Just wondering what everyone thought of the following setups, just in preliminary planning stage. Everything else has been modified on the car, the engine is about all thats left (that I want to mod that is).

I am looking for a cruising engine, won't be raced much but with factory cars coming with 350+ hp I need to keep up!
I know this poll isn't accurate because of varying costs but htought I'd get some ideas.

 

welp, I'll actually reply since I voted. I chose NONE cuz...well, I didn't like any of those choices. Here's an option for you. Go to wheelermotorsports get a 350 short block for around $500 less than a ZZ4, ( and it comes with forged pistons), take those afr heads, HSR, and pick yourself a good cam and have lots of fun! Of course, you'll need a TPI harness and computer, along with some chip tuning abilities, but it'd be fun to teach yourself and tune for whatever conditions.



I jsut read that it's gonna be a "cruising" engine. Hell, get yourself a L98, cam, head work, and HSR, and you'd be able to keep up with those new 350+hp cars.

 

I've thought about an aftermarket dealer like wheeler, I am just a little learly about dealers like that; I've heard a few horror stories. Granted not all are like that.
As far as the HSR or the Holley Tbi unit they both come in packages with wiring harness, computer and I can plug my laptop right into them to tune them. I figure add a Wide band O2 and I can tune it the way I want.

I thought about an L98 instead of the ZZ4 since it wont see hard track use. I just figured if I am going to build it, better do it well and do it right.

 

I would say to go for the LS1, but not if all you are gonna do is the cam. WEAK...Get an LS1, send it up to Agostino or MTI and have them do a 415 or 427 with it. THen get a blower or some nitrous and then spend all the extra time and money to install correctly ensureing that the frame and rear end are sufficiently beefed up to handle 500hp!!! That sounds like the way to go indeed!!! Don't worry about expense, I mean what is money to guys like us anyway. Eating everyday is so over rated!!! Who cares if all your pants have holes in them, you've gotta 500+ HP mill under the hood. What else do you need!!!!!

 

Thats about 10k or so I am guessing? Thats without powercharging. I'm guessing 3k for a decent LS1, then over 1k for parts to make it work in a 3rd gen plus all the little extras I'm guessing that will be 5k or so FOR A USED ENGINE. Thats nearly topping my budget there I am guessing. I am not ready to do it yet so I don't know what my budget will be, but I doubt it will be 10k.

 

You'll spend about $6-$8 grand on an LS1 swap into a third gen, to get a nice cruising machine.

$3-$5 for a decent engine and matching tranny
$450-$750 on a custom wiring harness (www.speartech.com)
$1k in misc parts for mounting the drivetrain, correcting fuel lines, and a few other little things
$1k or more on emissions equipment, depending on emissions laws for your state. If you are one of the lucky ones, this may not be a factor for you.

If you want a 500hp LS1 under the hood, plan on spending about $5 more for decent head & cam package and a rear end that will handle it.

These prices are just for parts, assuming you are doing all of your own labor.

If this is out of your budget, then I agree that the L98 (350 Tuned Port Injection) is the way to go. Very fun, lots of low-end torque, and probably half the cost of the LS1. You can make a real enjoyable cruiser for a lot less than any of the other options you listed. I am in the process up putting an LS1 into my 89 Formula, 'cause I wanted a 500 hp machine. In a year or two, I'll rebuild the TPI and stuff it into a '76 Formula I've got.

If you do decide to go with an LS1, send me a PM. I've got an extra one for sale, really good shape. I was going to put it into my 91 RS, but I lost my job and the budget isn't gonna allow for me to have 2 LS1 cars, so the engine and most of the needed parts (and even the car) are all up for sale.

 

Well like I said the budget really isnt set in stone yet, that will depend on the lo3. Yeah if I did go with the LS1 I wouldn't change heads it would just be too much. I would change the cam and do alot with the pcm, but thats about it. Emmisions isn't a big deal because I can't pass them now anyways and will find some way to get around them.

As far as the one you have available I dont know when I will be doing this it will probly be a while.

In the end I would like something in the 400's and be decent mannered.

 

With the LS1, you can get real close to 400 rwhp with a good cam and proper tuning, that will have excellent street manners as well.

Heads, cam, and headers are all a big plus, but 400+ flywheel hp is almost a no-brainer with just bolt-ons and some tuning for most LS1 cars. All LS1's come stock with just a bit over 300 rwhp (slightly less for A4 transmissions, though).

 

I would like to get one with a T-56 bolted to it so I can convert that at the same time. I figure I can make the diffrence up with selling my probuilt.

 

I've got an extra T56 as well.

 

Yeah, I was just kidding!!!!

However, in all seriousness, a 383 from a well established crate motor company or GMPP would do very well for what you want!! I assume you are going for a powerful, street bound engine. 383s can be wonderful engines. And if you go with TPI, you won't lose any drivablilty or even give up much in the gas mileage department depending on what cam you use. Go for a mild cam with some proper tuning and you mileage won't suffer horribly. I would say to go with AFR for the heads, but they are expensive. TopLine(I think?) makes some nice heads as well as Trick Flow and Holley. Another company I just thought of is Canfield, they flow almost identically to AFR 190s and come in a few hundred less!! I had a friend running Canfields on his 408 in a Mustang and he was very happy.