My 87 has 128000 rounds, and I for sure want to add some more power. So I am considering the usual question whether to rebuild or just buy a crate engine. Mostly the car is a daily driver, but I would like to autocross occasionally. I've seen several ads for crate engines that come complete with new super ram intakes and chips..cost around $4k to $5k. You can by a ZZ4 for around $3K and add a few tricks to get 350 to 375chp. Not sure anymore what a good engine shop would charge to rebuild the L98. What's the thinking around here?

 

If you're not building it yourself then it's hard to beat a good crate motor dollar for dollar. Custom high performance engine work is not cheap as you probably already know. Plus your car won't be down as long! I built my own and don't regret it because it gives me a lot of satisfaction every time I fire up a new motor whether it be mine or a customer's. But those weeks without my car were endless!

 

Go for a crate motor. Best.

 

You should build your own motor. You can't beat the satisfaction that you get doing it yourself and if you can do it during the off season you won't miss much driving.Plus if the #'s match I would keep it that way. You may not think it is a big deal now, but down the road it could be.

 

It is fun and rewarding to do it YOURSELF and YOUR way, but it probably won't save you much money over a crate engine. Unless you want/need something unique, a crate engine is the only sensible alternative. A custom, machine shop rebuild, is the most expensive way to go for a given level of performance. If downtime is an issue, pick up a used engine and build it while you're still driving. My Crossfire replacemant is sitting on the engine stand, waiting for more money, while I continue to daily drive, and weekly race my car.

RACE ON!!!

 

do you have a good machine shop??? if not go crate

 

If you can't do it yourself, it may be best to go with a crate. I spent a small fortune doing my motor and after checking the crate motors out, I spent the same if not more. Besides, There are alot of crate motors that would make quite a bit more power.

 

Most crate engines come with a warranty.

Of course, if you mod it...

 

A crate motor with a new SR manifold and a chip for $5k Where can you get for that? For its a damn good deal A new SR is over $1200 alone.

 

Well its been 3 and a half years now, and I am still satisfied with my ZZ4 engine swap. It is bascially an L98, that they no longer sell. If you can get one with out the water pump, distributor, and intake manifold for less, you will be ahead of the game. I went the extra mile, based on comments from the Pros here at the time. I added coated TPIS headers, 24 pound injectors, AFPR, SuperRam, that ran my total cost skyward. I also changed to a stronger torque convertor, and promptly blew another tranny 700R4. Since then I have sent my original block off to be rebuilt. It was only bored 30 over, But that means you need new pistons and rings. Then you find it is cheaper to buy new connecting rods than it is to reuse the original ones, due to the cost of getting them off the old pistons (plus they may have a problem). Then you need new freeze plugs, and cam bearings, and new rod bearings, and new crank bearings. You need to clean up the Crank journals 10 under. You will likely buy a new Cam. You can get away with reusing the roller lifters. You should replace the pushrods, then there is the cost of rebuilding valve jobbing the alum heads. Count on the low price of the machine shop to increase by 50% or more, for all the little extras. Gaskets, timing chain, Magnafluxing, plus so much more. In the end, I will have a better rebuilt block, but it will cost more than the crate engine. DC is a high cost machine shop area.

 

Like a lot of people have said, it depends on the availability of a GOOD machine shop. Over the years I have built around 15 sb's and I would redo the one now in my car if it needed it. With prudent shopping, and a realistic view fo how you will use the car, you can build a very good dependable engine for less than you think. Also, look thru the supplier ads in something like Super Chevy, you may be suprised at how cheap the parts like gaskets, bearings, etc. really are.