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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Engine/Drivetrain => Topic started by: Buddy on March 14, 2011, 10:27:28 am

Title: thinking about new motor
Post by: Buddy on March 14, 2011, 10:27:28 am

Ok, just about have my truck done and it has a stock 305 that works fine. i was thinking that over the summer i would like to start saving some funds and maybe try to build myself a 350. thats about all i know. i have no clue where to start. i would like to make this motor some what of a power house, meaning i love the sound of a truck with a big cam. Mileage doesnt really matter to me as this is my weekend trip to the coffee house truck. i just like to go for cruises with it. i just want to make it a little cooler. So my question is this.  Where do i start, do i just go find a old block and go from there. i really have no clue about the needs to build a motor but i want to learn and I know i can do it. any advice here would be great just looking for lots of feed back. This is not something I am going to start today. I just want to have a project for the truck, a little upgrade if you will. This is something i will work on over the next 12 to 14 months or as the funds premit. I dont need a crazy motor that going to cost me 10 grand or something. I was thinking i should be able to build something have decent for 3 to 4000.00. Is this a dream or is that number even close?

Title: Re: thinking about new motor
Post by: jaredts on March 14, 2011, 11:42:11 am

$3-4K will build a pretty good 350.  That is also enough to buy a pretty good new or rebuilt 350.  I hear you can get more bang for your buck building your own, but there are some tempting crate motors out there in that price range.  Food for thought.

Title: Re: thinking about new motor
Post by: roadrage41 on March 14, 2011, 11:50:37 am

http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/techarticles/67838_budget_vortec_head_cam_355_build/index.html

watch craigslist and classified ads towards the end of fall / beginning of winter and again in early spring, alot of guys selling motors and parts during those times.

http://sdparts.com/details/gm-performance-parts/12496968

Title: Re: thinking about new motor
Post by: Buddy on March 14, 2011, 03:15:38 pm

So where do I start. I don't think I want one that already complete and than tear it down... Do I. Or do I just start with a block that is good to go? Is there anything I need to look for or any old 350 block will do. Also what if the motor was blown? Would that block still be good?

Title: Re: thinking about new motor
Post by: roadrage41 on March 14, 2011, 06:25:21 pm

The advantage to crate motors is there's no guesswork for the most part, and usually a warranty. The disadvantage is they're usually pretty underpowered. Building your own is gonna take some research, there are a million articles out there on a million ways to build a budget small block. The one I linked was literally the first Google result for budget 400hp 350.

Title: Re: thinking about new motor
Post by: beastie_3 on March 14, 2011, 07:47:39 pm

Edelbrocks Performer RPM kit produces 410hp and 408 ft/lb

Title: Re: thinking about new motor
Post by: beastie_3 on March 14, 2011, 07:49:15 pm

Page 14 tells you what you need....

http://www.edelbrock.com/automotive_new/mc/crate_engines/pdf/crate_cat.pdf