Topic: Where did ya'll buy your crate engine?
in Forum: C3 Engines
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Looking for a consensus of price, quality and service.
Still debating where to buy the ZZ4....
Still debating where to buy the ZZ4....
Lifetime Member #73
The Money Pit.... and my niece 
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"I Love all Corvettes! LifeTime Member #60..Terry" 
Good question. But you have a choice. You can build your own version, doing the labor yourself. Lots of work? Yep. Cost can be less, but will often be more than buying an engine already done. But the fun and pride can be worth it. Then again maybe that's not your idea of fun. Not everyone is like me. I have gas instead of blood so there is that to consider.
Just random thoughts.
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Frederick, MD - USA
Joined: 9/8/2003
Posts: 3398
Vette(s): 1969 convertible L71 427/435 4-speed black interior
Do you intend to install the engine yourself or will a shop do it? If you do it yourself, it really comes down to price...it has the same GM warranty regardless of where you buy it.
If you intend to have a shop install it, most want to sell you the engine or charge you extra for installing it. The advantage to having the installing shop supply the engine is THEY have to warranty the engine and installation. They go through GM for warranty service, not you. If say the engine blows up under the warranty, the shop will not do anything other than charge you all over again for the labor since you provided the engine. If they sell it to you...they back it up.
I have a car in the restoration shop and had a GM 350 HO 330hp installed. The price the shop gave me on it was a bit higher than Summit Racing or Jegs, but it was within a few dollars of Summit or Jegs after shipping would have been applied.
Wherever you buy the engine should back it up, or give you a real break on the price if it's up to you for service.
If you intend to have a shop install it, most want to sell you the engine or charge you extra for installing it. The advantage to having the installing shop supply the engine is THEY have to warranty the engine and installation. They go through GM for warranty service, not you. If say the engine blows up under the warranty, the shop will not do anything other than charge you all over again for the labor since you provided the engine. If they sell it to you...they back it up.
I have a car in the restoration shop and had a GM 350 HO 330hp installed. The price the shop gave me on it was a bit higher than Summit Racing or Jegs, but it was within a few dollars of Summit or Jegs after shipping would have been applied.
Wherever you buy the engine should back it up, or give you a real break on the price if it's up to you for service.
I'm going to install myself...
Ken - I still don't unnerstand enough about engines to rebuild one myself. Pulling one and reinstalling is about the pinnacle of my knowledge on engines. I'm even having a bit of an anxiety attack about doing this one by myself.
Ken - I still don't unnerstand enough about engines to rebuild one myself. Pulling one and reinstalling is about the pinnacle of my knowledge on engines. I'm even having a bit of an anxiety attack about doing this one by myself.
Lifetime Member #73
The Money Pit.... and my niece
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Former Member
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Bladenboro, NC - USA
Joined: 1/22/2006
Posts: 1058
Vette(s): 1972 conv., sunfire yellow, blk interior, blk vinyl and convertible top. Off frame restoration with American Speed 383 stroker engine producing 500hp plus a 200hp NOS system. MSD ignition. Hooker super competition headers with chambered exhaust.
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Moses Lake, WA - USA
Joined: 4/16/2005
Posts: 2134
Vette(s): 1976 L48 4-spd, Mahogany Metalic exterior, Buckskin interior 350ci/350hp, 3rd owner, fiberglass spring, 255/50-16's Torq-Thrust II
I am with you Jim. I would like to make a new motor one of my winter projects. I have replaced heads, timing chains, manifolds but have not gone all the way in to bearings and pistons. I am trying do decide between crate or doing it myself. I am only wanting to get between 300 hp and maybe 350 hp. So keep us posted on your project
Well...
After a lot of soul searching I ordered the motor from Jegs. No tax was a help in my decision. Did have to pay shipping.
They are back ordered but I'm not in a hurry right now. Now all I have to do is order a water pump and I should be good to go right or am I missing any special brackets?
Lifetime Member #73
The Money Pit.... and my niece
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Frederick, MD - USA
Joined: 9/8/2003
Posts: 3398
Vette(s): 1969 convertible L71 427/435 4-speed black interior
There are several applications for the water pump...all fit a small block. There's a short water pump, a long one, and some years a specific Corvette pump. They will all bolt up but the accessories brackets won't line up.
I think most years will take the short water pump, but you need to be sure of that.
If you decide to go with a serpentine kit, it will usually come with the proper water pump.
I think most years will take the short water pump, but you need to be sure of that.
If you decide to go with a serpentine kit, it will usually come with the proper water pump.
If I go serpentine then I need to do SPAL electric fans correct?
Lifetime Member #73
The Money Pit.... and my niece
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in Forum: C3 Engines
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