I blew my motor in my 80z, it was in need of a good overhaul before but now it's pretty much toast. If I had time I'd take it all apart and see if it was worth fixing (pretty sure it threw a rod) but I"m looking at about a 2 week window to get it driving again. I have plenty of time till that window comes up because I'm sitting in korea right now (us army yay). I've been thinking about buying an engine to drop into it but I really don't know what to look for to get an easy swap. If I did get a more powerfull motor can the tranny take much more that the stock motor? I can fix a blackhawk just fine but when it comes to cars I just lack the knowledge.
Anything would be a help, even a pointing to the right direction. Something to start on would be nice.
Thanks

What's your budget and what kind of use is the car going to see?

I have a GM Performance HO Deulxe 350 in my 72. The engine will run about $3,500 and you can actually order it and pick it up at your local Chevy dealer or get it through Summitt, Jegs, etc.

Wayne (rscamaro73) and John (spoonLt1355) yanked my old engine and installed the new one in a weekend. You may need to do some fab work on some of the brackets, too. Even Wayne said it's pretty 'peppy', lol (and he drove it like he stole it!). I did take it to the track last year and ran a 14.484 1/4 mile - on street tires with a 2.73 open rear, so I didn't think that was too bad.

Some food for thought.....

The inexpensive GM "Universal Replacement" 350 is very similar to the original 350 in your car. If you want an easy bolt-in it don't get any easier than that. Swap over your intake, exhaust, carb, distributor, engine mounts and front end accessories and drop it in. It's rated at 250HP, but with the factory intake and exhaust on it, the engine will put out just about exactly the same power as your original motor did when it was new, maybe a smidge more. It also comes with a warranty. If you want a smidge more power, use an Edlebrock Performer intake with EGR provisions to replace your stock cast iron lo-po intake. It's an emissions-legal replacement part for stock, as is the entire engine.

If you do a performance crate motor for more power just be aware of any differences- stuff you might need different parts to make it ready-to-run in your application. That's the kind of stuff that kills you when you're working on a tight timeframe.

The 350 deluxe looks pretty much what I was looking for power/price wise. Any idea if it would need extra crap to get it to bolt into the car?

It'll bolt right in without a hitch. :)

Wayne and John had to do a little modification to my power steering pump bracket, but I think that was the biggest problem they ran into.

I have a buddy with a ZZ4 with Hot Cam upgrade, less than 10K on everything, sold the car and needs to sell the engine. I'm sure it could be had for $2500, there's a guy that works in his shop that's from Houston and I'm sure they'd be glad to jockey it down to you. Email me at 81vette4speed@cox.net for specs or to put you in touch with the owner.

I'd go with the GM Delux...you can add bolt on goodies for looks as well as performance...have a good looking motor and not break the bank....probably get a decent warranty too.:D

I think I remember hearing, and correct me if I'm wrong that some people with the GM 350 (290hp) crate motor had problems getting it to idle. Do a search on here, I may be confused with something else. But it is pretty much a drop in and go application. Good luck