I have an 85 with 43,000 miles on it. The question is should i take the original matching numbers engine out (to have an "original car" for the future), or should i just upgrade this engine? I am not happy with the original engines performance, it runs fine but there is not enough "get up and go" to it. I have made some minor mods and guess i am running at about 250hp. I realistically want 375+ hp and have seen some crate engines that can get me close to or better than that for around $6,000. Is the 85 engine capable of producing and handling that much hp?
thanks, paul

 

I'll take a stab at this one. Forget about that "numbers matching" thing. From the small amount that I know there is no such thing on an '85. I think the block has a date code on it that would be somewhat close to the date of vehicle manufacture. So it isn't hard to locate a block that would go in and everybody would think it was the original engine. Then of coarse you are going to get all kinds of people stirred up about whether an '85 will ever have any "collector" value. My vote would be for you to pull the engine and take it to a good local machine shop/engine builder and have it built up. You can have it built to whatever h/p you want. $6000 is going to be a little tight for everything including a new intake system (mini ram, LT1 conversion, Super ram, Holley digital injection, etc...) but you may get close. Talk to the builder and see what he can do for the engine. Then of coarse remember that you are going to want a new bigger aluminum radiator, what tranny do you have? (assuming the 700r4 you will need to budget for a stout rebuild of that, maybe a couple rebuilds depending how much h/p you get, or convert to a th400/Gear Vendors or a ZF6), new rear end if you have the Dana 36, bigger brakes (if you go faster you need to be able to stop), newer ecm might be nice, roll bar, harnesses, fire supression, etc.... No, wait, better idea here, sell the car and buy a C5 before it's too late. Okay everybody chime in.

 

For $6000 I buy another slow 85-8x Vette. Then I'll have two slow vette instead of spending $6000 on a current one and not even sure it will be as fast as you want.
I just finish rebuild my 88 engine with nothing special like you're thinking about and it cost me about that much or more this includes new radiator, new hoses, sensors, alternator, starter, battery, new heads, new pistons, rings, GS brake caliper. Reused cam, crank, piston rods, valve lifters. Haven't rebuild transmission yet. All this cost is only for parts and machine shop charge. I took the engine out, took it apart, put it back together, drop it back in the car myself so there are minimal labor cost. I don't want to count the receipts yet, I would have a heart attack if I add it all up. All the little things that needed from the auto parts store add up to a huge chuck too.



[Modified by VQT88Vette, 10:57 AM 1/27/2003]

 

I rebuilt mine for about $800 with rebuilt heads ( including all new valves and springs), new pistons, oil pump , timing set,new cam and all new bearings machine included you can buy a 383 stroker long block with the iron eagle heads for less than $3000 and it pushes about the HP numbers you are looking for. You will have to upgrade your induction system and rear end to handle the new HP but you can get it done for $6000 as far as maching # I wouldn't wory about it.



[Modified by ejfagala, 4:12 PM 1/27/2003]

 

Luck38,
I too, used to be concerned about 'matching numbers', but since 1995, no more.
I also thought of purchasing a 'crate motor' or one from Summit, for example.
The more I thought about it, the more I reasoned, that I'd really prefer re-building my original '86 Vette motor.

My reasoning was: I wanted to have fun with the mods, by going through the thought process of what parts I wanted, to bring my engine back to life.

I didn't want an engine already decided for me. If I did it this way, I'd have my stock '86 engine taking up garage space, just waiting for the day that I'd end up selling it, just to get rid of it.

That being said...it's been fun building my own engine over the years, and it has taken years. I try to visualize what any parts mod is going to do for me at the present, and then try to determine how this latest part mod will relate to the next planned mod.

I limit myself to $1500.00 a year for all parts, and labor, if required. Sure, it's a challenge to do it this way, but it serves me well, by limiting my spending...
just to spend. Secondly, I make myself think about "how do I expect this mod to work for me today, and in the future...when I do the next mod."

It's to the point where I really have come to enjoy the motor that I'm presently running. You can see by my signature, that it's not the most powerful, but it is a motor that allows me to compete with nearly everyone.

Since my motor work is done, my next mods will be a 4:10 gear, and in a year or so, a 6 speed. A little bit at a time, works for me.

Good Luck with your decision.

 

Hey I am doing what you want to do right now. I bought a 400 SB and am building a 406 motor and putting 85 block on an engine stand. I will use some parts from it like the distributor, starter and all sensors and cables. The rest will be new or some things like the Mini Ram, Hooker 2151 headers (still in the box) and the BBK 58MM TB I bought from the web used. I am not trying to build drag car just something with more HP & TQ.

You have to decide two or three things, what is your time frame, what is your goal and how much do you want to spend? I am sure you don’t want to be tinkering with it all the time either once the new engine is in. Also remember that the rule of thumb is 1.0 – 1.2 HP per cubic inch rated at the flywheel. Will you pull the motor or do you want it done turnkey (more money)?

If 375 HP is your goal and you have $6000, buy a 383-crate motor from
http://www.strokermotor.com/377LB.htm
http://www.speedomotive.com

or Diabolical Dave here on the forum and be done with it. Put your 85 motor on a stand in a motor bag and keep it for the future. Then if you find a cheap fixer upper in the future you’ve got a base motor already.

$6000 is ample for a 355 build with your block,,, or a 383 using your stock ported plenum, ASM runners and an ACCELL base and it will look stock. You can use the starter distributor etc from your 85.

If you want to pick the parts and build your own motor, (depending on your level of knowledge) then bone up on EFI’s, and read and study. I knew a lot about the old muscle cars, GTO’s, 442’s, GTX’s etc but EFI is quite different.

I begun my project for the 406 back in September and all I have bought too date as I said are the 400 std engine block, 400 std crank, Hooker headers, BBK-TB and MINIRAM. The most important part which are the heads and cam are pretty close to being decided upon and once that is done, then March should be the target date for my stock 85 motor to be pulled and the new motor to go in.

Good Luck!





[Modified by ld85, 7:02 AM 1/28/2003]

 

What's a 85 matching numbers Vette worth ?

I would purchase a new 400 block and build that. This way you will not have much down time with your Vette.

Vic

 

actually if your debating throwing around 6,000 you could sell a 43k mile 1985 car for $8,000 fairly quickly i'd think, put 6,000 with it and you have $14,000, nice 92-94 cars can be had in this price range. you get things like 6spds, LT1s, better interiors, upgraded everything etc. you also can look at cars that have already been done, i know when i go to sell mine i'll probably only get 15k for it & i have tons in the stereo, engine, drivetrain, shocks, brakes...basically the whole car. consider all your options first.

 

:iagree:

 

Thanks everyone, I think like the idea of buying a new block and building it myself, that way i will still be able to drive the car, but wait an LT1 sounds great, maybe I'll sell it and use my $6,000 and the $ towards an LT1, or maybe I'll put the $6,000 into my engine - oh the confusion. But really, i know i have a solid car and i know its history - so i will probably hold onto it and build a new block. Thanks for everyones input.
Paul

 

welcome, make sure you find a quality machine shop to do the work & build the engine as a package. everything from what piston you choose to what cam you want all has to factor in. match the entire combo to your driving habits and goals.

 

check out http://www.allchevyengines.com thats where i got my engine! they will let you change anything you dont like on thier setups! :cheers:

 

If you want reliability of a factory GM motor with a boost in performance get the latest ZZ4 crate and drop a TPIS mini ram on it. On the other hand if you want big power, 85 I believe is still a one piece rear main seal making a 406 an easy swap.

http://www.sdpc2000.com and http://www.sallee-chevrolet.com both have a great selection of crate motors.

The LT1 cars are a great buy now. But if you have solid problem free 85 do you want to step into another 10 year old used car. My 93 was going great with almost 110k miles. Also 90-91 ZR1s can be found under $20k :crazy: Oh the decisions......I know just decided to go with a C5


[Modified by 93Polo, 10:24 PM 1/28/2003]