I happen to have an extra 5.7 4 bolt main engine in one of my 1989 work trucks I have taken out of service. This engine is old, tired and has 289k miles on it. I was considering doing something stupid to it like building the hottest sleeper around to drop into an early C-4. Does anybody have any suggestions as to what I can do while still being able to fit the hood on the car. I want this car to look and somewhat sound like normal I was wondering about a super charger and what I would have to beef up in the lower end t make it handle the presure of the boost. Yes I plan on a total rebuild of the engine.

Keep in mind I am not rich and this is a couple of year prodject. I am trying to get an idea of what this will take and roughly the type of money I am looking at.

I have seen what some of you guys have under the hood and it has given me the itch. I don't want to do this to my 92 because I bought this Vette for fun, driving experience, style and most important... as a dependable driver. I beleive we should all have a prodject/fun car. I am just tired of driving in my vette with 144k miles and sitting at a light next to some PUNK who thinks he has a fast Mustang and me not wanting to push a stock 144k mile eng to show him his FORD sucks. I don't just want to race and win I want to totally embarass them, I want them to say WTF is in that thing, while it looks totally stock.

 

I have some suggestions...

1) The 4 bolt main is a great way to go!

2) Heads... there are tons of options.

3) Bottom end... 383 the bitch. I mean it. Stroke it! That block is stable, it's been heat cycled so much that it ain't changing anymore! Get that block decked, bored, whatevered!

4) Mini ram and super ram will fit without hood mods. It's the stealth ram that requires hood mods.

5) Blowers are cool, but they make noise. And a good ear can tell the diff between a blower and gear drive. Stick with a normally asperated motor, it will be cheaper, too.

6) 450+ hp is available for the spending... drool.

7) Get an 89 Vette as the project. Get one that is sad, but has the ZF6spd. Then you get the drive train that can take the pounding that engine can put out. I am sure you can find a highmileage 89 6spd for next to nothing. Even if the tranny and rear need service, you are so far ahead it ain't even funny, versus going automatic. The D44 alone is going for $2k!!!! Also, the 89 has the updated suspension and brakes, so mods are easier and more available.

Sounds like a fun project!

 

What is involved with a stroker.... isnt that a 400sb crank and a 350sb block and heads?

 

more or less.to get 383 ci bore the block .060 over then buy a crank that is made for this app. you can find them at jegs.com or summit racing. as far as the heads go they don't have an effect on cubic inches.but you can find a good selection at both places mentioned above.

 

Doesn't Vortec make a quite (more or less) blower? I think it is the YS trim. Just keep the compression ratio below 9.5.1. Blowers rock.

 

Bore .060 would requier 11:1 comp. pistons wouldn't it, and also is that still safe for the eng. poss running hot. I really want this to be a sleeper, Look and sound stock... Can I do that with this much compression?

 

No, a 383 is accomplished with a .030 overbore and a 3.75 inch/stroke crank.

 

there is no .060 over bore done on a SBC... well, you can, if you don't mind water and your pistons getting to know each other very well...

 

Love it-my 64 was a total sleeper, what a great feeling when you smokem, especially when they ask what's under the hood-oh, just a SB. How about building it and adding a turbo?

 

The latest craze,not crazy, is 391 or 396. Kits are available from several places in the $850.00 range. One of these with Vortech heads and the proper intake could be done for $3,000.00 or so.
If your wallet will take it,$700.00, a nice roller cam would make it really nice. Then all you would need is a second job to pay for the rubber you will leave on the road. BTW This set up would look almost stock.

 

That sounds pretty reasonable

 

you could give it to me 383