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Sep 26, 2009 | 08:36 PM

Rodzilla71

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New to Chevy stuff

I was always a Mopar guy back in my teens and twenties...now aproaching 40 and I bought an '84 C4 with a crossfire that I'm going to change out this winter for a carburated 350 or 383. Being that I dont know shat about chevys I dont know what is interchangeable between newer and older small blocks etc, is there a site that someone can point me too that will point out everything that I need to know? I want to build a 300HP (maybe more) motor with a 4 bolt main block, possibly aftermarket heads or track down decent ones that came from the factory. Not cammed up to much but noticeable. Basically something budget minded. The car needs paint, exhaust, carpet and seat covers also, so I already will have a bunch of money going in that direction. And no,,,I dont want to keep the crossfire, I prefer to keep it simple even if I lose on fuel economy etc.

Sep 26, 2009 | 09:17 PM

pologreen1

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if you only want 300 hp or more you can buy and port an X ram intake for the crossfire, and some exhaust from the block back, what ever.
gears also help alot.

the 84 is one of the hardest to build on because it is very restricted. I would think if youchange out to carb 383 you could be pulling 500 hp.
there are a couple of 84's on here that are built, those guys will help you more.

welcome BTW

Sep 26, 2009 | 09:18 PM

rodj

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Joined: Aug 2000

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From: Australia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrol...l-block_engine

Chevy kept it simple.
Roughly ;all SBC are the same size extenally.283 -400 All external parts interchange across the years exp LT1.
The GenII LT1 has reverse coolant flow and heads that only work on a LT1 even though they will bolt on to earlier blocks.Only cars got the LT1 ; the trucks continued with the regular engine
Misc internal changes across the years ; roller cams in '87 , etc

For a ground up build up look for a '96-00 Vortec truck block.Has roller cam and commonly 4 bolt mains.Common and cheap

Last edited by rodj; Sep 26, 2009 at 09:22 PM.

Sep 27, 2009 | 12:01 AM

Rodzilla71

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I should clarify I'm not going to build up the current motor,,,mostly because it runs good now with only 70k miles and i can also still drive it while building up a new motor. I only want 350-400hp max cause I definately dont want to change out rest of drive train to handle more power. It wont see any track time and I will only abuse it against the very occassional ricer. Thanks for any input so far guys.

Sep 27, 2009 | 12:36 AM

rodj

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From: Australia

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rodzilla71

I should clarify I'm not going to build up the current motor,. I only want 350-400hp max c

350hp is easy doable with a carb
The ZZ4 crate engine is the '89 alum head 250Hp EFI Vette engine with a bigger cam and a carb intake. Makes 355Hp / 400+ ft/lb out of the box.Very popular engine for rod swaps; muscle car idle and good manners

A rebuilt Vortec roller cam block ( which is used in the ZZ4) and a set of $1000 TFS 195 heads should get you well on the way to your goals
If doing a full rebuild then it is only $250 extra to build a 383 (need stroker crank) easy 400Hp territory

Sep 27, 2009 | 05:38 AM

Rodzilla71

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Here's a silly question,,maybe. Does anyone make aftermarket intakes etc for the LSx motors to go carburated? But they are distributerless as well aren't they, so you cant get away from all the electronics stuff? I know that the heads etc are awesome for those engines, but no way of making them carbed? Correct me if i'm wrong. Thx