What's Cheaper? Crate Engine or Search and Rebuild?
#1
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Car: 1989 IROC-Z
Engine: L98 350
Transmission: New 700r4 Done by 11/14/07!
What's Cheaper? Crate Engine or Search and Rebuild?
I've got a 1984 Trans Am with a 305 LG4 engine. Of course, the blistering acceleration of that 305 just doesn't cut it. I'm looking for more power, and I'd like to start with a 350! What do you guys think would be most cost effective route between finding a 350 block and building my own engine, or just buying a ZZ4 or other emissions legal crate engine swap? I have to abide by California smog laws, and this is my major roadblock. Any ideas?
#2
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i'd say after you consider all things, parts and labor, or your time the crate engines will always be the better bargin.
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#3
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Car: yy wife, crazy.
Engine: 350, Vortecs, 650DP
Transmission: TH-350
Axle/Gears: 8.5", 3.42
GMPP has a kit that is made to swap in a 350 ZZ4 into Camaros originally equipped with an LG4 or L69 from '82-'87. The kit comes with a air cleaner (dual snorkel), all new exhaust (I believe it's Flowmaster) a Q-Jet calibration kit, trans shift improvement parts, stronger rear control arms, and a complete set of technical instructions. Look in the GMPP catalog or call 800/577-6888 for the nearest dealer.
I just copied all of this out of the Oct, 2001 issue of CHP. The engine is rated at (with all this stuff on it) 308 FWHP. It is 100% CARB accepted. I vagely recall it being around $3K. But for all that, and emissions legal in Cali, how can you go wrong. Plus it's got the GM Parts warranty. I would assume that it'll work in a Fire-Chicken also.
Find out. Then compare it to all the stuff that ede pointed out. I bet the overall cost is about the same, or probably cheaper. Plus you won't know if all the stuff you do yourself will pass emissions. Isn't America great???!!!
AJ
I just copied all of this out of the Oct, 2001 issue of CHP. The engine is rated at (with all this stuff on it) 308 FWHP. It is 100% CARB accepted. I vagely recall it being around $3K. But for all that, and emissions legal in Cali, how can you go wrong. Plus it's got the GM Parts warranty. I would assume that it'll work in a Fire-Chicken also.
Find out. Then compare it to all the stuff that ede pointed out. I bet the overall cost is about the same, or probably cheaper. Plus you won't know if all the stuff you do yourself will pass emissions. Isn't America great???!!!
AJ
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Car: 82 Berlinetta/57 Bel Air
Engine: LS1/LQ4
Transmission: 4L60E/4L80E
Axle/Gears: 12B-3.73/9"-3.89
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by AJ_92RS:
GMPP has a kit that is made to swap in a 350 ZZ4 into Camaros originally equipped with an LG4 or L69 from '82-'87. ... I vagely recall it being around $3K.</font>
GMPP has a kit that is made to swap in a 350 ZZ4 into Camaros originally equipped with an LG4 or L69 from '82-'87. ... I vagely recall it being around $3K.</font>
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82 Berlinetta, orig V-6 car, now w/86 LG4/TH700R4. 2.93 limited slip. 2-1/2" cat-back, ZZ3 intake, Accel HEI SuperCoil. AMSOIL syn lubes bumper-to-bumper. Daily driver, work-in-progress (LG4 w/'87 LB9 block, ZZ3 cam, ported World 305 heads, Hooker 2055 headers, 3" Catco cat & 3" cat-back, Spohn SFCs).
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Car: 1989 IROC-Z
Engine: L98 350
Transmission: New 700r4 Done by 11/14/07!
I saw that too, and five-seven's right; it's about $4500. That sucks, but I know the ZZ is at least a good platform to build from.
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Car: yy wife, crazy.
Engine: 350, Vortecs, 650DP
Transmission: TH-350
Axle/Gears: 8.5", 3.42
Well if you wanted, maybe you can just get the ZZ4 and the carb calibration kit. You don't have to buy the other stuff until later. I guess I shouldn't make any guesses on cost. I'll just be wrong.
Well I guess I'll take a risk here. If you took the exhaust, the dual snorkel air cleaner, the trans kit, and the control arms outta the cost, then it might put you closer to $3K. You know that those items don't have any effect on emissions, so they really aren't needed. Then you can upgrade to them later, or use a open element air cleaner, different ex setup, etc. Just take it easy on your trans until you upgrade it.
AJ
EDIT: Opps, caught myself. The new exhaust does come with a new catalytic converter, so you may want to upgrade that just to pass the sniffer.
[This message has been edited by AJ_92RS (edited September 03, 2001).]
Well I guess I'll take a risk here. If you took the exhaust, the dual snorkel air cleaner, the trans kit, and the control arms outta the cost, then it might put you closer to $3K. You know that those items don't have any effect on emissions, so they really aren't needed. Then you can upgrade to them later, or use a open element air cleaner, different ex setup, etc. Just take it easy on your trans until you upgrade it.
AJ
EDIT: Opps, caught myself. The new exhaust does come with a new catalytic converter, so you may want to upgrade that just to pass the sniffer.
[This message has been edited by AJ_92RS (edited September 03, 2001).]
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Car: 82 Trans am
Engine: Twin turbo 350
Transmission: T-56
I'm about to start my first build up on a 400 small block. I have never done either the crate engine, or build a new engine, but i have plopped a truck 350 in my trans am. I cant really speak for either side, but i would say, from an asthetic point of view, I would like to build my own car. Dropping in a turnkey crate engine seems like the easy way out, for people with the dough. THis also may be because im broke as a joke (also 17 years old), and cant afford to have someone put in the hours for me. Just my .02.
jeff
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