Engine Opinion

[snyder661]

http://phoenixengine.com/Chevy-29.html

I am looking to upgrade my engine. The above engine can be turnkey to my door for $3200. What are your opinions on this?  I just want a mild street motor in my '77 2wd. I have a fresh th350 with a th400 stock torque converter, Hooker 1 5/8 long tubes, into 3" duals with 40 series knock offs (summit brand).

Any thoughts or opinion are welcome.

[rich weyand]

What's in it now, and how many miles does it have on it?

[stretch86]

http://m.summitracing.com/parts/mll-bp3830ctc1s for a lil more could get this and it has a 30 month 50k mile warranty. This is what i want to put in my 2wd suburban someday

[Irish_Alley]

for 3k you can buy a 400hp/tq motor from yearone. but its much cheaper to build your own, listen to rich

[snyder661]

Sorry fellas, I have been out of touch a bit. Uncle Sam has better ideas for my time.  I'll be home in about six months though and have a barge full of Chevy and Jeep parts waiting.

Currently there is a 350 in it with unknown mileage. Compression shows more than 10% differential between multiple cylinders. I ran the numbers on it and if I remember correctly it is a 1996 block, so it has been replaced at some point.

I don't have any hot rod buddies close to guide me on my first engine build, that's kind of why I was leaning towards a long block or turnkey. I am comfortable with bolt-ons an R2ing but after that I'd need somebody to hold my hand.

[rich weyand]

Get the 350/260 hp basic 350 crate engine from Jegs for $1500, and put the Comp Cams 12-235-2 (or 12-300-4, or 12-231-2, ...) cam in it.  No need to replace lifters on a new engine, but use the CC springs for anything other than the 12-300-4.  You'll get 300ish hp and over 400 lbft of torque, which is more important, and be out the door under $2000.

[snyder661]

Awesome, that's perfect!  I already have Holley 650 double pumper. Is that too much carb for that setup? 

[rich weyand]

Awesome, that's perfect!  I already have Holley 650 double pumper. Is that too much carb for that setup? 

No, 650 is fine.  More would be less good.  Get a good dual-plane manifold to go with it.  I have the Edelbrock Air-Gap Performer, which is great if you keep the Thermac air cleaner setup.  There's a way to hook up the Thermac to headers.  See this:
http://www.fullsizechevy.com/forum/general-discussion/c10-forum/498719-induction-system-350cid-headers.html

Put an H-pipe in the exhausts.  It makes a difference, and is cheap for the exhaust guy to add in place.

Don't use an Edelbrock RPM intake -- optimized for hp, not torque.  Wrong choice.

Read more about cams before deciding which one.  Bunch of stuff I already posted in threads shown here.
https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=%2212-235-2%22+%22rich+weyand%22

Further note: Pulling the engine apart and changing the cam will void the warranty.  Meh.

Second further note: No need to change the lifters AS LONG AS THE NEW ENGINE IS NOT RUN ***AT***ALL***.  They bed in really quick.

[mcintyrederek]

Agreed with the $1500 Jegs deal on the 260 HP rated 350.  That's what I have in my '86 C10 in front of a TH400 and 2.73 rear.  I used an Edelbrock 1405 carb with a stock iron intake.  I have no idea what kind of numbers I'm running, but I never romp down on it or rev it high anyway.  I will say when the secondaries kick in, there's plenty of power for that size of truck, considering the factory 4.3 was rated at 155 HP, it was a serious upgrade.

You can't go wrong with the Jegs Goodwrench 350.  I'm ordering one in a couple of months to go in a '63 AMC Rambler.  I'll spend the effort on making adapter plates and brackets before I'd spend the $$$ on making a crappy engine work mediocre.

Mack.

[76LongBox]

+1 on the GM crate engine from Jeg's.  That's what I put in my 76 paired with an Edelbrock intake and carb, TCI TH350 transmission, etc. and have been very happy with it.

[snyder661]

Outstanding. Thanks guys.

[philo_beddoe]

This engine would work also, use promo code, save 10 bucks.
http://m.chevrolet.com/performance/crate-engines/big-block-anniversary-427.html#.VkPP-F88LCR

[snyder661]

That. Link is taking me straight to the Chevy website.

[philo_beddoe]

My apologies, try this:

http://m.chevrolet.com/performance/crate-engines/lsx-454-r.html#.Vk8UnF88LCR

[snyder661]

Just an update, I finally order the Chevy Performance engine off Summit. They price matched to $1479. I already have the cam and I take here. Hope to be driving this thing by mid summertime. I have a painless harness and a 4/6 drop I will be installing at the same time.  Appreciate the previous help, I know it's been a long time.