Hey guys, it was reccomended to me that I use an L98 block from Autozone cause its only $800 bucks. In theory could I get this motor, change the intake and swap on a TBI to go in my LO3 bird? I'd get the 350 stuff from a Caprice or a truck, and use the Edelbrock TBI maifold etc. Is there any reason why this woldn't work? Anyone used an engine from Autozone? Seems like a reasonable cost effective way to build a solid 350, am I wrong?? Any responses would be appreciated, thanks.

You can get a NEW longblock from GM for between 1200 and 1600, depending on what you want... rebuilt is rebuilt... I bet they have a good warranty, though, and if you are not building a 400hp motor, a 300hp 350 buildup should be just fine. If they honor the warranty with engine mods.

I worked at AutoZone for a year. The $800 engine is prolly the Series 1 right? Baaaaaaaaad idea. You see, they replace only the parts that are OUT OF SPEC. So if there's a bearing in there that they find is still within spec, they leave it. I also saw some junk on a returned Series 1 that lasted 3 months. They bored out ONE cylendar to .030" over! Just one. Now I'm not a bettin man but I think that would play hell with that balance of the whole thing. Also, on the same engine, they refinished only 5 valves and left the others as is.

I wouldn't be so apprehensive of the Series 2 engines, since they are actually a REAL rebuild. They also come with a dyno sheet, and they're broke in when you get 'em. But for the price of one of those your better off going to the dealer and getting NEW stuff. A Series 2 L05 is (I think) $1500 and my L05 from the dealer was $1820.

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'92 Astro, GM crate 350, Holley Pro-Jection Intake, MSD 6AL, 3.42's, 2.5" exhaust, Flowmaster 40 2 chamber, B&M 2nd stage shift kit, 255 60 R15 tires on AR-727's, TBI Bored out to 48mm and Polished , Custom EPROM in progress

I agree. I've had such bad luck with Autozone (and so has everyone else I've known), that I won't even buy shop towels from them.

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91RS convertible 355 TBI 65# inj. custom compcam grind .480/.480, Edelbrock TBI manifold, open element, hedman hedders, Y-pipe, flowmaster single chamber, cop car chip, Accel coil, wires, vacuum controlled FPR. 2.02/1.6 cast iron heads. Engine specially made by Pflugerville machine shop. Forged bottom end, balanced. Coming soon: , Torque converter, DIY PROM, bigger TB.

Certain things should be used from the parts stores but some things should never make it into your car. I wouldn't install any engine or tranny from them. I would use small parts that don't see any abuse, eg. Gojo orange hand cleaner , coolant, oil, fluids, fittings, and hose. Never get their tools unless you can't get to a sears for at LEAST craftsman. No way would I install a waterpump, engine, or other parts unless it said "AC delco."
Keep your GM car all GM!

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, Jon (350 TBI!)
91 Red My website

That's the type of engine people put in cars to make a cheap sale. They're right up there with one day type paint shops. My uncle got an engine like that for my cousins first car, a 70s Mustang. The 302 ford died 2 months after the warranty.

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-Tas
'89 Formula WS-6 made in Van Nuys, CA, U.S.A.

305, TBI, 700R4, P.A.W. 14x3 open element with K&N, Milodon 160* thermo, functional Formula hood, cross-flow Flowmaster, '99z28 rear pipes and tips, Hooker 1-5/8" 50 state legal headers, Dynomax 3" I pipe (PN 44063 and 43248)
Super GRK_Taz World
F-Body Dual Exaust
EFI & Intake Options

[This message has been edited by Tas (edited December 14, 2001).]

Thanks guys, thats kinda what I thought too, but just wanted to hear it from you guys. So if I wanted to build a real mild, 250-300 hp 350, which engine would be the cheapest way to do it? An LO5 with a set of heads and an LT-1 cam? Or a 350 crate from GMPP? What about some of the other engine dealers like SDPC and etc.? I really don't have a lot of money but am gonna need a new engine soon, by the time the sun rolls around again in spring for sure. What do you guys think?

If you are going to buy a new L05 http://www.sdpc2000.com/cart.asp?act...id=128&pid=105 the LT1 cam, edelbrock tbi intake and performance exhaust would have you over the 250hp mark. If you are going to change heads too then you might as well just get the L98 short block http://www.sdpc2000.com/cart.asp?act...id=514&pid=620 for $300 less and use that $300 to buy heads. If you buy the GMPP 350HO http://www.sdpc2000.com/cart.asp?act...id=120&pid=115 which is a great engine you will have to adapt the TBI to run on it (adapter for vortec carb intake) and route your egr from an exhaust manifold to the intake since there are no egr provisions in the head.

JP, is that why you have a Stewart water pump and a Holley tbi on your car now

LOL