Engine and transmission replacement options

[ken4444]

Looking at Summit Racing, JEGS, and other sources, I can get a great 383 and 700r4 for around $9,000.  That combination would probably be durable and offer plenty of power.  Other than going with used parts of an unknown history, can anyone recommend a less expensive route for a replacement engine and transmission that will offer more power than the factory offered? There may be no magic solution, but I'm wondering if I'm overlooking some obvious choices for an engine and trans that will drop into a mid 80's C10.

This Blueprint 383 is one example:

 https://www.summitracing.com/parts/mll-bp38313ctf1/overview/

Here's a "level 3" 700r4 from FTI:

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/fti-700r4-3h

[75gmck25]

I am sure you will get many replies like, "why would I spend that much for a crate engine when I can build a 383 stroker for $xxxx.xx dollars"?   What most of those guys don't really calculate is the price of all parts, cost of machine shop work, time to assemble (even if it is your own time), and all the other things you might you may have to buy to make it work (i.e, intake manifold, EFI, etc.).     

There are also many guys who want to try to get the same horsepower with classic double-hump heads and a high duration flat tappet cam, but in my opinion, putting that much into an old head and cam design not worth it.

Based on the description of that Blueprint engine it is a complete 383 stroker with fuel injection.  You would still need a water pump, flywheel, electric fuel pump, and a few other parts, but it wouldn't take much before it would be ready to install.  And then it would only take a couple of days to pull your engine and drop the new one into your truck. 

The Blueprint cam is probably right on the edge of being too much for a heavy truck, but it should work fine.  The 700r4 has a good 1st gear, which should help bring the RPM up quickly into the right range, and you might want to consider a 2500 rpm converter to help even more.

That particular Blueprint engine is too rich for my tastes, right now, but I think it would be great combination in your truck.   I'm looking at some of their cheaper engines that are in the $4k range, but they are 350's and they don't include EFI.

Bruce

[Captain Swampy]

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/nal-12530283/overview/

This engine has vortec heads and roller lifters. Find a nice Lunati or Comp cam designed for off idle to 5000 RPM.  Something similar to this https://www.summitracing.com/parts/lun-20080660. (We have a TBI engine). You'll need an intake to match the vortec heads.

It's just something different to think about.

[ken4444]

Thanks for the replies and info. They're a reminder that the details matter in a given engine, and a great engine isn't necessarily suited for a given application.

I did stumble across one answer to my own question: A possibly good source of a likely good engine and transmission is in an already built truck. As I heard years ago, "buy someone else's project".

While I have some mechanic skills, I don't know if I would personally build a 383 from parts to use in a daily driver.  I'd have to build a different engine or two first to get the experience. The level of assurance I'd get from a warrantied, pre-built engine would be good.  I can see, however, that many folks could take a box of new and used parts and put together a great engine for low cost, but I don't have those skills right now.