This is going to be a little while down the road, but I figured I'd get a few opinions on the subject now.
I'm in the process of getting an 89 Formula with the 305/v8 and auto tranny from a friend. I know I will be dropping a 350 crate in it in the near future. Problem is, I want to try and keep this whole project on a budget, but get as much HP for the buck as I can. Am I better off just getting a 350 short-block and changing everything over or go all out and buy a good crate motor?
Here's what I'm looking at:
Scoggin-Dickey part#10067353 5.7 350 w/8.5-1 comp, cast nodular 3.480 crank, 4-bolt main, 72cc c.i. heads, hydraulic cam, intake not included---$1,479.95 (rated at 249 HP)
or:
Scoggin-Dickey part#12486041 330HP/350 w/9.1-1 comp, same crank, 4-bolt main, Vortec 64cc Heads, Hydraulic cam, intake not included---$2,222.80 (rated at 330 HP)
or:
Scoggin-Dickey part#12496968 330HP/350 Deluxe w/same as above but also comes with aluminum dual plane intake, Holley carb (600 cfm), HEI distibuter, water pump, harmonic balancer, flexplate for automatic trans. Same compression as above.---$3,349.80
So what's the best "bang for the buck"? The ONLY thing attractive about the 1st one is the price. But by the time I purchase all the extra parts it may end up costing as much as the 2nd one. Is the $1,100 difference for the 3rd compared to the 2nd money well spent?
What would you do?

 

I have the $2200 engine. Here are some perks over the goodwrench motor:

Late model roller block (non roller cam, but it will accept one if you want)
Nodular Iron Crank
LT1 Powdered Metal Rods
Hyp pistons (not much better than cast...)
Vortec heads (you want these)

I ran 12's with the stock 350HO early this year.

 

Are you personally able to pass emissions with your set up? Just curious.

 

Im assuming the Formula has TPI??? I would check out the L98 short block at Scroggins....dont know the part number, but its made by AC/Delco...get that and put a slighty bigger cam, and do some porting on the heads...should be a good budget car. The 350HO deluxe isnt bad though....just might see if the cam is computer compatible if you are using TPI....good luck

 

It's a TBI. My buddy is trying to talk me into building a motor from scratch, but it just seems that crates are cheaper in the long run.

 

I see...I thought all Formulas were TPI...guess it was an option. Crate motors are easier....dont know about cheaper. If you really wanted to keep the TBI, I would look to maybe find the BBC TBI injectors.....I think they flow better, but Im not sure. I dont know too much about TBI. You could find a good short block, get the 383ci Eagle rotating assembly and some vortec heads/intake and the ZZ4 cam......all of those parts minus the rotating assembly could be found at swap meets, Ebay, etc. That would be a MUCH better motor than the crate.....but to each their own. If you really wanted, you could even through a Holley 650 on it....and dump the TBI. Could be a 400hp 383ci, with all kinds of torque.......good luck.

 

You're right in certain respects....the BBC TBI's flow more air with a 2 inch bore whereas the SBC have a 1 11/16" bore. I think edelbrock makes a manifold that has 2" tbi bores....that should feed some power to whatever he is trying to build. I dunno for sure about the injectors specifically though...have to look that up. If you wanna stay cheap, it'd probably be cheaper to build from scratch....get used parts, clean them up, get a rotary tool and pocket port everything yourself. That would be cheaper than buying "new" parts....plus you could make everything to your own specs. If you do go crate though....get anything with vortec heads.....those will do wonders for your "bang for the buck" philosophy. good luck with whatever you do.
Lc

 

Hi

I have owned the Goodwrench 350 and it was the worst engine EVER it burned oil so Bad the i had to keep oil in the vehicle with me at all times , I had it replaced 3 times at the dealer as well with the same results, Finally wised up and now have the 330 hp crate engine NOW this is a GREAT small block no oil burning at all and good respectible power as well, I hope that i was the only one to have such problems with it I would be carefull I would not wish these problems on any one, Good luck .......Buy the 330 hp you'l be happier in the long run or Build you own...later GTA,