crate motor
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: south coast metro california
crate motor
Guys,
Any advice on a good crate motor to drop in my 1985? It can be a long block since from what im seeing with the zz4 and other motors it comes with an intake for carburation.
I had issues with this long ago. Whether it was dropping a zz4 or trying to do a 383 drop in from chevy (smog issues and plates) . I just want a simple drop in where i can put my top end on the motor.
Any part numbers , advice or people who know about this or can do this? Im in southern california?
The motor i have now runs good but its time. I dont need to go crazy but wanted between 330 - 400 hp without major modifications.
THanks
JP
Any advice on a good crate motor to drop in my 1985? It can be a long block since from what im seeing with the zz4 and other motors it comes with an intake for carburation.
I had issues with this long ago. Whether it was dropping a zz4 or trying to do a 383 drop in from chevy (smog issues and plates) . I just want a simple drop in where i can put my top end on the motor.
Any part numbers , advice or people who know about this or can do this? Im in southern california?
The motor i have now runs good but its time. I dont need to go crazy but wanted between 330 - 400 hp without major modifications.
THanks
JP
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 24,460
Likes: 7
From: sw Ohio
Just about every crate motor will require some work to just drop it in. You'll need to swap the fuel pump block off plate from your old motor to the new if it doesnt come with it. Same goes with all the accessories.
Other stuff you may want to get in the process: fuel injectors if you still have the originals, wiring harness (a pain but if your going that far, might as well eliminate potential wiring problems)
Make sure the sensors you have will work with the new engine otherwise you may need to take it to a machine shop or something.
'85s use a passenger side dipstick so that may be important to you on the new engines as well although I dont think its a requirement to have it on that side.
Other stuff you may want to get in the process: fuel injectors if you still have the originals, wiring harness (a pain but if your going that far, might as well eliminate potential wiring problems)
Make sure the sensors you have will work with the new engine otherwise you may need to take it to a machine shop or something.
'85s use a passenger side dipstick so that may be important to you on the new engines as well although I dont think its a requirement to have it on that side.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 8,838
Likes: 31
From: Australia
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,141
Likes: 76
From: Santa Maria, CA
I have been doing the same research for replacing the engine in my 85. I also have to pass CA smog. Lets face it, we're stuck with the TPI intake. Make the best of it. Whatever you do, the TPI will limit the RPM range to under 5500. So choose components that work well with the TPI. You can do some mods to the TPI that a smog station will not catch. Port the manifold and the plenum. Then replace the runners with CA legal enlarged runners from TPiS. Add a 52mm TB. Put the old cover plate on the TB and nobody will know the difference. You should net about 40Hp.
There are several good engine builders that will build a custom longblock. I just spoke to Matt at www.enginefactory.com this week. He offered a 383 stroker roller longblock for $5,300. That's more than I'm ready to spend but I was impressed that he was willing to work with me and Comp Cams and AFR to build an engine that would get as close as possible to 400Hp and pass smog. The roller cam is a good place to pick up power undetectable by the smog police.
The most difficult problem to address is the exhaust. Stock manifolds are crap and there are no legal headers available. If you are really after a 400Hp TPI, you have to have headers. The only solution I have been able to come up with is to remove the headers every 2 years for the smog test.
There are several good engine builders that will build a custom longblock. I just spoke to Matt at www.enginefactory.com this week. He offered a 383 stroker roller longblock for $5,300. That's more than I'm ready to spend but I was impressed that he was willing to work with me and Comp Cams and AFR to build an engine that would get as close as possible to 400Hp and pass smog. The roller cam is a good place to pick up power undetectable by the smog police.
The most difficult problem to address is the exhaust. Stock manifolds are crap and there are no legal headers available. If you are really after a 400Hp TPI, you have to have headers. The only solution I have been able to come up with is to remove the headers every 2 years for the smog test.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,785
Likes: 91
From: Leander TX
Two words. PACE PERFORMANCE!
http://paceperformance.com/index.asp...&ProdID=194848
They are the only people that I found that will sell the ZZ4 without all the junk we don't need. Best move I have ever done with the car. Do a search for my user name and ZZ4 or "engine" and you will see a lot of my progress and some of the things I ran into. If you just want to do a basic swap you can buy this engine swap over almost everything from your factory engine. The car runs great and has a nice sound too.
I have full length headers, big mouth base and runners, ported plenium, 52 TB, catback and a shelf tune from TPIS (not required but recommend a tune). Car passes emission and is very strong especially at about 2Krpm to about 5K rpms. Best money I have spent on the car... The base and runners probally were only worth 15hp if I'm lucky but my factory stuff was crap so I was just replacing it anyways.
Hope this helps....
http://paceperformance.com/index.asp...&ProdID=194848
They are the only people that I found that will sell the ZZ4 without all the junk we don't need. Best move I have ever done with the car. Do a search for my user name and ZZ4 or "engine" and you will see a lot of my progress and some of the things I ran into. If you just want to do a basic swap you can buy this engine swap over almost everything from your factory engine. The car runs great and has a nice sound too.
I have full length headers, big mouth base and runners, ported plenium, 52 TB, catback and a shelf tune from TPIS (not required but recommend a tune). Car passes emission and is very strong especially at about 2Krpm to about 5K rpms. Best money I have spent on the car... The base and runners probally were only worth 15hp if I'm lucky but my factory stuff was crap so I was just replacing it anyways.
Hope this helps....
