Topic: Optimum engine replacement in a 1979 project car....
in Forum: C3 Engines
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I am replacing an engine in a 1979 project car. No chance of matching numbers.....In you opinion, what is the optimum replacement engine for a driver resto/mod?Thanks in advance for your input.JC
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Overland Park, KS - USA
Joined: 7/9/2003
Posts: 914
Vette(s): 1973 Orange Metallic Coupe (orig owner), L82, 4 spd (WR), PS, (A/C & PW (I installed from wrecked 73)), leather, AM/FM Stereo, ran with '65 FI unit earlier & will again some day.
2023 Accelerate Yellow HTC Stingray
Might check out Chevy crate engines as they come in lots of different hp and displacements and come w/ a 3 year/36K warranty.
1973 L-82 4 spd
Lifetime Member
I put a GM Performance ZZ4 crate engine into my '82. Great engine! But you can go with the fuel injected models also. The GM ones are great & have that 3 yr/ 36k mile warranty. Good luck & have fun with it!
|UPDATED|4/20/2016 6:03:57 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
Dave
|UPDATED|4/20/2016 6:03:57 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
Lifetime Member #116
Dave's '82 
How about some modern LS engines? There are many performance bolt-ons available for them.
Check this article about the engine swap on superchevy: http://www.superchevy.com/how-to/vemp-0203-c3-corvette-engine-swap/
You can check bolt-on performance parts at CARiD site
Depenfing on what performance do you want to get from it, you can add an air intake, custom exhaust or even a supercharger.
|UPDATED|4/25/2016 6:02:29 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
Check this article about the engine swap on superchevy: http://www.superchevy.com/how-to/vemp-0203-c3-corvette-engine-swap/
You can check bolt-on performance parts at CARiD site
Depenfing on what performance do you want to get from it, you can add an air intake, custom exhaust or even a supercharger.
|UPDATED|4/25/2016 6:02:29 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
LS swap with a overdrive transmission.
Best engine swap I did with my vette. 400+hp and 25 mpg.
TKO500 5 spd.
Borgeson Steering Box
Born 8/1981
Sequence #3975
Click here to see more pics of my Vette on CarDomain.
Lifetime Member #26
It depends on what you are looking for. If you want a modern engine in an older car, the LS is the way to go I did my 79 last year and chose to go the gen1 small block to give it the stock appearance. I just made mine the way I felt they should have been made . I chose to go with a 383. It has plenty of torque and bolts up to everything I had on my old 350. I went with better heads, cam, intake manifold, and headers. I even purchased a quadrajet from SMI to keep the stock look. It's fun when you can stay with some of the modern muscle cars,and when you go park and look at each others rides, they see a small block with a quadrajet. I stayed close to a z06 and shut down some coyotes and ls camaros. It's fun to hear the excuses on why they couldn't blow away a stock looking 79 corvette with a" quadrajunk". The c3's in my opinion has some of the nicest lines but they don't get a lot of respect. Whatever way you choose to go , make it preform like it deserves
stuff to do.in Forum: C3 Engines
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