Engine Rebuild For Performance.

[Gwarren79]

Heres a 283 and a set of headers for $175

Then you could build a 350 and swap the engines.

I would look for a set of 305 heads and swap them onto this motor

SBC 283 engine and set of headers - auto parts - by owner - vehicle...

283 Sbc came out of a 68 Chevy El Camino and a set of header also may have chrome valve covers for...

fortcollins.craigslist.org

 

[kornball426]

The problem with pushing a turbo Buick engine is the OP doesn't even have a Buick engine to start with.

GM offered 2 fundamentally different 3.8 engines in the early 80s, one Chevy, one Buick. The Chevy was a 229 ci and had basically nothing in common with the Buick a 231 ci.

OP said 229 several times over. So while a Buick 3.8 can be a potent motor, you need to be aware everything down to the frame side motor mounts from that existing drive train would need to be ripped out for the dumpster to use any Buick 3.8 or 4.1... radiator, a/c from lines outwards, engine, trans, mounts, exhaust... all trash.

You're right, I wasn't paying close enough attention, I read 3.8 and automatically assumed it was a Buick engine. I really should have noticed that.

 

[NJ Longroof]

If you want the most cost effective swap imaginable... (and no swap is truly cheap) here's what I'd probably look into.

A 305 Chevy motor is dirt cheap used. You should be able to find a decent one for 200 or 300 running with good compression.

V8 frame motor mounts are also cheap. I'm thinking 40/probably shipped isn't impossible if you find someone scrapping a frame.

To keep exhaust cheap get a parts store 4 foot universal straight pipe for $15, and a flexible tailpipe for another $10. Then buy a old style glass pack for $20. Run the exhaust straight back from the factory y-pipe and manifolds that came with your 305, then into the glass pack where the cat converter is now, then run the pipe back along the floor board before turning it out the side before the tire.

Your existing wiring harness has all you need to run a non-ccc hei carb setup on that 305, look for a motor from a pre 1987 truck when buying.

Buy a summit $170 aluminum 2 core radiator. Best compromise of cooling and cost, and fits without hacking things up.

Get a th350 short tail transmission, it fits your driveshaft, and fits your crossmember. That's another $150-200 in running condition.

Figure another $100 for incidental's - fluids, hoses, belts, maybe valve cover gaskets and the like.

You now have a running/driving 170 or so HP v8. Save money for round two.

Next up, buy a pair of 350 vortec heads, it's a popular swap on a 305 to bump HP and go with a better cam. Get a carb intake at the same time, and switch to headers with a proper exhaust. This should bring you into the upper 200s nearly 300 for HP. Added bonus is the headers, exhaust, etc will work on a future 350. If you're not crazy that transmission and your rear end will still live just fine while you save for round three.

Shop around and save money to get your vortec 350 to build, a better trans rebuilt, and a better rear end than your 7.5. Your existing intake, headers, exhaust, radiator, etc will work that you already bought. Sky is the limit here, but, you've been enjoying a reliable car fairly cheap in the meantime

What ck80 said.... it is a solid plan and what I am gonna do with mine. Look on fb market place and craigslist, you might find a sbc/trans combo on the cheap. You can even find em still in the car to see how it runs shifts.

 

[shoedoos]

350 4 bolt Chvey Motor - auto parts - by owner - vehicle automotive...

4 bolt main Short Block Chevy Motor from a 1980 Chevy Pick-up. Was rebuilt in about 2016. Motor...

billings.craigslist.org

Chevy motor with camel hump heads - auto parts - by owner - vehicle...

Early 1970 chevy motor, bored with all new short block parts. Parts are still in boxes. Not...

wyoming.craigslist.org

75 monty carlo - general for sale - by owner

Monty Carlo coupe. Doesn't run. Last run approximately 3 years ago. 350 cu very low miles on reman...

billings.craigslist.org

 

[MrSony]

As with a 3.8 BUICK, a 350 Buick v8 makes the best bang for buck swap.


With your 229 CHEVROLET V6, a chevrolet 350 fits the bill. Crate engines can be had for a few grand, but nearly always cheaper to build your own.

A basic sbc with $800 (new) vortec heads, aluminum intake, 9:1 compression, headers and a decent cam will be about $2000 give or take and net no less than 300hp. Junkyard engines are cheaper but its a gamble. Most sbc werw driven into the ground but they are tough engines. If it spins over you could drop it in and go.

Two or 4 bolt main doesn't matter. Two or one piece rear main seal doesnt matter but certain parts differ between the two. But no matter what you get you should spend the extra coin on a good set of heads. Even the chinesium eBay aluminum heads are better than most stock sbc heads.


Good luck.

 

[Yav8]

Why spend the time on a 305 and put 350 vortec heads on it. Just do the 350 vortec and be done with it. Drop in a HEI and the cheap copy intake and run it. IT will make a easy 330-350 HP and tons to TQ for the same price. If you want to upgrade anything just put a set of 1.6 rockers on it and go from there. There has got to be a lot of 96-2000 chevys and GMC running around or something to look for that runs. Most will have a 4L60e trans attached and you can get a manual shift setup for under $200. Hell yes its cheap, look around for a 2WD truck and your all set. Later a set of Comp. valve spring and reatainers and a GM Hot cam and you easly at 400HP and 400 TQ.

 

[shoedoos]

I feel a game of "Let's spend the OP's money" is being played here......

 

[UC645]

I feel a game of "Let's spend the OP's money" is being played here......

Ask and you shall receive.... something, something, something.


To give you an idea of the cost involved with just building a 1 piece rear main SBC (better than 2 piece because reasons), I spent around about $2700 on mine, but granted that’s rebuilt from intake to pan, with machine work. Heck, a complete cast rotating assembly from Eagle was under $800 if I’m remembering right.

Pinch your pennies, if you can’t find a Vortec, go with a TBI motor and just run it with a carb intake until you’ve got money saved for a full rebuild. I can dig for all my receipts if you want a more accurate estimate.

 

[ck80]

Why spend the time on a 305 and put 350 vortec heads on it.

Back a short while ago the OP had made a post about trying to do a swap with around a $1000 budget all-in.

Benefit of going that route is you can get the car running and working cheap if not super fast in the first stage, then save up and do the rest in stages.

Granted, motors cost different everywhere but in these parts no solid good compression vortec 350 goes cheap.

Nevertheless, I don't see doing a reliable vortec 350 swap into an original v6 car where you own no parts to do any of it for around $1000, at least not around these parts. But the initial budget might be what you didn't know about...

 

[shoedoos]

Sonnys has 1000 cubic inches that will fit in a G-body engine bay.....