Engine: rebuild or crate?

NeXuS1 · February 26, 2001

in april when i get my insurance money i'd like to do some mods to my GMC. right now the engine is pretty stock, flex-fan, flowmaster cat back system. its at about 160k miles, it runs great idles perfectly, but it just doesnt have much power left. now i have a 21' sport hauler, when fully loaded takes forever to get off the line.

so what i'm thinking about doing is trying to rebuilt the engine with higher performance parts and maybe make it stronger. or would it be better to go with one of the gm performance crate engine since sdpc2000 has a 350 engine for about ? or so. i'd like to go the lower cost route since i need to also upgrade my drive train. if anyone has any suggestions that would be great.

February 26, 2001

In order to make this decision wisely, you need to do a couple of things. First pick up "How to Rebuild Your Small-Block Chevrolet Motor" and "How to Hotrod Your Small-Block Chevrolet Motor". Both are from HP Books. These books will give you a step-by-step how to which should be able to tell you if you are capable of this and if you have the proper tools.

Check with a local machine shop on what they charge for services. Check their reputation. You will be very dependant on their services.

There is quite a bit more to building a quality engine than changing rings and bearings over a case of beer.

Let me know if I can be of any help, I've built a lot of engines from different manufacturers.

Shaners · February 26, 2001

I build engines for a living (4500 hp 16 cyl diesels for locomotives). Building and/or rebuilding engines is not something a backyard mechanic can really do very effectively. There are alot of special tools that you will need to either buy or rent. Plus figure you'll be down for at least several weeks having the block and/or heads machined. GM makes alot of optional low, medium and high horsepower crate motors. For alot of people just changing out a long block with a new one would be quite a challange. This is the time to have the tranny done too. Especially if you are planning on adding some extra horses.

If time is not an important factor and you feel like you want to tackle the job, then try to rebuild it yourself. You'll have great satisfaction when that thing cranks and fires for the first time.

I personally would buy a crate motor and then just do the swap myself. This is mainly because I don't have the time, and I would get enough satisfaction just saying I changed it myself.

NeXuS1 · February 26, 2001

so far those have all been the reasons i lean towards a crate engine. i really dont have the ability to be without anything to drive for weeks. and its hard to get a true cost on machine work till i have my block out and at the shop, then it may go over my budget. and now when having ppl help me price parts to rebuild this block, or even a new block. its hard to beat a gm performance crate engine.

like this one

http://www.sdpc2000.com/cart.as....pid=115 i would still have to get other things but that would cut down the cost and time on that end of it. well i have till april to really decide.

GH6702 · February 26, 2001

If you wanna go with a crate engine, check out www.goautocenter.com. They use new gm blocks. If you want a rebuilt one, try www.beckracingengines.com They'll have just about any fuel injected combo you want. And they are all 50 state legal.

StingRay · February 27, 2001

I installed a 350 300 horse GM crate engine in my Malibu. Easy install and no question about the performance that way. The engine are all test fired at the factory so that eliminates alot of worry.

February 27, 2001

StingRay,

What did you pay?

Was it a long block? FI or carb (or did it matter)?

StingRay · February 27, 2001

Friz,

Longblock without intake, carb and distributor. Rated at 300 Hp at 4000 rpm and 369 lbs/ft torque at 3600. It uses a cast iron version of the Corvette L98 heads. I payed ? with tax for it. I had to shop around for the best price. The price varied about ? depending on the dealer. I bought it in '95.

GM has added the Vortech heds to it now and rate it for 330 HP now. And they still go for about ?. Which is a steal for a performance engine with a warrenty.

February 27, 2001

NexuS1, I know that I could not build my own 330 hp for ?.

That is an awesome deal. If I'm not mistaken, all GM motors come with a 50k mile warranty. I know my 95 replacement did( I just checked the invoice). The dealer charged my extended warranty ? for the 350 long block(no vortec).

76BBSub · February 27, 2001

NeXus,

What year is your truck?

Original engine size, etc?

Generally, the crate motors are great for the money, although I had the 350 rebuilt in my '74 Corvette, including some mild head work, for about ?. Depends on if you know of a good shop you can trust.

Jeff

NeXuS1 · February 27, 2001

1989 GMC Sierra SLE, has a 350 stock, still in too. the more i'm seeing i dont have the connections to really rebuild this one. so i guess the next thing is too start the hunt soon for the best deal. and research stuff.

HiG4s · February 27, 2001

Well the crate is eaiser, but if you can do it, you always get more preformance for the money doing it yourself. The decision should be made basically by asking yourself two questions. 1: Are you sure you know how to do this? 2: Do you have the time to do this?

February 28, 2001

Quote: from HiG4s on 5:04 pm on Feb. 27, 2001
Well the crate is eaiser, but if you can do it, you always get more preformance for the money doing it yourself. The decision should be made basically by asking yourself two questions. 1: Are you sure you know how to do this? 2: Do you have the time to do this?

I disagree. In order to do it yourself, the machine work must be contracted out(at a minimum). Crank, block, and basic head work would run you up around ?-800 at the least( if everything is still useable). ?.00 worth of guts is NOT going to build a dependable 300 hp. Go with the crate motor.

HiG4s · February 28, 2001

I can find machine shops much cheaper than that!!! and if you don't always need to machine everything. That's what micrometers are for. If you tear it down and everything is out of round and wore you can buy a new block for ?, just check the ads in SuperChevy.

If you are not looking for a lot of HP you can get a 250hp Chevy 350 crate for ? with factory warranty.

(Edited by HiG4s at 5:39 pm on Feb. 28, 2001)

NeXuS1 · March 1, 2001

well the gm performance engine at sdpc seems about what i'm looking for 330 HP and about 2k was my budget. just have to pay freight.. too bad i didnt have money when they offered free shipping on the engine. well i dont have money right now anyways. i will in april. just trying to start research.