rdsxfn524

So my 350 finally took a crap, so im looking into a new engine for under hopefully 3k. My thoughts so far are between a high compression cast iron carbed 350, a lt1 with new heads and cam and some bolt ons, and either a cheap turbo 3.8 or 4.3 v6. Has anybody tried the turbo v6 setup and if so what was the results on hp, gas mileage, and price. What does everyone think will be the best choice?

vetteoz

iTrader: (13)

Turn your 350 into a 383 w/ carb

rdsxfn524

that seems like the cheapest option but also the biggest gas hog so im having alot of battles with myself on this one. Can anybody help me put together a list of everything needed for a lt1 swap from harnesses to mounts everything. Trying to price out each option

vetteoz

iTrader: (13)

So what do you want?
Performance or economy?
Hard to get best of both
V6 with turbo give 6cyl economy with V8 power when you hit on it

crazy82

iTrader: (1)

i bought this motor 2995 with flywheel for manual trans delivered to the front door http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/CHEVY...Q5fAccessories
i should get it in a few weaks. let you know if its any good

rdsxfn524

I need to make it cheap and want it in the 300-400 to the wheel but decent gas mileage, and if i went for the v6 turbo option i would problly have to build a forged motor, which is why im leaning towards the lt motor since they get good gas mileage and good power when tuned right

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

There are two variations of a general truth:

"Tell me how much money you have, and I'll tell you how fast you can go."

Or;

"Tell me how fast you want to go and I'll tell you how much money it is going to take."

Neither of those, however, address fuel economy.

If you want 300 RWHP with decent fuel economy, get an LT1.

If you want 400 RWHP with decent fuel economy, get an LS1.

vetteoz

iTrader: (13)

You don't state what car it is going into

Air_Adam

Old hot-rodding addage.... "Fast, reliable, cheap - pick two"

That said... if you wanna stay under 3k, a Vortec headed 350 would probable be your best bet for cheap cheap cheap with reasonable power and economy.

I'm still a proponent of the LSx engines though... if you can get a healthy used 5.3 and some F-body accy/oil pan/intake/exhaust manifolds then you could have a very nice driver for decent money. Most 5.3 were between 300-325hp, and will get better fuel mileage than a SBC or LT1 will.

rdsxfn524

O sorry the car is a 1985 trans am.

and man that pick two deal is hard but i guess since im in college i gotta go for reliable and cheap

im gonna have to look into the 5.3's around here see what there going for i was wanting to swap in a 6.0 a while ago but never had the money.

Does anybody know how the fuel economy is on a 350 with a system like the stealth ram after a tune.

zraffz

I know they make a stroked block for $800. I also know edelbrock has a 460 HP top end kit for $1800. Reuse all your accessories, you will be left with $400 but you'd still need a bottom end and carb :/ You can probably piece together a bottom end for like $800.

KrisW

iTrader: (5)

If you're in college and on a budget then it doesn't HAVE to be a 5.3 if you are thinking of the future...

ANY LS series V8 is the way to go for budget and economy. You can always up the horsepower in the future. The hardest part is getting your car ready for LS power and the guys here have already done all of the math.

You can get 4.8 truck engines for nothing at the wrecking yards around me. I was driving one in a 3/4 ton service truck just a few weeks ago for a living and that little 4.8 beat the hell out of my previous truck with the vortec 350. It just wasn't even a comparison.

I would be looking for a running engine from the wrecking yard, a used 4L60E trans to go with it from some newer GM car, and then follow the instructions in the LSx swap forum to get the rest done. The hardest part will be going on eBay and craigslist (and the LS forums) to get your used F-car oil pan and pickup. Get it running and driving first, work your little bugs out, and then you can put a 6 liter or some other killer V8 under the hood later when you have the money to do it right.

There are so many truck LS engines out in the yards now (4.8 and 5.3) that it ALMOST doesn't make sense to even look at small blocks anymore. ALMOST. If you have to do the extreme, "I have no money" budget, then I guess you just rebuild what you've got. If you're gonna go the route of replacing the engine you have and you are going to keep the car, the LS is the most common sense option out there. GM is still making them and they will be supported far into the future.

Good luck and keep us posted.