At the end of this year I'm planning on pulling out my tired mixed matched engine and replacing it with something better.........but money is tight.

I have 2 options:

Option #1:
Ken Smith (L98Terror) replaced his engine about a month back and has offered me to buy his old engine minus the intake (A Superram).
This 350 motor was from his 91 Corvette and has a little over 100k miles on it. This motor is a consistent mid 12 second engine with Aluminum #113 Ported heads, ZZ9 Cam, Roller Rockers, ect, for what ever reason it's a freak.

Said and done I'm looking at around $2,500. 1,000 for the engine (damn good deal), another thousand for the work on it (Bearing/Rings & Honing) and around $500 for misc parts.
As for the intake I was thinking of using the one off my existing motor, a Ported base/Plenum & AS&M Runners.

I will also need a set of long tube headers, another $700.00 for the Hookers with Y-Pipe.

Total approx: $3,200.00

Option #2
Just buy a new crate motor, ZZ4.
http://www.sdpc2000.com/cart.asp?act...id=120&pid=117

Minus the intake of course, I subtracted $200 (again I'd use my Intake).
I would still need headers so add another $700.00 to it.

Total approx $4200.00 + shipping. I would shop around more to find the best deal I can on this engine, but the ZZ4 would be my choice.


Any thoughts?


P.S. My Corvette is a non roller block '86. :(








[Modified by Mr. Magoo, 7:55 AM 7/16/2003]

 

Why not just buy a ZZ4 shortblock/rotating assembly? You can get those for under $1500, have your d-ports ported and ad larger valves, add your intake and headers, and you still should be WELL under $3K.. Should be done a lot faster too.,.,

 

I don't own a set of D-Ports, Ken offered to sell me his which are ported along with his ZZ9 Cam for $1000.00. He was going to give me his old engine.......for free, but it needs some work.
The heads on my Vette are.......*gulp* 305 Iron heads. The **** hole owner that I bought my vette from swapped the existing aluminum heads and replaced them with these garbage heads without me knowing. But that was 8 years ago and I'm just chalking that one up as a lesson learned. :(

The short block ZZ4 sounds like a good option though. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm decisions??

 

Mark,
I'd go with the ZZ4 shortblock, basically because of the Warranty and craftsmanship. BUUT..you don't have #113 OR #128 heads...so...if you bought that shortblock, you'd still need heads...just get some Pro Topline's :D
EDIT:
WAAAM!
http://sdpc2000.com/cart.asp?action=...id=514&pid=622


[Modified by TIMSPEED, 7:11 AM 7/16/2003]

 

Option #3: Save your money and buy a newer C4 ala GrandSport like you've talked about. :yesnod:

 

I think id take L98Terrors engine and then have it freshened, but it is a hard choice. He is giving you a deal.

 

:crazy:

 

Hmmmmm now that I think of it in the end this option might be very expensive.


Shortblock= $2000.00
Ken's Heads/Cam= $1,000
Headers= $700.00
Misc parts= ? (Water Pump, Dist, Timing, ect) A lot of extra money and time for assembly.

 

Fine. But my cars not get any faster. I'll leave my cadillac to destroy you!
:p: :D

 

Mervs your ruining any integrity this thread might have talking that smack. Leave the Cadillac sled to the 100 year old Q-tips in sunny Florida and buy a real car. :jester

 

The V will ownez you Magoo! :hat

 

Hey dude,
I would consider buying the used engine and have it freshened up.
A new ZZ4 engine will not have ported heads but stock L98 heads.I do know the ZZ4 engine has beefier or stronger internal parts,but still,think of it as a L98 motor with a ZZ4 cam and carb intake,which is why it makes 355 HP.Put a TPI on there and it will choke back some,even with large tubes and ported intake.Buy the ZZ4 then get the heads done will be alot more money.

With the used motor,you already know it runs good and is a bit cheaper and wont cost too much to make it a bit stronger or freshen up.The ZZ4 short block is a good choice but youll still need better heads,cam and misc parts.

Just my 2 cents.

:)

 

Take Ken's engine....

Forged pistons
Forged connecting rods
Piston Rings
Oil Pump
Bearings
Headers

..spray it till it dies. :reddevil You can get KILLER deals usually for rods/pistons on eBay.

 

Yes, ZZ4 doesn't have forged pistons and it only makes about 250hp with stock TPI setup (from crank ie 210hp RWHP). It is basicly a stock '90 Vette engine. Properly updated it will end up quite expensive and in the end you have lots of parts you don't need. The warranty is good but I think GM will not honor it if you mod the engine.

I would go with the other option you listed. It has already most of the expensive work done (research, porting and testing) and you only need to freshen it up.

Toni


[Modified by ToniH, 11:07 AM 7/17/2003]

 

I guess new pistons isn't a bad idea if I go with Ken's motor, after all they have to come out anyway right??
What Forged pistons & Forged connecting rods would you recommend? I do plan on spraying the crap out of this motor so I will need a strong bottom end.

 

:thumbs:

definetly buy the used motor and rebuild it. Definetly the best deal going that you have listed.