So I am still searching for a G body SS Monte Carlo but I am having trouble trying to decide what motor should I go about putting in it as well as trans. My original idea was to just get a 350 and swap the heads and can so I can still have a decent amount of power, because I highly doubt that I’ll be racing it on a serious note. But I came across a few 454’s that were still in my price range, but I’m not sure about how powerful those really are. And a friend suggested if I think about going that route that I might as well do an LSx swap. So I need you guys to help me out with explaining around how much are these swaps usually costing now a days and how much power could each one end up giving me. Because in all honesty I don’t know a lot about it. Thanks in advance!
What motor should I go with?
- Thread starter Deshaun Frazier
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So, you don't even have the car yet?
I can play the "rough estimate" game. Assuming you have purchased a SBC powered V8 gbody set aside $3k-$4k for an auto trans to hold up to anything stronger than stock, and another $1k+ in brakes to stop it all
To me " beacuse in all honesty I dont know a lot about it " means you wont be making stuff work to work with the car but rather looking to buy what already works.
SBC will be the cheapest. $2500 - $4000 will get you something that will drop in and will 100% bolt up to what you have in there now with a warrenty on the engine. Existing exhaust, wiring, cables, brackets, lines, fuel pump even your AC will hook back up. That kind of money puts you in the 290 hp - 375 hp range. Spend more money on more motor = more power = breaking stuff then the cycle starts.
BBC now you are looking exhaust and likely some fab work on the HVAC box if its an AC Car, and maybe a little clearancing to make the headers work. In and around the same price range as above with a used motor but if you cant do the work yourself and you are paying someone else by the hour to make it work for you it will add up quick. Its tight but will fit and worth the hassle everywhere but the gas pump as they tend to be a little thirsty. Going to need to upgrade the radiator as well
LS- $5 - $7k plus plus plus plus plus. Not for the faint of heart or shallow of pocketbook but as anything in life the hardest work nets the sweetest fruit !
Although I have grown to love my Monte my orig plan was to find an 86 or 87 442. ( you start with the good trans and rear that way )
Yank the 307, drop a warmed over 403, add some exhaust and be rolling again with minimal down time. Plenty of tire frying torque and a relatively quick swap. Its not a drag race winning combo but that low end torque is addictive ! Figure same or lower pricing as the SBC swap above with a good used motor.
To me " beacuse in all honesty I dont know a lot about it " means you wont be making stuff work to work with the car but rather looking to buy what already works.
SBC will be the cheapest. $2500 - $4000 will get you something that will drop in and will 100% bolt up to what you have in there now with a warrenty on the engine. Existing exhaust, wiring, cables, brackets, lines, fuel pump even your AC will hook back up. That kind of money puts you in the 290 hp - 375 hp range. Spend more money on more motor = more power = breaking stuff then the cycle starts.
BBC now you are looking exhaust and likely some fab work on the HVAC box if its an AC Car, and maybe a little clearancing to make the headers work. In and around the same price range as above with a used motor but if you cant do the work yourself and you are paying someone else by the hour to make it work for you it will add up quick. Its tight but will fit and worth the hassle everywhere but the gas pump as they tend to be a little thirsty. Going to need to upgrade the radiator as well
LS- $5 - $7k plus plus plus plus plus. Not for the faint of heart or shallow of pocketbook but as anything in life the hardest work nets the sweetest fruit !
Although I have grown to love my Monte my orig plan was to find an 86 or 87 442. ( you start with the good trans and rear that way )
Yank the 307, drop a warmed over 403, add some exhaust and be rolling again with minimal down time. Plenty of tire frying torque and a relatively quick swap. Its not a drag race winning combo but that low end torque is addictive ! Figure same or lower pricing as the SBC swap above with a good used motor.
Buy a running driving car first then worry about "racing"
No I don’t now what does that have to do with helping me understand engines?
Car I am waiting to purchase us a stock running 305 and I am nowhere near worried about “racing”
Appreciate your help a lot thanks! Now if I do as you suggest what transmission should I go with? As well as rear end?
Why would you want more power then??
I would leave it alone and enjoy the car.
Once you get familiar with it then start upgrading or modifying it.
You asked us for help, kid. The least you could do is give us some info to work with instead of tossing attitude. Had you answered my original question I would have been glad to share some of my experience but instead you handed out negative rep points. Great way to get people to help you.
Have fun with the imaginary engine swap on your imaginary car.
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