How much do I really need?

[DeeVeeEight]

I am shopping a new crate motor for my 'Vette. I am shooting for 400 plus horse power. I did some reading on crankshafts, cast vs. nodular vs. forged as I am seeing engine prices all over the place. I could go with a 350 or a 383 and easily hit the 400 hp mark. The issue is $$$ spent versus reliability. I don't want a cheap motor that will grenade in a few months but I also don't want to overspend. I also want to stay with a Gen 1 small block so I do not have to change a bunch of stuff. Here are some of the offerings. I know that your answers will vary greatly, but what are the pro's and con's, what would you recommend? The car is mostly street driven but I also like to put my foot in it and push the rev's to 5K plus...
Which brings me to another issue brought up in the Skip White 383 build, Rev limiters and O2 sensors. What are your opinions with regards to these?

https://www.yearone.com/Product/1953-82-corvette/ct350pc1

https://www.yearone.com/Product/1953-82-corvette/at350pc1

http://www.skipwhiteperformance.com/detail.aspx?Item=383 STAGE

http://www.skipwhiteperformance.com/detail.aspx?Item=383 TURNKE

http://blueprintengines.com/index.php/products/bp-gm-crate-engines-landing/gm-383-main

 

[68/70Vette]

GMZZ383 Performance Parts catalog. I have the ZZ4 (350), wish I'd bought the 383. You can access the catalog on google. Love my ZZ4 Hot Cam engine..wish I'd bought the 383.

 

[MYBAD79]

It has to be a turn key crate engine? That is probably the most expensive way to go, you pay for the convenience of a "drop in" engine. You don't get to pick and choose the components that you want.

You already found Skip White in Tennessee..... He's been around for a few years and there's some good feedback on the net..... They used to have 383 short blocks for under $2000 on Ebay

Go with a 86+ block and use a roller cam. From what you're describing it sounds like you want pretty much what I bought from M&R engines: reliable 400hp.... Get a 383, roller cam, have them deck the block so that you get around 10:1 CR.... You can get away with a cast crank at that hp level but definitely get a later style 4bolt main roller block.... Spend your money on forged piston instead of those shiny pulleys shown in the links.....

Can you use the heads that you already have ??? I assume you have aluminum heads on your current engine??

Same for intake, carb and pulley system, balancer .... No need to waste money on that if you already have all that stuff.... Although, the balancer might not fit the later style rotating assembly if it's internally balanced vs external....

My opinion?? $2000 for a 383ci short block, $500 for a roller cam/lifter kit, $900 for Summit aluminum heads (budget minded) .... Plus $200 for pushrods/head bolts/gasket.....Re-use your intake/carb/pulleys/water pump/oil pan/pump etc.... For around $3600 you got your reliable 400hp in a fun engine

 

[DeeVeeEight]

It has to be a turn key crate engine? That is probably the most expensive way to go, you pay for the convenience of a "drop in" engine. You don't get to pick and choose the components that you want.

You already found Skip White in Tennessee..... He's been around for a few years and there's some good feedback on the net..... They used to have 383 short blocks for under $2000 on Ebay

Go with a 86+ block and use a roller cam. From what you're describing it sounds like you want pretty much what I bought from M&R engines: reliable 400hp.... Get a 383, roller cam, have them deck the block so that you get around 10:1 CR.... You can get away with a cast crank at that hp level but definitely get a later style 4bolt main roller block.... Spend your money on forged piston instead of those shiny pulleys shown in the links.....

Can you use the heads that you already have ??? I assume you have aluminum heads on your current engine??

Same for intake, carb and pulley system, balancer .... No need to waste money on that if you already have all that stuff.... Although, the balancer might not fit the later style rotating assembly if it's internally balanced vs external....

My opinion?? $2000 for a 383ci short block, $500 for a roller cam/lifter kit, $900 for Summit aluminum heads (budget minded) .... Plus $200 for pushrods/head bolts/gasket.....Re-use your intake/carb/pulleys/water pump/oil pan/pump etc.... For around $3600 you got your reliable 400hp in a fun engine

There is good news around the corner. I was shopping crate motors because of the comparable expense to having machine work done to my existing motor. The crate motors come with a warranty, the machine shop work not so much.... That being said I have an update but I am going back to my "Bad news" post because I think that the info belongs there.

Thanks for your input!

 

[mrvette]

DV8, just make damn sure you do NOT buy a cam known as ZZ9, originating with TPIS, out of Chaska Minn.....it's a POS, it drove me KRAZY for years wondering WTF my intermittent rough idle was coming from, I finally thought to change the cam to try for better economy, screw all that performance shit, because fuel doubled, and traffic is really gross now, what with all the unemployment.....

I posted about my shocking findings.....and the cam a GOOD man off the group sent me....an L98 stock cam has run fine for 2-3? years now.....much longer than that POS ZZ9 did.....

so watch it on what/who on cams....lest you get bald too....

:crutches::devil::tth:

 

[7t9l82]

i like the detail skip white puts in the description . except they say "hydaulic" cam :bonkers: but any are a good choice and would serve you well