I have been reading about the pros/cons/myths...etc and would like to start a poll about engine choices. My reason for this is to decide what to do with my car, a 91 TBI 305 V8. The car will be driven mostly on weekend/off time and will have an upgraded automatic transmission. I will try to give acceptable engine choices. Please choose one and explain why you picked it. The 327 is given to see if this engine should be modified, or replaced.
I understand that this not vary specific, but I am primarily interested in what direction to go in.

Thanks,
Wastin

 

what's your budget?

 

My budget will depend on what time of mods/engine replacement I have to do. I don't have a set figure, but can't break the bank. Since I am unsure, let say what can be done for under $5k?

I am more interested in peoples knowledge about this stuff. A GN motor tweaked is a powerful setup with less weight. A small V8 with a turbo would also be lighter than a N/A 383, and maybe faster. I read the FAQ and would like to pick everyones brain about setups.

 

a sbc is a sbc. they are all dimentionally the same. a 262 sbc is going to weigh about the same as the 454 sbc. a turbo 327 would weigh more than an n/a 383 cause the turbo weight and all the extra exhaust stuff you'll need to do.

honestly, i would build up a mild 350 putting out about 400hp. that'd keep you grinning for a while. just use good forged parts for the bottom end. then, when you want to go a bit faster, slap the jug on it and have fun!

i guarantee that by the time you actually get a tweaked GN motor in and running, you'll have blown that $5k number WAY outta the water. probably by two or three times.

 

I had to vote for other, i am kind of partial to the GEN 3 engines. I have installed an LS1 and have done it for less than 5k and that is without selling the engine and transmission that were in the car that i sold for 1100. I do have more money tied up in other things like better suspension, and i picked up as many used parts as i could. With the LS1 you get great power, good gas mileage and a very dependable setup.

 

is 5k just for the engine? if you want to stay old school setups, a 400 is the way to go imo. we've put together a few 406's and they always make huge power for around 5k.

but i went with the newer LSx based engine

another good option is a basically stock L98 with a few pounds of boost. not to expensive, and makes good power

 

The 89 TTA totaled 3346 pounds. and an 89 GTA 350 weighed 3550. How would the turbo be heavier?

 

apples to oranges there man, the gta normally got options out the butt and would be heavier anyway.. and the tta is a v6 instead of a v8

i was also saying that a turbo 327 would weigh more than an n/a 383. they are both sbc v8's. but you have the added weight of the turbo on the 327, making the 327 heavier. it's all kind of a mute point anyway, cause both could make enormous power, and a few pounds here and there is nothing. you can take weight off elsewhere too. my car has an n/a 305 with iron heads and only weighs 3045lbs.

 

I had to vote other also.. If you dont have a buget, and just want to drive on weekends, Big Block it man. Having a big block in my chevelle, now soon to finish in the camaro, its worth the little extra expence. I run mostly stock engines, havent gone crazy with em, and i have about the same in them as i would a built small block. Tons of torque keep me happy. i could care less about ever going 140 mph, just get me to 60 before anyone else at the stoplight!

 

I totally agree.big blocks rule.

 

I own an L98 and an LC2. I like them both. The L98 because I can have instant torque off the line, the LC2 becasue after a second or two, I'm passng my L98 car. Both have their pros and cons. It depends on what you want out of it, and what yur budget is going to be. Honest. I have it easy, I can simply flip a coin to decide what I want to drive for tomorrow. Although a boosted 350 would be rather nice, if I had to pick... And what they said - building an n/a motor is simpler and has less potential problems then building a boosted motor - boosted motors need to be built to more exacting standards so they don't end up shoving the crank through the oil pan.