New motor for 81
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 393
Likes: 21
From: Centreville, Maryland
New motor for 81
Ok, looking for honest opinions. I am deciding between buying a short block and a top end kit or just pulling the trigger on a drop in crate motor. I want to put a motor in and maybe rebuild the original over a period of time. What are the opinions you guys have as far as total cost and which one would be better. I don't have a lot of knowledge but I would like to build a motor at some point. I am not looking for some crazy speed demon, just looking for somewhere around 350 hp or so. Thanks in advance for the advice and tips.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 1,008
Likes: 163
I'd vote for crate motor. For the cost of a short block and decent top end (don't buy a kit, they just aren't worth it) you could buy the Blueprint 383 crate motor. That thing makes 430 hp (a little over 300 at the wheels) for like $3800.
Is your current motor stock? If all you want is 350 hp, you can get that with a top end build on your current motor, assuming it's in decent shape. That's the route I went since I was on a budget. I upped the compression by installing 64cc Brodix aluminum heads and a .015 shim steel head gasket. That got me a little over 9:1 compression ratio with the stock dished pistons. Then I installed a Lunati 268 cam and lifters and a Performer RPM intake. Haven't put it on a dyno yet, but I've driven quite a few cars with 300-500 horsepower and I'd definitely say it's north of 300 hp.
Is your current motor stock? If all you want is 350 hp, you can get that with a top end build on your current motor, assuming it's in decent shape. That's the route I went since I was on a budget. I upped the compression by installing 64cc Brodix aluminum heads and a .015 shim steel head gasket. That got me a little over 9:1 compression ratio with the stock dished pistons. Then I installed a Lunati 268 cam and lifters and a Performer RPM intake. Haven't put it on a dyno yet, but I've driven quite a few cars with 300-500 horsepower and I'd definitely say it's north of 300 hp.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 393
Likes: 21
From: Centreville, Maryland
[QUOTE=mobird;1593755183]I'd vote for crate motor. For the cost of a short block and decent top end (don't buy a kit, they just aren't worth it) you could buy the Blueprint 383 crate motor. That thing makes 430 hp (a little over 300 at the wheels) for like $3800.
a turn key 383 for 3800?
a turn key 383 for 3800?
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
maybe a longblock?
Like building my own but unless it had to be some special app motor these days just buy a crate, go throught he original when you want.
Honestly once you have a modern stroker youll lose all interest in the original.
Like building my own but unless it had to be some special app motor these days just buy a crate, go throught he original when you want.
Honestly once you have a modern stroker youll lose all interest in the original.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 1,008
Likes: 163
[QUOTE=shaun8484;1593755215]
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/mll-bp38313ct1
Here you go. Just move your intake manifold and Qjet over to this engine and it's good to go. Or if you want they sell a dressed engine with carb and distributor for $4500.
I pretty much never hear a bad word about these engines, everyone seems to love them, especially for the price.
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/mll-bp38313ct1
Here you go. Just move your intake manifold and Qjet over to this engine and it's good to go. Or if you want they sell a dressed engine with carb and distributor for $4500.
I pretty much never hear a bad word about these engines, everyone seems to love them, especially for the price.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,360
Likes: 59
From: Meldrim Georgia
[QUOTE=mobird;1593755560]
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/mll-bp38313ct1
Here you go. Just move your intake manifold and Qjet over to this engine and it's good to go. Or if you want they sell a dressed engine with carb and distributor for $4500.
I pretty much never hear a bad word about these engines, everyone seems to love them, especially for the price.
That's the exact same engine I bought from Summit Racing and installed in my car.
I've had it for 2 years with no problem. Plenty of power for me.
$3600 http://www.ebay.com/itm/BluePrint-En...-/331753765452
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/mll-bp38313ct1
Here you go. Just move your intake manifold and Qjet over to this engine and it's good to go. Or if you want they sell a dressed engine with carb and distributor for $4500.
I pretty much never hear a bad word about these engines, everyone seems to love them, especially for the price.
I've had it for 2 years with no problem. Plenty of power for me.
$3600 http://www.ebay.com/itm/BluePrint-En...-/331753765452
Last edited by havesometo; Dec 29, 2016 at 06:25 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 1,008
Likes: 163
[QUOTE=havesometo;1593756433]
That's the exact same engine I bought from Summit Racing and installed in my car.
I've had it for 2 years with no problem. Plenty of power for me.
$3600 http://www.ebay.com/itm/BluePrint-En...-/331753765452
Nice! I would have bought it by now, but I REALLY want to put together a small blower motor this year. Even though the Blueprint 383 would be decent for low boost levels, I kinda want something with a little lower compression and forged pistons just to be sure my motor will last with boost.
If I was sticking with N/A, that 430hp 383 would be more than enough for a quick street car.
That's the exact same engine I bought from Summit Racing and installed in my car.
I've had it for 2 years with no problem. Plenty of power for me.
$3600 http://www.ebay.com/itm/BluePrint-En...-/331753765452
Nice! I would have bought it by now, but I REALLY want to put together a small blower motor this year. Even though the Blueprint 383 would be decent for low boost levels, I kinda want something with a little lower compression and forged pistons just to be sure my motor will last with boost.
If I was sticking with N/A, that 430hp 383 would be more than enough for a quick street car.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Those little st blowers are fun man does it transform a car
make sure they gap the rings for it when built & a cam that will compliment the blower. That way you can still drive it around NA but once adding the blower no need to worry about anything. Wont be ideal NA but still feel good.
Many yrs ago did a cheapie I mean REAL cheap 383 for a buddys Chevelle stockish cast parts with the cheapest forged piston we could find, a "wrong" isky ft cam 882 heads stock. It was ok na way better than the 307 but not exciting. Add the 144 blower and wow power was awesome for what it was. Pulled a heavy convertible with a stock converter and 3.08 gear real good.
make sure they gap the rings for it when built & a cam that will compliment the blower. That way you can still drive it around NA but once adding the blower no need to worry about anything. Wont be ideal NA but still feel good.
Many yrs ago did a cheapie I mean REAL cheap 383 for a buddys Chevelle stockish cast parts with the cheapest forged piston we could find, a "wrong" isky ft cam 882 heads stock. It was ok na way better than the 307 but not exciting. Add the 144 blower and wow power was awesome for what it was. Pulled a heavy convertible with a stock converter and 3.08 gear real good.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 1,008
Likes: 163
I'm sure Havesmeto will still respond, but just so you know, a 383 block is the same as a 350 block on the outside, so it just bolts right in. Same engine mounts, same transmission bolt pattern, etc... so you literally just pull your engine out, move everything you need to move over (carb connections, throttle linkage, etc...) and bolt the new motor in. Fairly simple if you have a weekend free.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,360
Likes: 59
From: Meldrim Georgia
I do remember talking to blueprint and they said I needed a flywheel for a 1987 and up but I don't remember what year. I would imagine you could put some of your old parts on it.
Former Vendor
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 145
Likes: 13
[QUOTE=mobird;1593760223]
Nice! I would have bought it by now, but I REALLY want to put together a small blower motor this year. Even though the Blueprint 383 would be decent for low boost levels, I kinda want something with a little lower compression and forged pistons just to be sure my motor will last with boost.
If I was sticking with N/A, that 430hp 383 would be more than enough for a quick street car.
Hey havesometo
If you are looking for a blower ready 383 stroker. check out this engine we build just for that. It features an all forged rotating assembly, 8.5 compression pistons, our 195cc aluminum heads, and a Comp Cams blower specific hydraulic roller camshaft.
http://blueprintengines.com/index.ph...ase-bp38316ct1
We also just started building this engine with our new block castings, part number BP38317CT1. They are not yet on our website, but you can read about it on Summit's website.
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/mll-bp38317ct1
We would like to thank everyone for your support of our engines here.
Scott Liggett
BluePrint Engines
Product Specialist
1(800)483-4263
info@blueprintengines.com
www.blueprintengines.com
Nice! I would have bought it by now, but I REALLY want to put together a small blower motor this year. Even though the Blueprint 383 would be decent for low boost levels, I kinda want something with a little lower compression and forged pistons just to be sure my motor will last with boost.
If I was sticking with N/A, that 430hp 383 would be more than enough for a quick street car.
If you are looking for a blower ready 383 stroker. check out this engine we build just for that. It features an all forged rotating assembly, 8.5 compression pistons, our 195cc aluminum heads, and a Comp Cams blower specific hydraulic roller camshaft.
http://blueprintengines.com/index.ph...ase-bp38316ct1
We also just started building this engine with our new block castings, part number BP38317CT1. They are not yet on our website, but you can read about it on Summit's website.
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/mll-bp38317ct1
We would like to thank everyone for your support of our engines here.
Scott Liggett
BluePrint Engines
Product Specialist
1(800)483-4263
info@blueprintengines.com
www.blueprintengines.com
Last edited by BluePrint Engines; Dec 30, 2016 at 05:30 PM.
Former Vendor
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 145
Likes: 13
[QUOTE=mobird;1593760223]
Nice! I would have bought it by now, but I REALLY want to put together a small blower motor this year. Even though the Blueprint 383 would be decent for low boost levels, I kinda want something with a little lower compression and forged pistons just to be sure my motor will last with boost.
If I was sticking with N/A, that 430hp 383 would be more than enough for a quick street car.
Hey havesomoto
If you are looking for a blower ready 383 stroker. check out this engine we build just for that. It features an all forged rotating assembly, 8.5 compression pistons, our 195cc aluminum heads, and a Comp Cams blower specific hydraulic roller camshaft.
http://blueprintengines.com/index.ph...ase-bp38316ct1
We also just started building this engine with our new block castings, part number BP38317CT1. They are not yet on our website, but you can read about it on Summit's website.
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/mll-bp38317ct1
We would like to thank everyone for your support of our engines here.
Scott Liggett
BluePrint Engines
Product Specialist
1(800)483-4263
info@blueprintengines.com
www.blueprintengines.com
Nice! I would have bought it by now, but I REALLY want to put together a small blower motor this year. Even though the Blueprint 383 would be decent for low boost levels, I kinda want something with a little lower compression and forged pistons just to be sure my motor will last with boost.
If I was sticking with N/A, that 430hp 383 would be more than enough for a quick street car.
If you are looking for a blower ready 383 stroker. check out this engine we build just for that. It features an all forged rotating assembly, 8.5 compression pistons, our 195cc aluminum heads, and a Comp Cams blower specific hydraulic roller camshaft.
http://blueprintengines.com/index.ph...ase-bp38316ct1
We also just started building this engine with our new block castings, part number BP38317CT1. They are not yet on our website, but you can read about it on Summit's website.
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/mll-bp38317ct1
We would like to thank everyone for your support of our engines here.
Scott Liggett
BluePrint Engines
Product Specialist
1(800)483-4263
info@blueprintengines.com
www.blueprintengines.com