Engine Chosen..

[gbodytoys]

After a convo with my mechanic, he's saying for $3,500 ish rebuild on my current motor for 400hp-400tq rough estimate of course, all parts and labor. He wasn't against me getting a crate though and his full install cost/tune is $800.

He also advised that I step over to an overdrive trans since I do drive it to work some days in the summer on the highway, high revs...and a torque converter is a must.

 

[truracer20]

Yeah an overdrive would help a lot with the 3.73's. At 65 MPH you have to be turning about 3400 RPM.

 

[gbodytoys]

Yeah an overdrive would help a lot with the 3.73's. At 65 MPH you have to be turning about 3400 RPM.

I didn't realize how much that mattered until I started watching my Caddilac do about 2100 rpm @ 80 mph. I must have been revving way too high because I was going about 110 for 15 seconds.

 

[tc1959]

http://paceperformance.com/i-625541...s-factory-equipped-with-l31-350-r-engine.html I put one of these in my 78 El Camino it is bullet proof and has a ton of torque.

 

[565bbchevy]

You can try this place out as another option, they quite a few SBC with upgrade options
http://www.tristarengines.com/catal...with-dart-shp-performance-aluminum-heads.html

 

[jacobdavis1979]

Then thats where you get an olds engine 😉

No, that's when you get a Big Block Chevy. Well, you might need a little more in the budget.

I want in on this too LOL How bout a 6.0 LS? Not a torque monster like a Big Block Chevy but real easy to make 420+ Hp with lol

 

[jacobdavis1979]

Id like to throw my opinion in if thats ok. I saw a few people concerned with the warranty and reliability of a crate motor. I actully purchased a 260 hp Good Wrench crate motor 10 years ago as of this year. I bought it for my Malibu after i popped the 267. I drove it in the car as it was for 5 years almost if not daily without issue until the head gasket went out. Not the motors fault it was mine i let the water freeze in the winter by accident. After that i bought a somewhat aggressive cam. Roller setup as in lifters and rockers. I ported a set of higher compression heads. No i cant tell you the compression ratio i dont know for sure. Had it dynoed a few years ago it was 300+ hp at the rear wheels could be more only made a pull to 4500 rpm. This was all on the stock bottom end of the crate motor. That motor is still going strong in my Stepside so take it from me Good Wrench crate motors are pretty durable so im sure other GMPP motors are also. Any way my point of this post is my crate was reliable so im sure those are too.

 

[truracer20]

Did you ever make a decision?

 

[lilbowtie]

You need 330 HP to run in the 12.90's in a 3600 lb car.

 

[gbodytoys]

Did you ever make a decision?

My fault on the delay...I've been getting my pennies together. I finally narrowed it down to two different motors:

• ATK Vortec 351hp motor which I can get for $2,789.10 shipped
• L31 (12530283) Vortec/Roller Chevy Performance engine $1,827 shipped.

The ATK engine was on my original list, the L31 came after more research. Of course, the L31 isn't nearly at the hp/tq of the ATK engine, but it's also $1,000 cheaper. I do have a question for you guys though, if some reason I do get the L31, what's a good vortec intake to get with it, along with a cam? (model numbers please). Also, would the engine fit? I have a 2" cowl hood.