Have a 1984 Z28-305 186k miles. Thinking of going ZZ4 with a newer 3rd Gen 700R4 or a fast burn 383 stroker. Any suggestions? Things I might need to know?

 

Yeah i'd suggest finding a used 5.3 or 6.0 longblock from a newer chevy pickup, install it with gmpp intake and msd box, carb of your choice, and maybe a cam, make more power and leave you with far more potential.

 

Cheaper?

 

It all depends on how much you pick the engine up for, how much power you are looking to make, how nice of a setup you want, etc.

 

I want around 400hp. If I only get 360 no biggie. Street car. 2800 stall, sub frames, 3.42's Lower and Upper CA's. strut tower. might spray if someone can respond to that in Power Adders. Let me know about that set up though your talking about. Thanks bro

 

The 5.3 would do that easy with a cam swap, the 6.0 you could probably do it without even touching the cam, you SHOULD be able to get the 5.3 for about a grand with front accessories, without injection setup, 1600 or so for the 6.0. Edelbrock intake kit with box to fire the injectors is 700, custom Y pipe you'll need, and wont even need headers to make power past that point, though custom pieces may be required when you do decide on them.

You'll also need a set of motor mount adapters, they run under $100 iirc

Spray will only make the setup more fun.

 

Might be asking for too much here. But is it possible for you to PM me or reply back on this thread with a direct link to those motors? Ill be buying one soon. next few weeks to months. Need to make the best decision. thanks alot

 

Search ebay some, also look around on www.ls1truck.com in the FS section, you can also call local junkyards in your area they were used in 99 and up chevy 1500 2500 3500 trucks, the 4.8 and 5.3 will be in the 1500 and the 6.0 is a 2500 and higher, also in vans and the gmc line also, you'll want a longblock with front driven accessories, no intake or wiring, do need the coils with brackets still on, and you'll need the oil pan from a 98-02 camaro or firebird.

 

I'd stick with the good old small block like the zz4 or 383 you were thinking of. They'll drop right in and you can use all the accesories off your old engine.

 

wow what a good idea, spend more money for less power, to avoid having to bolt on a set of motor mount adapters and change a few wires

 

I guess your an expert at this swap with your 305 . The small block can't be that bad if Chevy produced it for about 50 years. I'm sure he could make the same if not more HP with a sbc for the same if not less money. Do the exhaust manifolds, oil pan, and accesories fit? There's alot of little things that come up during an engine swap that you don't think about till you tear into it.

 

Wow 176 whopping posts, man you've just been around here forever helping people, OH MY *** someones got a 305 car, that DEFINETLY means they have NEVER done an engine swap, especially around here...


Look guy i've worked on more thirdgens than you've ever driven, I didnt say the small block was that bad, but obviously the Gen3 has enough refinements to replace the 50 year produced gen1, the exhaust manifolds do fit into the chassis, as i said the oil pan from a 98-02 camaro or firebird is needed, and the truck accessories fit fine with the exception of clearance in the K member for the LS1 style compressor mount, which can be worked around IF he even has a/c, which a lot around here dont, if he does there is also aftermarket brackets that will reuse the stock 88-92 compressor and mounting location.

 

First of all blackgloves was asking for suggestions. You gave your opinion with ls1 style engine and I gave mine with using the small block. I have nothing against the Gen3 engines I'd love to have a late model 4th gen F-Body. But for my T/A I'll stick with my GM Crate Engine. He mentioned the zz4 & 383 so it looked like he was looking for a new engine not used. Since I have experience with GM's old 300hp Crate and the ZZ4 I recommended the zz4 or 383 plus they come with a warranty. You don't know what your getting with a used engine.

As far as my # of posts who cares. just because you have more posts does'nt mean you've helped more people it just means you like to more than I do. Also I never said that you never did an engine swap . The way you were talking sounded like you've done the swap but then I saw you had a 305 still.

Look GUY buy the time you were 8 years old I had my first 3rd gen and was wrenching on it. As far as you working on more third gens than me lets stick to facts not fiction. Also why would you waste all the advancements of the Gen3 engine and put a carb on it what a waste.

Have a nice afternoon talk to you later

 

Doesnt matter that you were wrenching on a thirdgen when i was 8, just means at the time i was wrenching on 2nd gens and various other cars, big deal

Most of the improvements of a gen3 engine arent limited to the intake manifold and computer, they are in the head and block design, he wants to run a carb im not going to argue with him, but why shoot yourself in the foot running an older design that wont make as much power for the $ just to have a "new" engine, the only thing you get with a NEW engine is the trouble of having to break it in, im certain he's not going to have that crate motor installed by a certified mech, so out the window goes the "warranty" a used engine can very easily be bought from a reputable salvage yard with a 3 month warranty, by then you better know if it works or not.

As far as my current motor, that has jack to do with what i know about swaps, next you'll be lecturing me on how much trouble an LT1 swap is :nono:
Someones current ride / engine has no direct impact on what they have done, owned, or modified, learn that, learn it fast.

 

I might break in here. I had a 305 in my IROC when I bought it. It was not a very strong motor, so I swapped it with a strong 355 I had in my Corvette previously. I never looked back. That heart transplant woke my IROC up like you wouldn't believe.

Personally, not to bash anyone's opinion, but I really don't care for the 305's at all. The small bore and long stroke has terrible shrouding issues and was a smog solution before GM figured out how to make bigger engines perform and still pass emissions.
Even a small 283 or 302 would easily run circles around a 305, fewer inches notwithstanding.

But like they say, different strokes for different folks.

 

Nobody here is suggesting the 305 as a performance motor, just this frank guy ASSuming i dont know what it takes to do an engine swap due to me having a 305, the 305's can move, though not a good idea for performance if you have some sense, the 305 is only remaining there because it is the factory engine for the car its in, and the numbers seem VERY VERY low for the G92 package 305 cars made in 92' , let alone black w red stripe heritage edition. And the G92 305's were known to run with if not beat the 350 cars, go figure.

 

To be fair, I've known some guys who can get 330 hp out of a 305. And that does put it ahead of a stock L98 350, for example. So yes, they can be built.

Before I bought my IROC, I test drove another 305 IROC with a Paxton centrifugal supercharger. The 305 was definitely tired, but with the blower, it could really haul in the upper rpms.
I would've bought it and ran the 305 to this day if his price was more reasonable.

 

To be fair though, I have driven blown v6's that hauled major *** too. Once you boost it, you have changed the displacement ballgame. If you go apples to apples though, the 305 just cant pull it off.

Z28, dont feel bad, when my car was still a V6 guys used to bash the hell out of me. They just couldnt understand that I wanted my daily driver (that was driven 125 miles a day) to get good gas mileage. Some people just never understand.

 

Oh i dont feel bad, i've done so many swaps with thirdgen stuff it isnt even funny, the car i traded for the 5.0 car was an 88 with an LT1 / T56, full suspension / brakes, all autometer gauges, etc...

 

What say we keep it technical and not try to make it personal?

Until the originator has something else to say/ask, the rest of the playground antics can cease and desist.

"Well, he hit me first..."

Enough already.