Hey guys,

I'm in California and have an '88 Iroc vin F. After finding out that rebuilding the 305 is basically pointless, I've decided to find an '87 or newer (for the one piece rear main seal) 4-bolt 350 block and build an engine w/ vortech heads and sdpc base. This is my first time building an engine and am still on the fence as to whether to build a 350 or 383 stroker. Anyway, here's my question: I've found a local guy here that can provide me with the block I want. He hasn't given me a price yet, but I'm assuming it will be a few hundred. However, I've also been put in touch with a guy that has a low mileage '85 corvette 350 engine complete with tpi unit. He used to transplant these into Jaguars but has since stopped. This motor has been sitting in a hanger for about 10 years and he wants $1000 for it. Should I consider shelling out the cash for it or go with my original plan of starting with a bare 350 block.

Money is a consideration here. I had planned to build the engine gradually over the coarse of this year.

Please point out any flaws or errors in my reasoning and give me some advice with respect to the complete engine.

Thanks,

Aaron

 

First off, you living in the smog **** capital of the world, you need to consider emissions.

With the Vortec heads and the Vortec TPI base, you have to plumb an external line for EGR. I don't know if this is EO approved in CA, so you might want to save some time and $$$ and check this out first.

If you do go Vortec, if it were me...for a nice torquey, powerful, but still everyday driving reliable engine, I'd look for a 400 small block. With a good cam, Vortec heads, and a mild TPI, I'm sure that 450 + ft/lbs of torque and 400 HP would NOT be a problem, and you could do it on the cheap....

Of course, technically a 400 swap is not legal in CA, but I don't know how thorough they are about checking casting #'s.....

If not the 400, you might consider a 383. For the $1000 you'd spend on a STOCK 350, even with low miles, you'd make more power per $ in the long run.

For $1k, you could get a 350 core, have all the machine work done, and probably still have enough left to get the stroker crank, if not the whole engine rebuild kit you'll need.


Just my 2 cents.

 

Yes, California emissions is a big concern to me. I can't afford to put something together that I might get away with. I hadn't noticed the lack of an egr on the sdpc manifold. That was one of the reasons I had shied away from the Holley Stealth Ram, although I'm thinking I might like to go that route. However, I don't know if I can still mate the vortec heads with the HSR. Does anyone know? In any case, I can't be too hard to plumb an egr for either scenero can it?

Thanks Chris, for your input.

Aaron

 

You can always pay off a smog tech, like I do :rockon:

 

Right now you cannot use the HSR with vortec heads, but they, Holley, will no doubt catch on to the craze and step up with something to offer. I have a 383 and it is no where near it potential and I'm loving it. I don't have emissions to worry about though. IF it were me, I would shy away from the 400 only because, like you said, what if you have trouble with the smog police. 383s and 350s are good enough, and later when you are hungery for more power, bolt a blower onto it and away you go.

 

Thanks for the feedback, guys...

 

You cetainly won't pass CARB with an HSR. You could get a Superram plenum/runners and bolt it up to the SDPC base... that'd be legal.

 

I just bought the 350 block (4-bolt main/one piece rear main seal) and a set of vortec heads. Paid $400.

/me heads off to buy an engine stand...

 

Thats a killer deal.