82 L83 Engine Diagnostics
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 2,817
Likes: 1,635
From: Poplar Bluff MO
This is how advice from a forum works...
Next to go with the performance motor you will be talked into replacing the weak rear gears along with the advice to strengthen or replace your trans with something more race oriented because folks reflect their own goals and motivations and not the ones you have mentioned.... Just a public service reminder this is supposed to be a cruiser for driving to the malt shop. Its so easy to get carried away when you got this crew cheering you on with advice and how to spend your money. Ask me how I know lol I started down a VERY similar path and 14 years later I have a car with 2 different replacement engines (just because bigger is better right?) , EFI,fuel system, trans, rear end, suspension, steering, interior, paint, wheels, and some of the wiring.... The upgrade become addictive and can be fun. Just don't fall into the trap some do here and become so obsessed and overwhelmed with them that the car ends up torn apart in your garage for years taking up space instead of being driven. we all see the abandoned project cars for sale. Oh and don't think you'll ever get this investment back!
Next to go with the performance motor you will be talked into replacing the weak rear gears along with the advice to strengthen or replace your trans with something more race oriented because folks reflect their own goals and motivations and not the ones you have mentioned.... Just a public service reminder this is supposed to be a cruiser for driving to the malt shop. Its so easy to get carried away when you got this crew cheering you on with advice and how to spend your money. Ask me how I know lol I started down a VERY similar path and 14 years later I have a car with 2 different replacement engines (just because bigger is better right?) , EFI,fuel system, trans, rear end, suspension, steering, interior, paint, wheels, and some of the wiring.... The upgrade become addictive and can be fun. Just don't fall into the trap some do here and become so obsessed and overwhelmed with them that the car ends up torn apart in your garage for years taking up space instead of being driven. we all see the abandoned project cars for sale. Oh and don't think you'll ever get this investment back!
My plan is to drop the engine in, bolt up the stock exhaust system and go get an alignment. Headers and other stuff can wait for a while.
JT
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 2,817
Likes: 1,635
From: Poplar Bluff MO
Old Pro Solo Guy
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 8,094
Likes: 4,449
From: Marlton NJ
That's my point too, I've had this car in the shop for a year and want to drive it sooner not later. The suspension and brakes and steering are all new so I feel it's safe for my wife to drive. The engine choice was to not throw good money into a bad engine. I only went with the 390 HP version because the 341 HP is 60 days out and spring is close. My wife asked a few times how much money I had in the car and I said I don't want to know. It's a hobby for me and I'll never expect to get a ROI it just don't happen. While I spent a few weeks removing the ECM and wiring and cleaning up the wiring mess it was worth it to me to get the dash gauges and lights working. The Blueprint should be here next week so I have a bit of time to clean up and fix some things in the engine compartment before it arrives.
My plan is to drop the engine in, bolt up the stock exhaust system and go get an alignment. Headers and other stuff can wait for a while.
JT
My plan is to drop the engine in, bolt up the stock exhaust system and go get an alignment. Headers and other stuff can wait for a while.
JT
Congrats.
Some guys go to the bar every night, some chase a football team all across the country and go to every game.
Me...I play with cars!
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2025
Posts: 1,722
Likes: 598
BPE's a reasonable choice. 
But, if it were my time-expenses-motor-project (None are), It's a certainty I wouldn't have chosen BPE/Marshall/ATK/Vege etc (for reasons I've often offered).
I would have likely sourced a good, viable CORE L31 (OE roller, roller-ready) as next platform. 638 block also good candidate. Would have had local auto machine shop fit it for new pistons, balance RA, and any other machining to prep it for my work. It's also likely I wouldn't have exceeded $3500 for a 400+ HP & TQ long block with modern pistons + ringpak.+ fastburn chambers + billet steel roller cam.
Regardless; with any luck, seems JT should soon have a motor that'll please him throughout his lifetime.
But, if it were my time-expenses-motor-project (None are), It's a certainty I wouldn't have chosen BPE/Marshall/ATK/Vege etc (for reasons I've often offered).I would have likely sourced a good, viable CORE L31 (OE roller, roller-ready) as next platform. 638 block also good candidate. Would have had local auto machine shop fit it for new pistons, balance RA, and any other machining to prep it for my work. It's also likely I wouldn't have exceeded $3500 for a 400+ HP & TQ long block with modern pistons + ringpak.+ fastburn chambers + billet steel roller cam.
Regardless; with any luck, seems JT should soon have a motor that'll please him throughout his lifetime.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 2,817
Likes: 1,635
From: Poplar Bluff MO
BPE's a reasonable choice. But, if it were my time-expenses-motor-project (None are), It's a certainty I wouldn't have chosen BPE/Marshall/ATK/Vege etc (for reasons I've often offered).
I would have likely sourced a good, viable CORE L31 (OE roller, roller-ready) as next platform. 638 block also good candidate. Would have had local auto machine shop fit it for new pistons, balance RA, and any other machining to prep it for my work. It's also likely I wouldn't have exceeded $3500 for a 400+ HP & TQ long block with modern pistons + ringpak.+ fastburn chambers + billet steel roller cam.
Regardless; with any luck, seems JT should soon have a motor that'll please him throughout his lifetime.
But, if it were my time-expenses-motor-project (None are), It's a certainty I wouldn't have chosen BPE/Marshall/ATK/Vege etc (for reasons I've often offered).I would have likely sourced a good, viable CORE L31 (OE roller, roller-ready) as next platform. 638 block also good candidate. Would have had local auto machine shop fit it for new pistons, balance RA, and any other machining to prep it for my work. It's also likely I wouldn't have exceeded $3500 for a 400+ HP & TQ long block with modern pistons + ringpak.+ fastburn chambers + billet steel roller cam.
Regardless; with any luck, seems JT should soon have a motor that'll please him throughout his lifetime.
I really do appreciate all the information you shared with me and everyone else that reads here. Your knowledge about these SBC's is amazing and I've learned so much in the last year about C3's and SBC's.
JT
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 2,274
Likes: 1,321
From: Fleming Island, FL
Summit Racing has all of 341HP dress engines ready to ship on Monday. I was waiting months for my 408 from blueprint. I finally canceled the order with Blueprint and order it from Summit. Keep in mind the 390HP engine may not be happy with your 2.72 or 2.87 gearing.
Last edited by Fly skids up!; Feb 21, 2026 at 04:20 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 2,274
Likes: 1,321
From: Fleming Island, FL
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 2,817
Likes: 1,635
From: Poplar Bluff MO
Summit Racing has all of 341HP dress engines ready to ship on Monday. I was waiting months for my 408 from blueprint. I finally canceled the order with Blueprint and order it from Summit. Keep in mind the 390HP engine may not be happy with your 2.72 or 2.87 gearing.
JT
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Old Pro Solo Guy
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 8,094
Likes: 4,449
From: Marlton NJ
Summit Racing has all of 341HP dress engines ready to ship on Monday. I was waiting months for my 408 from blueprint. I finally canceled the order with Blueprint and order it from Summit. Keep in mind the 390HP engine may not be happy with your 2.72 or 2.87 gearing.
The 220/224 dur cam in the 390HP one would like more gear, just like GM did with the very similar L46 cam engines.
The 202/210 dur cam in the 341 HP will tolerate highway gears much better.
The difference is pretty major. It's worth a phone call.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 2,274
Likes: 1,321
From: Fleming Island, FL
You did the right thing. And while the 341HP ain't the fastest thing around it's a very easy engine to live with, maybe a little too easy. I love mine and it's a awesome cruiser.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 2,817
Likes: 1,635
From: Poplar Bluff MO
I already have a hot rod guy that wants to buy the old 350... I hope he comes through he builds some nice classic cars and I'd like to pick his brain a bit.
JT
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 2,817
Likes: 1,635
From: Poplar Bluff MO
JT