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350 rebuild recommendations

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Old Jan 27, 2017 | 12:35 PM
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Default 350 rebuild recommendations

I want to rebuild the 350 in my 1979 corvette and I'm not to familiar to the various companies and the longevity and quality of their products. I want to put in a 383 stroker kit and make as much power as I can but also I want it to be as reliable as it can. Can anyone nudge me in the right direction
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Old Jan 27, 2017 | 01:19 PM
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Nothing to crazy expensive I'm thinking like 2k for a top and bottom end for now
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Old Jan 27, 2017 | 01:46 PM
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Originally Posted by Jossyfilms
Nothing to crazy expensive I'm thinking like 2k for a top and bottom end for now
cheap, fast, reliable pick two.
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Old Jan 27, 2017 | 02:17 PM
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Originally Posted by Kacyc3
cheap, fast, reliable pick two.
can I do reliable with some kind of bump in power like 100 hp
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Old Jan 27, 2017 | 04:55 PM
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2k rebuild won't buy anything. for stroked motor
this requires new crank, new rods, new pistons, new cam.
a good head rebuild will cost 1k.
you want stroked and power, your looking at 3-4k minimum.
I would suggested a balanced Scat rotating assemble.

Last edited by 69Vett; Jan 27, 2017 at 04:56 PM.
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Old Jan 27, 2017 | 05:07 PM
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Originally Posted by Jossyfilms
can I do reliable with some kind of bump in power like 100 hp
What mods do you have done to it already and is it currently drivable?
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Old Jan 27, 2017 | 06:02 PM
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realistic goal to have both you can make decent power and have it last dont get too caught up in dyno #
dont go crazy with lift duration rpm
Personally i stay away from real fast ramp cams. If you need more power just put a bigger one in it.
Is the owner building it or an hourly? Lots to look into

What trans gearing?

Budget?

Good machine work is most important to longevity
one can use not so fancy stuff but if machining is spot on, and you dont get abusive to it (revving it hard cold etc) it can last a long long time

Last edited by cv67; Jan 27, 2017 at 06:04 PM.
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Old Jan 27, 2017 | 07:50 PM
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Originally Posted by 69Vett
2k rebuild won't buy anything. for stroked motor
this requires new crank, new rods, new pistons, new cam.
a good head rebuild will cost 1k.
you want stroked and power, your looking at 3-4k minimum.
I would suggested a balanced Scat rotating assemble.
hm ok when u get a new bottom end you hav to do the top end to support it right? And I'll prolly end up spending 3-4K
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Old Jan 27, 2017 | 07:51 PM
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Originally Posted by Kacyc3
What mods do you have done to it already and is it currently drivable?
as of right now it's completely stock and it's currently not drivable because a rod bearing went out so I'm just gunna get it pulled out and get the block machined
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Old Jan 27, 2017 | 07:57 PM
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Originally Posted by cuisinartvette
realistic goal to have both you can make decent power and have it last dont get too caught up in dyno #
dont go crazy with lift duration rpm
Personally i stay away from real fast ramp cams. If you need more power just put a bigger one in it.
Is the owner building it or an hourly? Lots to look into

What trans gearing?

Budget?

Good machine work is most important to longevity
one can use not so fancy stuff but if machining is spot on, and you dont get abusive to it (revving it hard cold etc) it can last a long long time
Any specific cams u can recommend? I'll be building it myself and it's a completely stock 1979 corvette and I'm not to sure Wat the trans gearing is for it. I'll look into it I know it's a 4 speed. And I was hoping to be able to do it for around 2k but that doesn't seem realistic haha so I max I'd say 5k for it all and is there a place u can recommend in SoCal?
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Old Jan 27, 2017 | 10:18 PM
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Buy a crate Motor and save the hassle of the process. Get sound hp numbers and a warranty
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Old Jan 27, 2017 | 10:57 PM
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Originally Posted by Jossyfilms
as of right now it's completely stock and it's currently not drivable because a rod bearing went out so I'm just gunna get it pulled out and get the block machined
well youre in a tight spot, any thing you put in the engine to make more HP needs supporting mods like long tube headers preferably, high flowing exhaust. Really need to know the gear to get the cam right. Ive got 2k in my short block, without gaskets, fluids, hoses etc.
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Old Jan 28, 2017 | 07:40 PM
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with diehrd, crate motor with warranty.

Last edited by lvmyvt76; Jan 28, 2017 at 07:40 PM.
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Old Jan 28, 2017 | 08:57 PM
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go with a GM crate, lower cost and longer life.


P.S. the new stroker kits are 409 and 434. The 434 has a short life, the 409 is ok. That is what I also saw the most last summer. But they are not cheep.
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Old Jan 29, 2017 | 02:05 PM
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also depends on your budget and determination. Your cheapest bet is to buy a rotating assembly, bore the block and put it back together. For a street motor you can get away with hyper pistons and cast crank and get 450 reliable hp with some vortec heads which are dirt cheap

crate motor is less hassle, but to make similar hp will cost you a bit

for many who go "all out" on parts, the rebuild will cost as much as the crate motor

realistically assess your budget, and that will drive how fast you can go
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Old Jan 30, 2017 | 11:33 AM
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Originally Posted by Rkreigh
also depends on your budget and determination. Your cheapest bet is to buy a rotating assembly, bore the block and put it back together. For a street motor you can get away with hyper pistons and cast crank and get 450 reliable hp with some vortec heads which are dirt cheap

crate motor is less hassle, but to make similar hp will cost you a bit

for many who go "all out" on parts, the rebuild will cost as much as the crate motor

realistically assess your budget, and that will drive how fast you can go

$650 is what it will cost to buy vortec heads, have them checked for cracks, planed to be flat, valve job, new seals, springs, and screw in studs. Unless you want to gamble with risking are they good or bad? Buy aftermarket and not mess with stock heads.
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Old Jan 30, 2017 | 05:55 PM
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I'm rebuilding my 81 right now also, it is just as much to rebuild the 350 as a 383 so might as well go 383. That's what I decided with the help of the guys on here and some research. Call jegs or summit and they will help a lot. But with the engine work and heads, new rotating assembly, cam, carb, intake, and everything else. I'm probably going to be around $3300.00 Price is including long tube headers / high flow water pump. That's using my block which is .30 over already but just need honed and my 2.02 heads. If you want a copy of my parts list send me a message on here and Ill send it to you. If not good luck. I did find 383 turnkey engine's on ebay for 3300-3800 and up! But none were near me so that makes me uncomfortable if something goes wrong with it and spending close to 4 grand!

Last edited by svetter84; Jan 30, 2017 at 06:00 PM.
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