Topic: Crate Engine or heads and cam
in Forum: C3 Engines
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Just dreamin, dont know if I could afford to do this at this point but figured I'd ask... My 81 has the trans and rear done (3:55s). Im dreaming or thinking about ETs now.. My car is street driven, it will never see a track. But, my Moms Camry will take it.. LOL... Do I change the heads and cam or should I just think of a crate motor?
The important part is the car has to be VERY streetable, no heating issues (My cooling system is brand new) and have no relyability issues.
My mechanic who I love and really knows his stuff said just to drop in a ZZ4. Heres where I get confused... A complete zz4 is 4500.00 carb to pan. I'm seeing engine builders offer dyno verified 385hp for 3200.00.
Whats everyones thoughts on a crate motor? Should I look at a head and cam swap?
What is a real budget on this and any ideas on real 1/4 and 60 sec time..
THANKS!
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Compared to what is available as "crate" these days, a head/cam swap on a low compression engine doesn't look like a money saver. It may be cheaper to go with a top end swap, but I don't think the performance gain would make it comparable to a crater in the end. Just my .02 
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On a dollar for dollar basis, a crate engine is the way to go. You can buy them in many power levels, plus they have a warranty on them.
I'm not saying you can't get a 385hp engine for $3200, but that's probably a lowball figure, unless you do your own work and have access to a machine shop.
The entire engine is no stronger than its weakest parts. If you add new heads and a cam, your lower rotating assembly is still old and has some wear, so you won't get the maximum potential out of the buildup, unless you rebuild the entire engine.
You have to assume your block needs to be bored out...lots of machine time and labor plus new pistons...not cheap for quality work. New heads are a good idea either way you decide to go...a lot of money spent on your existing heads is better spent on new aluminum ones. Your crank would have to be polished...more shop time and labor.
A new crate engine also takes advantage of modern casting techniques and is very high quality, not that your original engine isn't. The new castings are generally somewhat lighter in weight. You can either save your original engine, or sell it to help offset the costs of the new engine.
You still have to remember that more horsepower creates more heat...you still might have to upgrade your new cooling system.
Also, and I know this adds significantly to the overall investment...think fuel injection. It's not a necessity by far, but you won't regret it in the long run.
I'm not saying you can't get a 385hp engine for $3200, but that's probably a lowball figure, unless you do your own work and have access to a machine shop.
The entire engine is no stronger than its weakest parts. If you add new heads and a cam, your lower rotating assembly is still old and has some wear, so you won't get the maximum potential out of the buildup, unless you rebuild the entire engine.
You have to assume your block needs to be bored out...lots of machine time and labor plus new pistons...not cheap for quality work. New heads are a good idea either way you decide to go...a lot of money spent on your existing heads is better spent on new aluminum ones. Your crank would have to be polished...more shop time and labor.
A new crate engine also takes advantage of modern casting techniques and is very high quality, not that your original engine isn't. The new castings are generally somewhat lighter in weight. You can either save your original engine, or sell it to help offset the costs of the new engine.
You still have to remember that more horsepower creates more heat...you still might have to upgrade your new cooling system.
Also, and I know this adds significantly to the overall investment...think fuel injection. It's not a necessity by far, but you won't regret it in the long run.
Go get yourself one of those Camry engines....Your Vette is lighter weight so i'll bet you can take her 
Seriously......Go to www.gmpartsdirect.com and look over the crates. The sale may still be on.
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KeBo:
I did the same investigation and I listened to my mechanic's advice and I based it off of what Gunslinger is saying. You and I both have the 2 bolt main 350 ci stock GM motor. I pulled my original motor, took het apart and she is bathing in oil.
I did not put the ZZ4 because of the hood issue. My wife and better half, the fine young Cajun Girl she is, is only 5 ' tall and could not see over the stock hood, so I X'ed the ZZ4, but what a setup. If I only knew she was not going to drive the Vette anymore, I would have installed the ZZ4 or 383 stroker with the new hood.
I put the GM330 hp and I am very pleased ,two buds and I did it one weekend. I was getting horrible performance out of the stock 8-8.5 mpg. I got almost 16 this weekend with a turbo 350 tranny. You pretty much know what your budget is with the crate!
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Crate engine
I still have the original engine mothballed in the corner of the garage. It wasn't worth rebuilding. I started with a GM 350 HO 330hp crate engine and have done some tinkering with it to improve it a little. A friend of mine awhile back put a ZZ4 in his '80 L-82 vette. That car moved pretty good.
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Gurtz, Darryl; My motor is actually in great shape. I have 65k on it. My main reason for the change is only to improve performance.
Can I ask a favor of you guys.. Can I have the specs/model id on your motors and if you dont mind, can you tell me where you bought them. Gurtz, your motor pix are gorgeous! Im not going to change any panels.. Other question for you guys, what headers/manifolds did you use? I have a big dollar exhaust system hooked up to the stock manifolds.
Lastly - tell me im nuts, check out Aandnengines, you can catch them on Ebay same name.. They have a nice street motor for 3295.00 408hp(it looks net)
Thanks for your help..
Kevin,
Nothing goes as planned, especially with a Vette. I went with the cam, lifters, rollers manifold, carb, etc. The whole thing was supposed to cost around $3,000.
By the time it was done it cost very close to $5,000 ! Don't get me wrong I'm very pleased with the performance, but if I knew then what It was going to cost me I would have gotten a crate engine and saved the original.
Just my 2 cents
Octavio, Oh yeah, NOTHING ever goes as planned! My rear went from 2500.00 to 4200.00. I hear rthe budget, add 25% and pray.. LOL...
in Forum: C3 Engines
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