I've been wondering what to do regarding increasing horsepower and there seems to be so many options. I could build my L98 like Vic '89 did and possibly hit low to mid 12's. Or, I could get a 383 Stroker and everything required around it and hit low 12's or maybe even high 11's..

The L98 route doesn't seem to cost a real lot of money - but then my engine is still kinda old and who knows how long it would last. Certainly a lot less than it's supposed to...

The 383 Stroker route would cost me $15,000 plus installation (I believe the Lingenfelter alternative is $25,000 plus installation). Then I'd have to build everything around that motor.. That would probably cost about $7000 plus installation.

Now, I know I can start building the $7000 parts now with my L98 and have a 400 horsepower motor as is - THEN add the stroker for maybe 500 horsepower. But, I've spent about $25,000!

This leads me to my old 385 Fast Burn thread. If you need a refresher, click the following URL: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=276452. The URL which discusses the 385 Fast Burn crate motor is here: http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/perform...ATID=1099.html Apparently, with the right cam, you can have 425 horse power at the crank. It costs $4,000...

In that thread, people discussed having to swap out the intake and other parts in order to have things match up. While that would certainly cost some money, wouldn't it be much less (when all is said and done) than $25,000?

If anyone has any idea what it would cost to get the Fast Burn 385 crate motor running in an '87 Corvette, please give me an idea. To me, if this costs me $15,000 as opposed to having a 383 at $25,000 - I'll take the Fast Burn for $10k less... But personally, I have a feeling it may cost even less than $15,000 when all is said and done...


[Modified by Sal Collaziano, 6:05 PM 7/1/2002]

 

I think I have to start to make some 383 engines if you get $15000 for them.... :jester
I think Glock94 did his for well under $5000, we are doing one for this guy and we dont have that much in the forged crank, H-beam rods and SRP forged pistons, the you get good heads and cam.
I dont know what is wrong with your engine but it does not cost to much just to fix what is wrong and for the rest you can put in MODS

Jay

 

Well, everywhere I go I get the same price - about $15k for the engine, $7k in additional parts, plus labor... There's nothing wrong with the L98 I have - I'd just like to have the car updated to something fast by today's standards..

 

:yesnod: :yesnod: tranny and engine for $5k

 

Maybe I'm just not in the right state for this.. Everybody gets these things done for much cheaper than I hear...

 

Hey. Could it be that I'm asking for trouble by saying I'm looking for 450-500 horsepower? Is that much horse needing all that much more work?

 

Sal, contact Chris_NJ_C5 in the Northeast section. I'm looking to build the stroker with him. He's in Montclair NJ. He can definitely hook you up with a stroker much more reasonably than that. I'm going for mid 11s for a third of what you are quoting.

 

Thank you very much.. I understand that if I go the stroker route, I'll have to look deeper than I thought to actually have the work done. If you ask the wrong person, you'll pay too much. Then again, I'm not totally sold on getting a stroker. I hear about overheating issues and not passing emissions... Wouldn't a crate motor like the 385 Fast Burn be a better idea if it's my daily driver?

 

I need mine to be a daily driver with no problems. Stroker is not that tough. For example, look at http://www.moreperformanceinc.com for 396 strokers. A 383 can be done more cheaply. I want reliability, forged good stuff, and drivability. It has to pass emissions and be in the 11s. I looked at doug rippie and ligenfelter and callaway. They tack on $5000 for their names to start with. Try East Coast Supercharging, Cartech, etc. and you should do much better for the same thing, using the same brand parts except for the throttle body plate.

 

We never did hear how much POWER {Glock'94} made but we did hear how
low his oil pressure is!!!!!!!!!

Ray

 

Too bad you don't live out my way. Geeze, 15K plus 7K installation. :eek:

The fast burn 385 is good choice. Swapping the motor out isn't all that tough. Get a factory service manual and start reading. Then get a few tools, engine hoist (rent it), and a friend or two to help you replace the engine.

Tuning will take some extra effort but the process has been mastered by quite a few of us so its do able.

Be prepared to replace/rebuild a few things besides the engine. Its probably worth putting in a new clutch or rebuilt trans, a 2500+ rpm converter (if you have an auto), injectors, misc sensors, waterpump, power steering pump, alternator, plugs, wires and starter if the ones on the car have a lot of miles on them.

This would be a good project to start learning how to work on your car.

A crate motor will save you from all of the things that can go wrong if you build your own engine.

 

Most performance engines I have seen can be had for around 3-4K + installation. BUT they are a bit under 4-500HP. To tell the truth, IF you put 4-500HP in your car, you will need a LOT more stuff fixed.. New tranny, rear end, fuel pump, who knows what else.. I mean for $5000 you can buy an LS1 engine outright.. 15K sounds waaaaaaay overpriced. IMO :rolleyes:

 

i agree 15 thousand+ dollars sounds WAY high. Hell for $11k you can get a crate Viper engine, 450hp/490tq. If I were you I'd look into the Fast Burn :yesnod:

 

Wy not get the GM 383 part# 12497317 or the short block version part# 12498332 I think the short block with AFR 190's a better cam and a stealth ram would get you in the low 12's. I don't know how much the short block is but the long block is under $4000.
Dave
:flag

 

Hey Sal,
$15k for the engine is insane. My dream engine is less than that http://www.moreperformanceinc.com/new_page_6.htm

When you're getting the quotes are you detailing the internals? Maybe you're putting in very expensive guts. Not sure but the prices are out of line.

Jim

 

Why not just start out with a Head, intake and cam change since the bottom end is still good and then you can do it when it goes.

Jay

PS I would do headers too

 

you should go with the 383!!! check out http://www.allchevyengines.com i got mine there for around $4000.00 & only have about $7000.00 in it now with all the extras (intake,carb,7qt oil pan,starter,fuel press reg, ect) i needed. good luck! :cheers:

 

I'm in the same boat Sal. I'm in Jersey City and came across the same issues. The motor(s) are cheap(if you can figure out what you want) then the installation is through the nose. I recently did my exhaust at the mienkie shop in North Arlington NJ(which they did a GREAT JOB). So I spoke to them and they will do anything/everything to cars(but rebuild trannies). I asked them how much re-place my motor if I had the new engine. They said that it would be $50 per hour which is not that bad.

Opel, I like the idea of GM 383. it's blue printed and balance(and in a box). A set of 190 AFR's and HOTCAM kit(some new accessories) and where good to go. 425+ HP I'd figure. :cool: :cool:


[Modified by BluePastU, 7:54 PM 7/2/2002]

 

yoslambo1@cs.com, you have mail.
thanks

:cheers:

 

I want it!! :eek: