Ive been looking into getting a motorcycle but now i'm thinking for the same price of a new bike i could probably build a pretty fast Thirdgen to complement my Heritage Z28 (which i tend to baby the **** out of).

Obviously if i can step into a third gen that has an L98 in it, i would probably just stick with that...But if i come across a good body that has a v6 or 305 in it...what would be the best swap for me based on price, ease of installation, and power?

My dad has had a beastly 396 from a 70 SS chevelle in our garage for like 20 years, but from what i've read the BBC's require quite a bit of fabrication to get to fit. My dad has built engines and has alot of experience, but I dont think he wants to get into too much fab work. The obvious benefit to this is that most of the engine is there (minus a carb and the accessories) but if its alot of work to put into a third gen, then it might not be worth it.

As far as the other options, I dont know exactly how expensive each is when it comes to exhaust work, how much fab work is required, and immediate (and future) power output. Ideally, I'd like to get atleast 350-380bhp out of whatever I put it, and i would prefer to spend no more than $2500-$3000 on the engine. any input or advice is appreciated (And in the meantime i will be doing some searching but i havent found too much so far...)

 

$2500-3000 is probably too small a budget to consider anything new. If that doesn't include transmission, you can probably get a decent LS1 for that amount.

Getting it in is a different story.

Big blocks bolt in very easily. Getting exhaust hooked up and hood clearance are the challenges.

 

yea i figured so...

Ideally, i'd like to back whatever engine i would put in with a built 700r4 or maybe a T56 out of a wrecked 4th gen, followed up with a 4th gen rear with either 3.42s or 3.73s. Obviously, going with my dads BBC I would have to have a seriously beefy drivetrain to handle it...when it was still in the chevelle it was running 11's so i can only imagine what that engine would run in a 3rd gen. I also worry about drivability with the 396 though, is there any way to make it streetable (not really worried about gas mileage...just drivability around town and on the highway).

An LT1 w/ trans doesnt seem too costly off of ebay. How would the ease of an LT1 installation in a 3rd gen compare to the installation of a BBC??

And like i said, i could always go L98 and that would pretty much slide right in. Where would the cheapest place to get a decent L98 be?

 

LT1 and BBC are probably about equal in difficulty, with the LT1 winning the handling, economy, and driveability awards. Stroke it, and it'll probably outrun the 396 BBC.

Check the Classifieds forum on this Board for L98's. Also hear of people getting them off eBay and out of junkyards.

 

Why not both? You can find decent blades for cheap, and it gives you something to ride when the thirdgen is down for "mods". I get 42 MPG on my CBR and no matter what I do to my cars, I'm not without a ride (of course you'll want to mod the bike too ).

As far as motor swaps, I did a "modified" LS1 into mine and I'll never do another SBC again. The LS1 in stock form has as much power as my old "modded" 350 TPI, and responds much better to mods.

 

A carbed 350 is going to be the best HP per dollar. Entirely conceivable to build one for 400hp for $2500.

 

If you are going n/a, then really look into the LSX engines.

If you are eventually going supercharged/turbocharged then LT1 or sbc.

 

To bad your up in PA i have a 49k l98 w 700r4 to get rid of. But if your not worried about the gas and you have the motor 396+t56 sounds fun and straight forword just some headers & exaust a little wiring and your good to go.
I have a friend that wants to put a tbi 454 in place of his 305 tbi but hes converting to carburated and hope he does it.

 

I'm kind of in the same boat here as mack is. I'm looking to replace my L03 pretty soon as I am looking for something with quite a bit more power to meet my needs, and something I can actually modify and see significant changes and results. I would really love to get my hands on an LT1 or an LS1 but i'm unwilling to get rid of my 5 speed at the moment as they are all I have ever drove and I enjoy it. The problem is, I can't find one anywhere (maybe I'm looking in wrong places?)

I wouldn't mind just having an oldschool 350 but thats where I am also having trouble deciding. I am wondering whether I should just buy the block and build it from ground up myself with my pops(time is not a problem, its just I really want to get it done before winter here[which is often pretty bad at times] so I can see what it can do so I can do other things to it during that time when it can't be drove anyways instead of waiting till spring to be seeing what it can do).

 

the t5 only came behind the 305 for a resone there weak, get a t56
is the same but you get an extra overdrive, so you can run deeper gears and alot stronger

 

Sorry to hi-jack the thread, but how much are you looking to get for the L98 or L98 and 700R4? Would you be willing to ship? I am in So-Cal (90638).


Thanks,

-Tim-