PONTIMANIAC 90

I've been thinking about a 305-350 swap for a while although not over the winter. Now that it's getting warmer I'm thinking about going to E-town again.
My original plan was to get a ZZ4 short block and go from there. I of course want to use my TPI set-up(see my sig).
I just looked in my new Jegs catalog and they have a crate engine I haven't seen before. The "Base" 350 HO. Is the block the same as a ZZ4/L98 type? I mean it could be used for a swap from my 305 w/out problems, right?
I'm thinking of getting the Base 350 HO, get some 195cc or 210cc AFR(emission legal)heads(sell off the Vortecs) and swap everything else in.
Will that work? What do you guys think?
PS. I'm aware about injectors and prom work and such.
Thanks in advance.

PONTIMANIAC 90

And also can someone tell me something about the "Caprice 350"
and how does it come?
Also for the best price, should I just go to my local GM dealer. I tryed looking on the web but I can't find nothin'.
I'd appreciate some links.
Thanks in advance
Mike

Damon

I believe the "base" 350HO is just the long block (short block plus heads, cam and valvetrain). Contrast against the "deluxe" 350 HO which is basically ready to bolt in and start up.

No information on the Caprice 350.

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

The L31 shortblock (as well as the ZZ4) is also available. With the heads you mention, and the other work you're willing and capable to do, that might be a way to go.

That said, the Caprice 350 is a nice upgrade from a 305, but probably not for you and your ambitions.

PONTIMANIAC 90

Thanks guys.

george 88gta

iTrader: (1)

For good advice and fair prices on GM crate motors, contact Jim Pace Pontiac. They have a website. I did a 305 to 350 swap 2 years ago in my 1988 GTA. Only real concern was with the egr system. The newer GM engines are not compatible with the older intake manifoilds and you may have to adapt the egr system to an external egr ( e.g. Corvette), big job. I was lucky and they had a small supply of the older 350 300hp engines and only had to modify the center intake manifold bolt holes. The rest was easy, Hypertech chip and change to a 350 knock sensor. Good luck. Big difference in performance.

BOTTLEDZ28

iTrader: (9)

I bought the caprice 350 motor from Jim Pace and it lasted me 30 minutes. the engine flucuates from 0-10 psi of oil pressure. i paid $1,800 for this motor and Jim Pace told me that they will not cover labor charges for it to be fixed. they will just cover parts.the motor is still under the 12 month warrenty too. and i have to send them the broken parts back to them. this motr smoked heavily from the PCV valve for the first 10 minutes of its life. i thought it was just the valves seating but now it is loosing oil pressure fast. i got screwed big time from this engine and now i am looking for another one

george 88gta

iTrader: (1)

BottledZr28, that has got to be exremely frustrating!!!!!!!!!!!!!! A friend of mine bought the same engine from Pace and used it in his Suburban, towing a boat. He burned a piston and they replaced the engine for him, not just the damaged parts. It makes you wonder where they (Pace) are coming from. I have rebuilt a few engines myself ( collector types,1956 265 and a 1970 350) and it is really cost prohibitive when you add in all the machine shop work. I wonder if Scoggins Dickey has better engines? My engine came new from GM in the GM shipping crate, how was yours packaged?

BOTTLEDZ28

iTrader: (9)

My engine came in in crate I am not sure if it was a GM crate or not. I have tried and tried to have Pace pick up the bill for labor and parts but they will not work with me. The car is at a mechanic now and is being taken apart to see what is broken. I am so frustrated about this whole deal. I have been working for over a year on this car in my driveway laying on cold concrete in the winter to try and get this car ready for the spring and now all my hard work went out the door. i just had a baby and starting a new family and money is tight to begin with and now this . i swear i will never buy from them again. it wont be ready this year now. maybe next year

george 88gta

iTrader: (1)

My engine arrived in a cardboard sided crate with a black plastic top and bottom. The sides were held in place with 2x2 wood , very sturdy. Of course, GM logo's all over it. Congrats on the new baby, sounds like you have uor priorities right, family first and then the car. I had to drop all of my projects when the family started, but now I am back in to it. Hang in there, it does get better.

Ricktpi

I used the Caprice 350 in my Camaro. I swapped the heads with World Torquers & put in a Lunati cam. It's basically a L98 (cast iron head) engine with a dfferent cam. It comes as a long block, oil pan to lifter valley (no manifolds or distributor)

junkyarddog

isn't it a waste of $$$ to buy a new LO3 longblock and swap the heads & cam?? i was thinking of doing the same swap but then my fellow thirdgeners set me strait by telling me that the heads are no good and it'd be wiser to start off with a shortblock.

Z28 Boy

if the motor blew up, it should be GMs fault, not Jim Pace's.

how they handle it on the other hand is another story...

i got my motor (350 HO) from them 2 years ago. some of the best service i have had. i had the engine literally 2 days later.

-brian

Ricktpi

I got the Caprice engine from the dealer I worked at. We were rebuilding police cruisers at the time & purchasing lots of these engines, I was able to get it very cheap.