What engine
Racer
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 313
Likes: 20
Cheapest way for a factory crate motor that would meet your original HP and keep TPI would be an l31 crate motor and an SDPC Vortec to TPI intake. Chevy has a 250 rebate now so you could probably get out the door for less than 2500 on the two items. That's not bad for a brand new motor that will run for 200k miles if you take care of it. I love the LS motor conversions that guys around here are doing....and the sky is the limit if you got the bucks, lots of cool crate motors to choose from.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,227
Likes: 697
From: Clifton Park, NY ............Clearwater, FL ... 85 Original Owner
Cheapest way for a factory crate motor that would meet your original HP and keep TPI would be an l31 crate motor and an SDPC Vortec to TPI intake. Chevy has a 250 rebate now so you could probably get out the door for less than 2500 on the two items. That's not bad for a brand new motor that will run for 200k miles if you take care of it. I love the LS motor conversions that guys around here are doing....and the sky is the limit if you got the bucks, lots of cool crate motors to choose from.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,426
Likes: 3,277
From: Hartford WI
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 33
Likes: 2
From: Celina Texas
The car is in great original condition other than the engine. Not looking to build a race car but would like a little performance.
Looking for something I can take on a Sunday or a car show and a third vehicle if one of ours is in the shop.
As for as the bank statement goes, looking at $10-15k. The lower the better but I want quality as I don't see this car leaving our possession for a while.
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Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,426
Likes: 3,277
From: Hartford WI
If it was my decision I would sell the 90 as is and go buy a mid 2000 model, but its not my decision. The car has more sentimental value to my wife than dollar value to me. So instead of grabbing the bull by the horns, I am turning and retreating. Happy wife, happy life
The car is in great original condition other than the engine. Not looking to build a race car but would like a little performance.
Looking for something I can take on a Sunday or a car show and a third vehicle if one of ours is in the shop.
As for as the bank statement goes, looking at $10-15k. The lower the better but I want quality as I don't see this car leaving our possession for a while.
The car is in great original condition other than the engine. Not looking to build a race car but would like a little performance.
Looking for something I can take on a Sunday or a car show and a third vehicle if one of ours is in the shop.
As for as the bank statement goes, looking at $10-15k. The lower the better but I want quality as I don't see this car leaving our possession for a while.
If you are going to keep the car, get a D44 and a 383 and a beefed up 700R4. $15K should be reasonably comfortable since you will need to get the intakes and headers for the motor section. I wouldn't use the stock intake or exhaust manifold so LT headers if you can and whatever combination the builder recommends.
Edit: Do you have a dyno tuner nearby that will tune it for you or are you willing to travel? If neither, your option is to accept a "guess a tune" where you tell them what mods you have and they guess what you need. This is a C4 and there are less and less people wanting to tune it. Good thing is that once tuned, unless you make major mods, you won't need to tune again for a LONG while.
Last edited by aklim; Dec 20, 2017 at 11:35 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 20,974
Likes: 261
632ci or LS7 built. Build for future boost. JMO
With HP comes all upgrades imaginable and then some. Enjoy the ride.
Or stay around 400hp and your trans might last a little while, but if you go 450-500 things start acting different.
With your budget for your build... I had my '90 built essentially for the same reasons by a member here with as many used parts as possible, but most new. Cheap labor, and tuning. Build is over 20k.
Still a '90, still auto, don't care about show car looks, but it can be fun.
With HP comes all upgrades imaginable and then some. Enjoy the ride.
Or stay around 400hp and your trans might last a little while, but if you go 450-500 things start acting different.
With your budget for your build... I had my '90 built essentially for the same reasons by a member here with as many used parts as possible, but most new. Cheap labor, and tuning. Build is over 20k.
Still a '90, still auto, don't care about show car looks, but it can be fun.
Last edited by pologreen1; Dec 20, 2017 at 01:33 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,426
Likes: 3,277
From: Hartford WI
IDK which is better. Drive the old trans till it breaks with that amount of power or just toss it today and get it rebuilt while the motor is out.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 20,974
Likes: 261
LPE rated their motor for 430 HP. I only had the AFR heads and intakes were NOT ported so conservatively, maybe 400. Before I left Decatur, Lingenfelter personally assured me the trans wouldn't live for a year even when it was freshly rebuilt. 9 months with me doing the "Granny Driving" thing. FYI.
IDK which is better. Drive the old trans till it breaks with that amount of power or just toss it today and get it rebuilt while the motor is out.
IDK which is better. Drive the old trans till it breaks with that amount of power or just toss it today and get it rebuilt while the motor is out.
My trans is built to handle like 750+ so just barely enough for my motor, but now I can 't spray the 500shot it will take or boost it with out knowing the trans sill leave me stranded.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 762
Likes: 94
From: Airdrie Alberta
My vote is for the new LT4 engine and Tremec transmission. Wow would that be a fun car, post pictures.
http://www.chevrolet.com/performance...s/lt4-wet-sump
I bet if you tweak the engine in places there a 1000HP capable engine, thats streetable. Lots of tweaked C6 LS9 making big power on youtube.
Its crazy whats awesome these days. Let us know what you pick?
I'm hoping santa gives me a LS3 engine for Christmas.
http://www.chevrolet.com/performance...s/lt4-wet-sump
I bet if you tweak the engine in places there a 1000HP capable engine, thats streetable. Lots of tweaked C6 LS9 making big power on youtube.
Its crazy whats awesome these days. Let us know what you pick?
I'm hoping santa gives me a LS3 engine for Christmas.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 7,706
Likes: 485
From: Everett WA
C4 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Well I would agree BUT ... in addition to the $15K for the engine & trans how much (ball park) is a shop (who will stand by their work) going to charge to take the old engine & trans out and then turnkey install this new one?
Wait one.... are you going to need a newer exhaust system than is currently on the 1990? Radiator hoses same length as the old engine?
Not all of us that own corvettes are mechanics. Some of us have to depend on professional installation, particularly if we want to drive "Briskly" after the install.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 313
Likes: 20
Well I would agree BUT ... in addition to the $15K for the engine & trans how much (ball park) is a shop (who will stand by their work) going to charge to take the old engine & trans out and then turnkey install this new one?
Wait one.... are you going to need a newer exhaust system than is currently on the 1990? Radiator hoses same length as the old engine?
Not all of us that own corvettes are mechanics. Some of us have to depend on professional installation, particularly if we want to drive "Briskly" after the install.
Wait one.... are you going to need a newer exhaust system than is currently on the 1990? Radiator hoses same length as the old engine?
Not all of us that own corvettes are mechanics. Some of us have to depend on professional installation, particularly if we want to drive "Briskly" after the install.
? That would be a sweet machine with this drive train...........
This one a little bit cheaper.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,426
Likes: 3,277
From: Hartford WI
Comes down to money. If the motor is out and a build is happening I am always going to upgrade.
My trans is built to handle like 750+ so just barely enough for my motor, but now I can 't spray the 500shot it will take or boost it with out knowing the trans sill leave me stranded.
My trans is built to handle like 750+ so just barely enough for my motor, but now I can 't spray the 500shot it will take or boost it with out knowing the trans sill leave me stranded.
So? That is why we have Uber.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 4,564
Likes: 1,676
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,426
Likes: 3,277
From: Hartford WI
You don't bill this as a "my" car thing. This is an "our car" thing which makes the bill easier to swallow. My wife doesn't need 500HP to go to the grocery store but WE need it. It is OUR car although I drive it mostly and she sits in it. So if I brought a hottie home to play with, she will be "OUR" plaything and I'd be willing to share. See how that works? Don't sound selfish. Share. Especially the bill.