THE BANDIT-Z

Hello im considering a crate engine for my 85 IROC-Z (305 T.P.I/700R4).My original engine is still running but i dont know for how long? I dont know much about building an engine from the ground up,so im going towards a crate engine. Im from south, Tx and im currently looking at several options(engines) from "goautocenter.com" . They are located in Tx too,so shipping wont be that costly I hope.
1.GM 350 T.P.I / 300HP / $1955.
2.383 STROKER/VORTEC HEADS / 325HP / $3750
3.383 STROKER/FAST BURN HEADS / 500HP / $5750.
What engine do you guys recomend? Also is this a good site buy an engine from? If I do get either 383 ill be considering a better intake system.Ive heard good things about the TPIS miniram lll made for engines with vortec or fast burn aluminum heads.
Will this be a good set up 383/miniram. Im willing to spend no more than 4 to 6k on the whole engine. All comments or any positive/negative remarks will be greatly apreciated, Thanks.




THE BANDIT-Z

iroczman380

Well Id go with your number 2 engine, stuff a sdpc Base on it , Some slp runners and a hogged out plenum and call it a day. A well built vortec headed tpi motor can pull low 12's with no problem. Do a search for mike crews, or 1bad91z, there both flyin and they have pretyy much the combo that your suggesting.
However Id suggesting swapping the cam and going bigger, like something around 218/224 duration, and around 500 lift. The vortecs flow good around 500 so thats where your cam should be as well.

Anyways with a good cam, (Comp xe seies)
Some good vortec heads/spring upgrade, valve job
Sdpc Vortec Tpi intake
SlP runners
58 mm throttle body

your looking around 400 horse on a 383
and probably almost 500 ft lbs. (Flywheel)

THE BANDIT-Z

Thanks man, I also would like to know if this is a good site to buy an engine from? Any good or bad experiences from buying with this guys(goautocenter.com) please comment.


THE BANDIT-Z

iroczman380

Well to tell you the truth, I dont know much about that site, but from looking at their prices, their just buying engines off other dealers and overmarking them big time, go here

www.wheelermotorsports.com

Get the 383 short block for 1200, then Get some of their vortec heads with the 1.94/1.6 valves, and upgraded springs.
their heads are only $5-600 and their very good quality. I picked up their vortec heads and was very pleased.

The site you suggested wanted to sell a 383 long block for I think around 4,000 with steel crank and stock rods. That is a rip off.

You could get the heads, and shortblock from wheeler and spend around 1900, then get the sdpc vortec base, and now your at 2400!!! You still have 1600 left to spend!!! I wouldnt reccomend that site at all.

Check out www.sdpc2000.com
and www.wheelermotorsports.com

For 4000 you can really build up a stout engine. Even if you dont know how to put the heads on (not hard at all) then pay someone too or get someone to help you, either way it wont come close to 4000. 4000 is more then enouph to build a 12-11 second motor imo.

iroczman380

91DropTopTA

I bought the 300 HP 350 from these guys and so far it looks to be a pretty good engine. I went with them because there have been some other guys who had their motors and said they were running great. One of the guys dynoed the engine before it was put into the car and it made as much power as they are advertising. As far as overpriced goes, the engine I have is a GM 350 which they put a cam into. It is a totally new engine with a crane cam put into it and it still comes with a good warranty, so I got a good price. If I had put a cam in it myself the warranty would have been no good. Shipping was only about $120 to Louisiana, and I think they have real cheap shipping in Texas so it should at least be lower than that. I'm having trouble getting mine tuned, but that's due to the swap in place of a 305. The engine itself runs great.

91B2L

I think goautocenter has good prices, but why spend $3750 for 320 hp when you can spend $3300 for 357 hp from scoggin dicky. It evens comes with the vortec TPI base.

91DropTopTA

I was really looking at some of the scoggins motors, but ended up paying $1900 for the 300 hp 350. I figured by the time I get a chance to put heads or anything else on it the warranty will be up anyway.