Engine SwapEverything about swapping an engine into your Third Gen.....be it V6, V8, LTX/LSX, crate engine, etc. Pictures, questions, answers, and work logs.
Welcome to ThirdGen.org!
Welcome to ThirdGen.org.
You are currently viewing our forum as a guest, which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our community, at no cost, you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is free, fast and simple, join the ThirdGen.org community today!
I've been circling this 1977 Caprice for a couple weeks now, and I think I'm going to take the plunge. As I began to contemplate building a 350 for it from scratch, the proposition became more and more intimidating. Then took a look at Dart's website, and noticed the MSRP for their SHP short block vs the bare block. They are built almost exactly how I was planning myself, and they cost about as much as a do it yourself job. So I am now pretty set on just buying the whole short block. So I head over to Summit to see what else is out there. I stumble across a GM Performance ZZ350 short block, and it's even cheaper! So now I'm torn. Both have some pros and cons. This will be a 4000lb daily driver with a 200-4R, EQ 64cc vortec heads, an HSR EFI, 3.73 posi, and target output of 400HP / 430 Ft.Lbs. with a 5500 redline. Also considering a 75-100 shot NO2 system.
Another concern I have with the 372 is the inability to rebore the block. If I'm spending the money, I'd at least like to get a rebuild or two out of the deal. I'm assuming you can't rebore those blocks. Is that true? Also, since the increase in displacement is all in the bore, would it really help low-end torque all that much, or just high rpm HP? Damn these compromises. I wish I could get the Dart block with the GM displacement, crank and rods, and the Dart pistons!
I just took a look at the Dart website, and the maximum recommended bore is 4.165, so I guess it's got at least one rebuild in it, maybe two, hell that could be 300,000 miles worth of block, so I guess it ain't much of an issue. Do companies usually "season" blocks before they are assembled into short blocks?
Hmm... maybe I should try to find a machine shop that builds short blocks from remanufactured blocks. I might be able to get some goodies that aren't options in the Dart or GMPP short blocks (total seal rings, partial block fill, blueprinting, etc.) any recommendations in the Connecticut area (or guys that ship for cheap)?
Check out YEAR ONE. They have thier "Power crate 350". 400+hp,400+lbs/ft torque,9.5:1 comp,Ported vortech heads,dyno-tested w/ dyno sheet, 12 month 12,000 mile WARRANTY(Key words!) for 2,990.00 +tax and shipping. thats a HARD deal to beat!
I agree, a warranty is important, but a 12,000 mile warranty sucks. IIRC the GMPP crates come with a better warranty than that. You could probably find a local shop that would give at least a 50,000 mile warranty. And, I'm sure wherever you buy an engine from will be able to ship it to you for only a couple hundred dollars.
That YearOne crate is a great buy, but I have two concerns: the cast iron crank and the stock vortecs. I've heard that the OEM vortecs were prone to cracking due to thin castings, and I'm not sure if the iron crank is up to the job of handling that amount of horsepower/stress for 100,000+ miles. Any thoughts? Would it be worth it to look for a somewhat more pricey crate with EQ, RHS, or GMPP bowtie vortec heads, and a steel crank? Or is this being overly paranoid about component failure for my HP/Tq window?
