This probably won't happen for a little while but I was wondering where are some places I should and/or shouldn't look for v-8 for an engine swap in the future? I want to make a Z28 clone but won't restore everything to spec, so any chevy engine will do, although I would like to keep it a non-computer carbed engine.

Are GM performance parts crate engines any good and how much do they cost (site doesn't say)? How about a junkyard or ebay?

EDIT: for GM scrate motors, I'd be looking at something like a 350/290 or the 350 HO crate motors.

The crate engines are your best bet IMHO.

Now that small blocks are all at least 10 years old, up to 50, they are more and more of a risk. A crate engine won't have been f***ed up by various people over the years, stripping bolts, hitting the crank with a hammer, things like that.

All new parts, no wear.

You get a warranty.

List goes on.

Is around $1,500 too good to expect for a carb'd with a little over 300HP?

Is around $1,500 too good to expect for a carb'd with a little over 300HP?

Yes, that is too good to be true if you are talking about a new engine... Surely there are exceptions that can be found, but I would say you'll be closer to $2500 - $3000. You can sometimes find very nice engines in the swapmeet section, but make sure you get full documentation on any engine you buy...

I would suggest visiting a local trusted machinist. Mine had several cores. I bought a 350 block (010, 4-bolt main) from him for very little. It wasn't much cheaper than the crate engine in the long run, but I know it was built right. Plus, I got more HP for the $$$ I spent.

PS - he "didn't have" any cores until I told him that I wanted him to build the engine for me ;)

+1 for having one built or building one yourself.

You can choose the parts in the motor instead of having to settle for something 'okay'. I see youre a California person, the place I work (Blair's Speed Shop) is in Pasadena but isnt cheap....but they spit out some mean motors.

MarcZ,,
for anything engine wise over stock,,, most on the average without spare parts laying arround,, will end up spending about or arround 10$ per horspower (normal average number) up to the 1 - 1.2 horse per cubic inch level,, especially with any kind of decent cylinder heads. that's when buying outright from a company that's building pre-packaged hp rated assemblies,, also,, don't forget that in that price is the intake/headers/carb to finish out the combo if not equipped from them. that's a decent way to look at the power per dollar. usually pretty close once you've got it in the car. then it starts escalating progressively from there. but up to that point,, you can wheel and deal to get more for less if you have some kind of connections and/or wait for the super deals on the parts. less if you do alot of it yourself. D.I.Y can be very rewarding mentally.

then once over 1.2 - 1.3 horse per cubic inch,, the parts,, and more modifications required during,, and for lots of trial assembly and special fitting of parts (like stroker crank clearancing, head mods, checking piston to valve clearance and cutting valve reliefs in pistons, i.e.) start adding up very quickly if someone else is doing the work.

the basic shortblock machine work is pretty much the same actions required for each engine at whatever hp level,, in example,, boring, decking, grinding crank, sizing rods, align honing mains if needed, prepping/cleaning, plugs and cam bearings, tapping bolt holes, etc........

i'd use the search function on this site and not get in a hurry to get it done. you could end up with more hp per dollar spent with a little bit of proper parts matching from seeing what works for people on this site. there's a few that are running some really good numbers with not very much invested simply by matching up the combonation very well. and just about every one of them is in the more,more,more syndrome now. once you drive your new combo for about 6 months to a year,, you'll want more. so,, as you say you will,, take your time and plan well,, because you'll need to learn how to put the fine tune on that critter after you've got it all in the car and going.

if you don't do a crate engine setup,, you might consider starting from scratch with a core from your local pick-ur-part for a complete engine pullout with all the needed brackets, pulleys, engine mounts allready there to ease your install. keep reading and good luck. hope it helps.

300hp for $1500.

Sure, buy a basic Mr. Goodwrench, add a $50 swap meet Preformer 2101 and a stock Q-Jet along with a Summit 204/214 Performer cam for like $50 or so and I bet you should be right there UNLESS the basic Goodwrench engine is more than it used to be??

Guys, I just looked over on S-D's site and they aren't showing the old basic 2-piece crank seal engine, is GM even selling it anymore???

Heck, it used ta go for something as cheap as $1,195 plus S&H......

What's places like AutoZone and such getting out of an engine like it nowadays???

pdq67

Heck, it used ta go for something as cheap as $1,195 plus S&H......


pdq67

carefull there pdq,,, your starting to show your age ;) :D ;)

Good info, thanks everyone.

paceperformance.com has rerasonable prices as does jeggs.

Are GM performance parts crate engines any good and how much do they cost (site doesn't say)? How about a junkyard or ebay?

EDIT: for GM scrate motors, I'd be looking at something like a 350/290 or the 350 HO crate motors.

I had a 350 HO crate engine put in my 72 about a year and a half ago. I have over 7,000 miles on it with no problems. I got the deluxe - complete with everything. We picked it up at the local Chevy dealer (rush install, lol) - Summit has it listed at $3,639. The one that isn't as complete is $2,539. Brand new, on the crate with a warranty. Even Wayne liked it, lol! :cool:

I had a 350 HO crate engine put in my 72 about a year and a half ago. I have over 7,000 miles on it with no problems. I got the deluxe - complete with everything. We picked it up at the local Chevy dealer (rush install, lol) - Summit has it listed at $3,639. The one that isn't as complete is $2,539. Brand new, on the crate with a warranty. Even Wayne liked it, lol! :cool:

w3rD!! That is a peppy lil fooker....for what it is....enough to get April in trouble and grinnin' for a LONG TIME...lol.

Depends on how you're going with it. I'd start hitting the junk yards for a fairly late model truck engine, get a roller cam block with vortec heads already on it.

heard today that the local Napa parts store was selling remanufactured 86-95 year range one piece seal long blocks (sbc350) for like 1700$ here in town. they order out and freight them in. i'm sure freight is included in that price. and that's a stock engine. wow.

'86 and up 350 Goodwrench engine from SDPP is right at $1700..

Boy, right, time's have changed...

Is GM even selling the old 350 two piece crank seal Goodwrench engine anymore??

pdq67

'86 and up 350 Goodwrench engine from SDPP is right at $1700..

Boy, right, time's have changed...

Is GM even selling the old 350 two piece crank seal Goodwrench engine anymore??

pdq67

pdq,, not sure about g.m.,,, but can be ordered through the rebuilders though.
very interesting that the pricing from s.d. and our local here,, are in the same range though. that's pretty neat.