Hello everyone, new member here.

Ok, so I have a 91 z28 that I blew the engine on some time back...its been sitting for...*cough*a few years*cough*. (it overheated and seized)

Now I have a roommate, who needs a car, and weve decided to split the cost of getting my ol baby back on the road.

My uncle is an excellent mechanic, and will do all the labor for nothing, we will of course, help out.

Uncle suggests to get a crate engine.

Now, my question is, whats my best bet...just get a replacement 305 (part# 12518296?) or pick up a 350?

I would want to use as many of the parts that are currently on the blown 305, on the new one to save $$$.

Also Im seeing a wide margin in costs, from nearly $2000, down to about $1100ish, whats the difference? Should I consider new vs remanufactured?

http://www.rebuilt-auto-engines.com/...42105135724.e1

Versus.....

http://www.sdpc2000.com/catalog/123/...ate-Engine.htm

Is "new" worth the money?

In my area I have no vehicle inspections, or smog laws to worry about.

I guess what Im really asking here is whats the best bang for my buck, trying to keep costs as low as humanly possible, but considering that I might like to beef it up a bit in the future (thats why im considering a 350, over the 305)

I read the other thread, "how much did your swap cost?" and I really dont want to spend 4-5000 bucks on this.

Thanks for your input!

 

Welcome aboard.

Don't settle for a 305. There's absolutely no reason for it.

My brother got a 350 from rebuilt-auto-engines.com, specified 083 casting heads, didn't return a core (costs as much for shipping it back as you get back for a deposit), loves it.

If you get a new crate from SDPC2000.com, at least get one of the 350's. Same or less price than that really lame 305.

 

Thanks.

Are there any considerations to be made for dropping a 350 into a hole that used to contain a 305?

Ive always heard theyre essentially (exactly?) the same block (cept a different bore and stroke?) .

 

You should use a 350 knock sensor and module. A '91 will have a "speed density" computer system, which uses pre-determined PROM tables to adjust mixture and timing based on engine sensor input. When you change something like engine displacement or exhaust restriction, the conditions assumed for the tables are now different, so you need to reprogram the PROM accordingly.

 

And the transmission can handle it, yes?

Ive no idea what tranny it is...rock stock I would guess, 3 speed with OD is all i can remember.

I did put a shift kit in it not long after I bought it, I loved that it would bark em right up through all the gears.

Cant wait to get started on this, my poor roomate will probably end up driving my 04 nissan pickup, and Ill take my baby back

 

The transmission would be a TH700-R4. Depending upon what exactly the shift kit included and what it did to the transmission function, you may be okay with a mild 350. Barking the tires is not an indication of increased torque capability, however.

You haven't mentioned budget (other than less than $4k) or emissions requirements. Nor have you mentioned exhaust. TPI exhaust should be okay, but headers and a high flow cat will do wonders. If you have the 205 horse single cat version, you really need to get rid of that and go with a 3" system. Headers for '86-'90 TPI single cat (yes, I know that isn't what you have, but that's what you need) and cat & cat-back for same application will make a big difference. If you have the dual cat version (not likely), you can get by with that.

 

Yeah, I didnt mean that the tranny could handle it cause of the shift kit, I was just mentioning it...

If I remember, it had a spring to replace, and a hole to drill in a plate...standard B&M shift kit I think...RV or street use...

Budget-wise, Id love to stay around $1500 or so...free labor rocks

I did mention emissions, in that, we have no vehicle inspections, or smog standards here. (ya oughta see some of the smokers around here)

I think the biggest issue Ill have is all the "extras" that I "really should" get, if we choose the 350 over the 305. (computer, exhaust, etc etc...the list adds up Im sure)

Thanks for your help so far.

 

Read it too fast (again).

My typical estimate is figure on spending as much to put in an engine as you spend for the engine.