I'm taking any opinions you got....

I've been shopping around for a new crate motor to replace my worn out, tired, and cranky LB9 5.0. And did I mention slow? You know that feeling of slow you get, when it takes all your 305 has to keep up with the new V6's?? No, you say? I do, and it sucks! Suuuuucks I tell you!!
Anyways, getting back to this crate motor thing.....
I've finally came to an engine I like, and on thats in my loan budget numbers. This engine is the GM Performance Parts 350 H.O. 330 HP crate from Jeg's (www.jegs.com). I want to take the TPI system off my 305 and use it on this new engine. It has the Vortec heads so I'd need the Scoggin Dickey, Vortec TPI intake to make this work. AccelŽ 24 lb/hr injectors will be in order and I'm doing my own chip...

At any rate, now for the million dollar question:

Would you think 330 HP or slightly more is obtainable, with this setup as is? If no, then why wouldn't it? Thanks for the feedback! Engine specs are below:

330 HP @ 5000 RPM, 380 ft.lbs. Torque @ 3800 RPM (Max. Recommended RPM: 5500)
9.1:1 Compression Ratio
Cast Iron 4-Bolt Block with One-Piece Rear Main Seal
Nodular Cast Iron Crankshaft
Cast Aluminum Pistons
PM Steel Connecting Rods
Cast Iron 64cc Chamber Vortec Cylinder Heads with 1.94'' Intake and 1.50 Exhaust Valves
Dual Pattern Cam, Lift: .435'' Int. / .460'' Exh., Duration @ .050: 212° Int. / 222° Exh.
1.5 Ratio Rocker Arms

 

Well, first off, I would definatley think about gettin the ZZ4 instead. The ZZ4 is basically that engine, but with the L98 Vette Aluminum heads on there.

I honestly havent heard really anything good about the whole Vortec swap. The Scogindicky base seems to be quite restrictive.

As for 330 HP, probably not with a stock TPI setup. First, youll NEED new injectors, as the ones you have are 19s. Youll need at least 22, but 24 couldnt hurt. Then youll need some more flow... Siamised/LT runners, ported base and plennum, and a 52mm TB would be good too.

Just some ideas Im givin here. Anyone feel free to jump in!
Good luck with your choice!

 

where can one find this ZZ9 crate?

 

ive been contemplating similar things....ive got a tpi setup to swap into my car thats gonna go it w/ a new motor...ive decided to go w/ either a GM short block ($1100) or i still might rebuld my own, probably save $2-300. add a set of AFR's to that, and you're at $2300. for the same price as a vortec base, you can have an accel superram base. now you're not complete, you still need a cam, timing chain, and other small stuff, but for about the same money you've got heads that flow a hell of a lot better, an intake that flows a hell of a lot better too. you could put it all together w/ stock runners an plenum for now and still make some nice power until you can afford to upgrade the rest of the intake. if you dont mind putting your own engine together this just seems to be the way to go to me. you can still get some cheaper heads that will flow nicely and save a few bucks there, but the ARF's are pretty much king.

 

well i figured i should answer your question too rather than just give my opinion...but like 88 WS6 TransAm GTA said, the main restriction in any TPI is the intake setup. you've got the right idea to upgrade the base (you'd have to anyway) but i personally havent heard much about the vortec base at all. then you still need to worry about runners, and you'll probably want to port out your plenum a bit too. if you go the route i suggested, you can get the SR base and save up/look around for the plenum and runners, and once you slap those on you'll be makin sweet *** power. back to the crate motor....i'd also look at the cam, see what the LSA is, anything under 112* is gonna be pretty much useless for a tpi setup, thats another cost to be considered.