View Poll Results: $4k Engine Swap
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 71. You may not vote on this poll
Agonizing over engine swap
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 20,209
Likes: 9,348
From: Im not allowed to tell you
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Are you building it or buying it. You can find a good 454 complete engine pretty cheap and get a good aftermarket aluminum block for $2k and build a 454 that weighs the same as a 383 with more power, torque and reliability. Then if you have cash left over go for a good set of aftermarket aluminum heads or save up for next winters build.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 88
Likes: 45
From: Littleton Colorado
Anybody have thoughts on this: https://epmmachineco.com/product/che...engine-vortec/
Last edited by RowdyMT; Apr 1, 2020 at 11:27 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,403
Likes: 95
Consider using your engine
This really sums up my goals. Real seat of the pants power on tap but retains drivability. Starting to sound like I have my answer...
Anybody have thoughts on this: https://epmmachineco.com/product/che...engine-vortec/
Anybody have thoughts on this: https://epmmachineco.com/product/che...engine-vortec/
Last edited by Little Mouse; Apr 1, 2020 at 12:14 PM.
Old Pro Solo Guy
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 8,082
Likes: 4,432
From: Marlton NJ
This really sums up my goals. Real seat of the pants power on tap but retains drivability. Starting to sound like I have my answer...
Anybody have thoughts on this: https://epmmachineco.com/product/che...engine-vortec/
Anybody have thoughts on this: https://epmmachineco.com/product/che...engine-vortec/
Steel cranks, one mentions Scat.
Downsides: 2 bolt block & hypereutic pistons
If you thin you're going to "lean" on it, or rev it often, or maybe get caught with octane issues, these like 92, I'd spend an extra 2-300 and get Forged pistons. Think of them as an insurance policy. These old cars do not have knock sensors or EFI, and it doesn't take much to kill a hyper piston..
Now if you are just going to casually cruise, get the hypers, and the milder cam, 390HP version, cause it makes 25lb more torque, and at a lower rpm.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 479
Likes: 93
From: Tennessee
I suggest a set of factory vortec heads from a mid to late 90's 350 for your 383. 906's or 062's can be had really cheap. The 906's on my 383 stroker were actually given to me. These heads are not aluminum but the quench and flow are probably the best factory cast iron heads GM has ever produced. The only drawback is you need a compatible intake manifold but World Products has a great one that will work with your factory hood.
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Drifting
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 1,305
Likes: 226
From: PA
In engineering terms, it's a system and all the components need to integrate properly. Or, said another way, a chain is only as strong as its weakest link.
Last edited by vince vette 2; Apr 2, 2020 at 12:42 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Agree...doing an ls swap for 4k I dunno...besides everyone and their brother is doing it..call local machine shops, someitmes they have projects that never got paid for, picked up. May be able to work something out.
Now if you had 10k, opens lots of doors, nice big block crates, GM ls crates etc.
dont need fancy stuff to make 400 just planning and getting it right the first time.
Now if you had 10k, opens lots of doors, nice big block crates, GM ls crates etc.
dont need fancy stuff to make 400 just planning and getting it right the first time.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,739
Likes: 630
From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
Agree...doing an ls swap for 4k I dunno...besides everyone and their brother is doing it..call local machine shops, someitmes they have projects that never got paid for, picked up. May be able to work something out.
Now if you had 10k, opens lots of doors, nice big block crates, GM ls crates etc.
dont need fancy stuff to make 400 just planning and getting it right the first time.
Now if you had 10k, opens lots of doors, nice big block crates, GM ls crates etc.
dont need fancy stuff to make 400 just planning and getting it right the first time.
A home-builder who plans carefully might even include EFI within that $4K.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 185
Likes: 113
My vote: Gen 1 SBC. The costs of converting to another engine will quickly eat that 4k, leaving you little left for the engine itself. That little stuff adds up quick.
*or the shop forced the issue.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 88
Likes: 45
From: Littleton Colorado
Any advice on going this route? I’ve done plenty of top end work and a couple complete engine swaps but I’ve never put one together. I’ve looked at some stroker kits but as far as piecing one together it seems I would get lost... If there’s a way I could come in under 4k with EFI... I’m all ears!
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 1,305
Likes: 226
From: PA
You may want to check out this article from super chevy Chevy 350 Engine Build - The Chump Change Challenge. Admittedly, this is a little over 10 years ago, but depending on how much work you can do yourself, and even assuming prices today have doubled, you might build a roller cam, aluminum head 400 hp 350 for $2,500. This won't be top end parts, nor a wholly rebuilt engine, but mostly mods on the up top of a decent running used 350 and some good used parts from ebay on the like.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,739
Likes: 630
From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
Any advice on going this route? I’ve done plenty of top end work and a couple complete engine swaps but I’ve never put one together. I’ve looked at some stroker kits but as far as piecing one together it seems I would get lost... If there’s a way I could come in under 4k with EFI... I’m all ears!
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,949
Likes: 4,507
From: Virginia
Any advice on going this route? I’ve done plenty of top end work and a couple complete engine swaps but I’ve never put one together. I’ve looked at some stroker kits but as far as piecing one together it seems I would get lost... If there’s a way I could come in under 4k with EFI... I’m all ears!
