headers (Not sure on brand, I'm thinking Long Tube headers, and I’ve had good luck with Hooker before) and a new distributer (not sure what kind/brand.. Does it make a difference?). That’s all for the engine as of right now, I am going to try and rob the rest of the parts needed from my current setup.

As far as the tranny goes… I believe I have the standard 3spd tranny, not for sure. But I would like to have it rebuilt with a shift kit and add a stall to ensure that it will couple well with my new engine. Open to suggestions as far as that goes. I plan on spending around 1k on the tranny for the rebuilt, shift kit, and stall – does that sounds reasonable?

Open to suggestions on this build! I'd like to start making some purchases by next week so let me know what im missing!

 

1k should be plenty to go through your T350+ a stall
C3s arent light def do the 383>350

Vortecpro builds a nice motor for the money and will stay together. Built dynoed ready to go 1 man op; Davis Unified Ignition for the HEI can tailor an advance curve based on your motor/build. Curve is VERY important so it makes the power it should

 

Do your homework. MrJlr had good luck so far, under 100 miles. They changed their name from Marshall engines to Blueprint engines. Not a member of the BBB.
There are many, many others that had major problems or catastrophic failure not covered under warrantee, Warrantee should always be good on a dyno run engine if it is not overeved. You get what you pay for. FAST, DURABLE, CHEAP, PICK 2.

http://www.bing.com/search?q=bluepri...DTSH&pc=HPDTDF

http://www.bing.com/search?q=Marshal...e970ed7348834d

 

Solid Advice.

 

LS from a junkyard, that you see/hear before they pull it for you, get the trans and harness/computer also.....and DIY for maybe 3 grand total....course you don't have the tools, well, maybe buy a few of them and learn....

 

I have a tid bit of info. GM Crate motors are all new parts, will have a GM steel crank and a good warranty you can count on , how do I know you can count on it ?

Just did a ZZ383 in an 89 Vette ,, Started her up set up initial bla bla bla ... Just before the road test it started to clatter ,, sounded like a solid roller cam . called GMPP discussed issue was asked to adjust rocker arm lash and get paid 1.5 hr labor to do it.

Did that , fired her up and clattering like a sewing machine .. Called them back .. They said pull it we will pay 8.5 hr labor to R and R it and send you a new motor.

Simple , easy and what you hope for.

 

First of all, I wont be doing an LS already stated that! It will cost well well over 3000 even if I were able to do the install myself. I called Vortecpro today and spoke with Dennis.. He just about has me convinced that I should buy a motor from a shop, he gave me a very reasonable quote on a 383 w/~475hp. Then I started looking around on the Vortecpro webpage and saw a few BBs that make over 500horses... Back to the drawing boards. I want this swap to last and have no regrets. I think that might mean throwing down on a BB, time for some research!

 

From what I have read, this is THE engine @ $3,700.

PO, You now have $2,300 to spend, what is the condition of the rest of your drive train? Trans and diff may need a refresh.

Took me 17 years and I have yet to reach this level of performance; no excuses but this is what I would aspire to achieve someday.

 

The BP383 is up there on my list... I've got a few reservations but Jeffs success is definitely inspiring. If I want to do this swap in the near future I will be going that route, if I decide to wait a while and save up I will likely go another. Big decision to make, I don't want to be hasty

 

What life has taught me is first intuitions are usually the best, however, opinions are like you know what-everyone has one. Here is mine. I'd wait until you have the additional 2k to do it right, do it once and spend the remainder of your years not ever having to look back and regret the LSx swap. Along with the LSx swap comes either a 4L60e or a Tramec 6 speed, both of which offer a pretty high overdrive gear, allowing you to do things like have your cake and eat it too. Fuel economy will come something your C3 was never used to and take you a lot farther than a tank of fuel used to.

So if I were an 800 dollar an hour shrink and read your initial post, I'd probably take you back to your statement in red bold italics...but that's just me.

 

If it were me... and, I'm just dreamin'... I would go with a DART SHP short block kit and build from there. But, I am biased as I just did my top-end refresh in 2013. I REALLY like the idea of the 377-408 (ready to assemble) short block kits on eBay in $3K-4K range.

 

I was looking for almost exactly what you described. Only difference is I wanted to keep it looking as stock as possible under the hood. I just picked mine up last week from a local builder. They took my stock 350 stroked it out to 383 with World Products heads, new high output dist. ported my intake to match the heads and running my stock carb (I am sure I am leaving parts off the list). Everything inside the engine was replaced with brand new parts, they did the line bore and all in house, as well as putting on the dyno machine to do the engine brake in. I did have a true dyno done as I was not looking for numbers, but they showed where they had tuned the same set up before for guys at about 425 HP and 475 torque.
The great part is I still have the numbers matching engine (I kept my heads also) that if my car ever goes up in value it will be even better with the correct engine. I can also return it to a 350 if I ever choose to do so (cannot think of a reason I would). When I open the hood at a cruse in I look stock, but when I hit the pedal I still get that smile on my face.
I was out the door at just over $3100