Hi I have been contemplating in regards to my engine. I came across with this company in California, west coast engines, www.westcoastengines.com. The remanufactured crate engines. I am looking at 350 ci, 325 hp. The price, $2,499 plus shipping and core of $300. They are using vortec heads. It seems a good price. Is worth buying remanufactured engine? Or, it is better to rebuild my engine? Do you think by rebuilding my engine, will I get to 325 hp? Need help to decide.

|UPDATED|11/8/2012 10:30:31 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|


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Desert StormDesert Shield Veteran Semper Fi

I can only tell you what I decided.  I have a '78 and when I bought it, I could tell the compression just was not what it probably was when it was new.  A lot of people are very concerned about "numbers matching".  I have a plain, black '78 and it will NEVER be a high dollar car, except to ME!!!!  I went the route of a new crate motor.  I went with ZZ4 and have issues with the valve seals leaking (I am still chasing that issue).  I had thought about having the original engine rebuilt, because the L-82 was a 4 bolt main.  The new crate engine was just under $4,000.  Until this valve seal issue came to light, I had been happy with my decision and if I had to make that decision agian, I would go the same route....a new crate motor, but do more research this time.  I am probably one of the dumbest ones on C3VR, so I am sure that others will speak up and give you better opinions on which way to go.

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Warning: The surgeon general has declared that it is NOT unhealthy to smoke your competition AND I just discovered that my corvette is a hybred.  It burns gas and rubber! 

It's very easy to get 300-350 hp out of a stock 350. I personally go with the engine I already have first as long as it's OK. Find a good machine shop & talk to them then make your decision. 

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What I did in one of my cars (not a Vette) was install a GM Performance 350HO/330hp engine.  It already has Vortec heads and no core to exchange...I sold the old engine which helps mitigate some of the costs.

My Vette came with a ZZ4 already installed.  It is rated at 355 HP and 405 Torque.  I don't know if the headers on it add more HP but it has enough power for me.  I haven't had any issues with the engine, just the installation:  Tach doesn't work and the gas tank was rusted out.

http://www.chevroletperformance.com/EngineShowcase/index.jsp?engId=ZZ4350&engine=ZZ4%20350&sku=12499712&engCat=sb

Hi, Basically, I just want to drive my car on weekend. I don't want it to be superjet. I want it to be reliable and yet, the power is there when needed. I don't want to go crazy on the engine because it might turn out that I need to change my tranny, then the rear end. I am not ready for that yet..lol I would like to thank you for all the suggestions. With that said, I think I will just work on the engine that I have now. I called a shop today and he kind a mentioned that crate engines are good and also some of them are really bad for they are not assembled in US. Some are using par products than others. He also suggest to work on my engine just because it is 1974 and want to maintained matching number. I talked to a shop that will help me rebuild my engine. He is charging $1900 on labor. This does not include any porting of the heads or the block itself. He is thinking of just getting a re-build kit for the lower block, changing the rings, maybe pistons, if needed, crank shaft. We will send out the head to get it ported at around ($300) to a bigger hole and maybe changing the springs. I am thiking of putting the following parts: cam (camshaft), intake (edelbrock performer 2101), carb (holley 750 cfm), lifters, rockers, harmonic balancer, flexplates, and gear drive and headers, simple, like hooker, full lenght or shorty. I asked around in regards to MSD box, coils, and distribrutor..they said it is not needed for the engine is just mildy modified, if it considered modified. So, what do you think of the set up? How about MSD? Let me know. Thank you

|UPDATED|11/9/2012 3:53:19 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|


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Desert StormDesert Shield Veteran Semper Fi

Hers's the distributor I went with on my mildly modified motor.....

|UPDATED|11/10/2012 8:28:46 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|


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DanT

Have you thought about contacting Summit Racing or JEGS about your engine rebuild. Their prices are good & they have all sorts of engine upgrades. i.e. cams, heads,etc. Go to the internet & Google their web sites, as it may help you decide on certain accessories for your project.

Hi, thank for your suggestion. Yes I have in contact with summit racing. I talked to their tech a couple of times. In one instance, the guy suggested 650 cfm for my carb and the other time they suggested 750 cfm. What should I use? Also, edelbrock or holley?

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Desert StormDesert Shield Veteran Semper Fi

Unless you have a built-up engine a 600 or 650 cfm carburetor is all you need.  Any normal, not too built up 350 would be hard pressed to use up 600 or 650 cfm anyway and anything bigger can cause a hesitation at take off unless it's highly tuned in and of itself.

I had the same debate a couple of years ago with my engine.  I narrowed it down to three choices:

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I put a 350 crate in mine, 3 year 50,000 mile warrenty for less than  $1500. I purchased the engine from Jegs. The car has the origanal componets on it except intake which is an edelbrock performer great performance and has been very dependible. I still have the origanl motor and will go through it one of these days.

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Click for larger view

Hi, You bought a long block from Jegs and you used all your external parts, such as, water pump, oil pump, pullies, starter, and so on, except for the intake? And slapped it in on the block?

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Desert StormDesert Shield Veteran Semper Fi

You can buy a brand new crate block with heads for 1500 .. I would get a carb to pan 290hp crate from jegs for like 2500 ,, your never gonna beat that deal with starter water pump fuel pump carb .. It really is about the most affordable way to do a engine replacement ,, 

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1980 , ZZ430 , 3.92 rear , 700R4 2400 stall NEW EZ EFI 

I am going the build a new one from the start. this way i get exactly what I need and I know what parts have gone into the engine. It is much more expensive and time consuming. I have spent around $6500 not counting my labour.

|UPDATED|12/6/2012 10:36:03 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|


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I am still doing a lot of research. Finally down to little details. Question: How can I tell my compression is low and I need to overall my lower block. My plan is now is to have my cylinder heads work on and rebuilt, change the intake, carb, cam, rollers, lifters. But not really doing anything to my lower block. The car runs, but, with 189 or 190 bhp, I know that theres is nothing in it. What do you think?

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Desert StormDesert Shield Veteran Semper Fi

A compression test gauge or the more accurate option, a cylinder leak down test, I have found that by only doing the top end  of an engine, you have the potential for bottom end failure.

|UPDATED|12/6/2012 2:45:46 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|


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Hi. Is it easy to install the engine yourself after you had it worked on (block and heads)? I am not a handy man so, it might different in my case. I also ask around about vortec heads. They told me because of the clearance issue, vortec heads, and vortec compatible intake will not work. What is your thoughts on this? How much hp is now your engine puts out? What ratios that your block and heads? Thank you

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Desert StormDesert Shield Veteran Semper Fi

I had this same thought process a couple of yrs ago. I went with a crate motor because I am keeping the car so It's gonna be worth the same to me (and my daughter) no matter how original it is and by the time I sent the original out for machine work it would have brought the price up considerably.

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Dave C..........My mantra: I can not be bought!!      Long and short term leases available.

Vortec heads fit under the stock hoods, you just have to use the correct manifold and air cleaner.  I used a GM manifold similar to this one except mine is a spread bore (bigger rear bores for the giant secondaries of a Q-jet carb)

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Hi, what do you think of this combo? Summit Racing Part Number:CMB-08-0034 I am not thinking of doing anything to my lower block, do you think thats ok? Do you think with the combo above my lower block will be able to handle it? I will also change my carb and add cam. Another question, do you know some that had use obx side exhaust?

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Desert StormDesert Shield Veteran Semper Fi

It sounds like you trying to do this as affordable as possible. And there really is no cheaper way to re-do a motor then getting a 1500.00 short block and installing your parts to it (ie) intake carb starter exhaust manifolds. Would a numbers matching car be worth more ? My vote in your case is no and with no disrespect numbers matching includes a lot of investment during a restore and you seam happy (rightly so ) to drive and enjoy the car. 

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1980 , ZZ430 , 3.92 rear , 700R4 2400 stall NEW EZ EFI 

My younger brother is really into auto and truck parts, and has been for many years now. I am lucky in the fact that he wanted to rebuild my org. #'s engine. Our thoughts were "while it's apart" and what would be simple upgrades...pistons...camshafts...etc. He feels I should get a good crusin car with 300hp. I have had the trans. rebuild at a race shop...heads at a machine shop that we have used in the past! Trans...was a virgin...and engine got a  very detailed hone work over. Org. had 160,000 miles by 2 other owners and cylinder walls showed almost no wear. So long story...short...get someone you know and trust to help you make your choices!  I have waited 20 years...so just opened the bank account and went for it. LOL

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