engine swap

[82chevy]

hey, i have an 82 chevy k10 that im doing the body over right now. it has an 87 tbi thats on its last leg. im considering getting a gm goodwrench replacement that has 200hp and 300ft/lbs. its for 1987-95. i was also looking at a gm performance 350 that has 290hp and 326ft/lbs. but that engine is for 1970-85. can i use the gm performance engine with my tbi? im pretty sure i need a different style intake. im sure it can be done but i dont want to use a carb. what other parts would i need to make this swap work. i also have a turbo 350 trans

[VileZambonie]

Why not have someone like me rebuild your existing 350  Definitely keep the TBI. Either engine will work if you want the goodwrench but the earlier one you'll have to elongate the 4 center intake bolt holes.

[Fordeatinz71]

you should be able to bolt on the TBI just fine.  the reason it's different is in '87 they changed to the centerbolt valve covers (different heads) and they changed the side the dipstick came out on.  also a few other things but i'm tired.  

just elongate the bolt holes to accomodate the TBI intake and you'll be fine

[82chevy]

id rather just get a new gm motor with a warranty instead of getting mine rebuilt. either of the motors i listed are around 1700. i was planning on getting an aftermarket intake any ways so can i get one thats for the older style heads but can be used for the tbi instead of elongating the holes?

[VileZambonie]

You can rebuild yours with all nice accessories for less than that. AS soon as you open that Goodwrench up and put in your cam and do what you want to it kiss the warranty goodbye anyway. There is nothing wrong with elongating the holes it will not hurt it. Just torque the bolts in sequence and repeat the sequence at least 3 times.

[eventhorizon66]

If you do go with a crate I would avoid the 290hp engine.  Just go with a 260 hp Goodwrench.  The cam they use to achieve that 290 hp kills the bottom end and is completely inappropriate for a motor with 8.5:1 compression.  Don't just take my word for it, do google search and read what others are saying about it.

[VileZambonie]

post the spec sheets on both engines if you will...

[82chevy]

here is the 200hp center bolt http://www.jegs.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_10001_10002_753961_-1_10763

and here is the 290hp engine    http://www.jegs.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_10001_10002_755609_-1_10763

i was planning on leaving them stock for a while and just putting on a different intake and a set of headers. i only really now the basics on engines and will be installing it with my dad at his autotech shop

[VileZambonie]

Are both those links the same?

[82chevy]

sorry, it should be fixed now. after looking at them i kind of like the 260hp version because its has more torque   http://www.jegs.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_10001_10002_752506_-1_10763

[VileZambonie]

http://www.jegs.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_10001_10002_753961_-1_10763
Is an overpriced boat anchor

http://www.jegs.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_10001_10002_755609_-1_10763
Is definitely the better of the two.

[82chevy]

thanks for the help. what do u think about the 260hp engine? it has more torque than the engine with 290 horse. id rather have more torque considering that its a work truck

[VileZambonie]

Well that engine will peak torque at 3900 RPM and is listing peak torque.

The 290HP engine is listing torque at 3750RPM. It will most likely peak torque at around 298 Lb-ft.

Here's some formulas you can play around with to better understand the mathematical relationship between HP and Torque

HP= Torque X RPM ÷ 5252

Torque = 5252 X HP ÷ RPM

Now keep in mind manufacturers like to graph peak #'s at a given RPM. Obviously you won't be looking for practical usable torque values at 6,000RPM the reason why they list a lower torque value then the engine is capable of producing in many cases. In other instances they will cheat and post peak values to have people buy their product based on just looking at #'s they print. So keep that in mind. Most Dyno results are given at where peak HP and Torque cross at said RPM

On another note None of those engines are all that much better than stock for the price and the quality of the parts being used. If you are dead set on a goodwrench before you buy one from Jegs go right down to your GM dealer and beat the guy up at the parts counter and see what he'll give you for a price. You may also avoid a freight charge this way.

[VileZambonie]

I hope that didn't sound too confusing. What I was trying to convey is pay attention to HP and Torque #s they give you but if they aren't listing both at a given RPM the #'s really don't help you any and it's a sort of false advertising a lot of manufacturers do to sell you what you want to hear. EVERYONE and their brother seems to like to inflate HP and Torque #s like it's their johnson. So be aware if that made any sense. Maybe I should have drank beer last night instead of a cup of tea lol

[Lt.Del]

http://paceperformance.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=224003


http://www.lowcostengines.com/engines.htm