Have gone through most of the postings and learned a lot. I have a 87 IROC 305, 700R4. Last winter I totally re-did the suspension, front and back, finishing it off with a 12 bolt rear (3.73). The car is in great shape and I really want to keep it original (or as close to it)
I would like to replace the old worn out 305 with a 350 or 383 Crate Engine. In typical fashion I do not do the proper research and rush out and buy....usually ending doubling my budget. So this time I would like to take my time and get some opionions on what the best approach is. I would like to keep the TPI.
Any information/guidence/lessons learned would be appriciated.

Also, in my research I always run across a crate engine that seems like a good purchase but listed in the information it sometimes states for cars 1986 and older....are these off limits for emission reasons?

thanks for any assistance!

 

Buy a one piece rear main seal 350 from the junk yard for 100-150 bucks, tear it down to the shortblock and have the machine shop re-do all the bearings and clean it up, re condition the rods, and throw in some new ARP bolts. If the pistons and cylinder walls are in good shape you can re use the pistons. Then swap your TPI injection on.

I would personally go carb. Thats just me.

Zach

 

Welcome aboard TGO!

Usually the "86-earlier" refers to emissions. But it can also refer to configuration. Some significant changes were made between 1985 and 1987, the one-piece rear main seal being one of those.

What induction you use depends upon emissions requirements, and use. Carb is typically cheaper, but may get you in trouble with the emissions folks. TPI will work, get better mileage (typically), and be emissions-legal, but modifications for power will add up in the cost department.

I've seen a TPI car with the ZZ4 crate engine that ran great. He went a little farther and converted it over to a speed density system, but that isn't absolutely necessary. He used an aftermarket Vette TPI base (the ZZ4 has the same heads as 86-1/2 & up Vette TPI) and was emissions-legal.

When you get into 383 territory, you're pretty much looking at a complete aftermarket TPI system such as Superram, or Miniram.

 

we just put a gm ZZ383 crate motor in a 1935 pontiac at my work and that was a real nice motor. it was carbed not fuel injection. i would recommend any of the gm crate motors. the ZZ4 350 is also a very nice motor. that motor is also a very nice foundation for a healthy built up. we use ZZ4 350s in alot of the street rods that we build at my work. whats real nice about crate motors is that everything is brand new. and the price is pretty much unbeatable.

 

Thanks for the input so far...I use this car as a daily driver (warm months) and fuel efficency would be nice. Maryland does emmisions so maintaining that intergrety is important. I do not need a 300+ monster (yet) and would like to be about to, for better terms, plug and play a modest crate engine. I have seen a 350 for sale on GM Goodwrench site (350 w/290hp) that seems worth a look.

My current 305 has about 107k and really starts/runs great...it is just leaking from about 5 different places (that drives me crazy) and fixing it would require me to basically pull the engine.

As far going 383 stroker I would have to upgrade the TPI...would that mean ECU or just PROM?

 

I meant the hardware - intake, plenum, runners, etc.

The 290-horse is a 2-piece rear main seal engine. A bit of a downgrade, but tolerable.

 

five7kid...thanks, just to clarify I would have to change out the hardware portion of my TPI if going larger size engine?

I have ran across the Company below and they have pretty reasonable 383, have a co-worker who purchased one with no complaints....any thoughts...seems reasonable.


http://www.chevy-gas-diesel-engines....ngine-277.html

 

Looks decent on paper. Mostly OEM-quality rebuild parts. Knowing someone who is satisfied with their product is pretty valuable.

 

doesn't say anything about being balanced though? That could be a bad thing definetly would want to check in to that.

Also doesn't say anything about align honing.

that price seems to good to be true for what you're getting... All good quality parts and sounds like a quality rebuild....

 

thanks for all the input....

 

Scoggin Dickey has some great deals on crate motors. If you are on a budget this new GM hydallic roller motor for 1600.00 isn't bad. It has a small cam and the heads are the swirl ports so they are not that good for hi-perf. but if you got this motor you could just swap in new Crane Compu-cam and have an all new motor for less then 2000.00.

What's nice about this motor is that is comes with a new balancer, and hyd. roller lifters, timing chain, valve covers, etc. Do not need to buy much to get it going and its NEW!!

http://www.sdpc2000.com/catalog/123/...B-D-L0557K.htm

For additional specs on the motor.
http://www.paceparts.com/index.asp?P...D&ProdID=42937

 

383 shortblock is what i'd do, if i were at it again.

I really love my 350HO though, runs like a champ, bit of a cam to her, nothing crazy but noticable. very nice torque curve which doesn't fall off, it just keeps pulling.

now however i hate my y pipe, i hate my 2.73's wooden pirate leg style, and i hate rust.

let her breathe through some 2055's and u won't have to spend crazy cash on a nice y for LTs.



but other than that, i tend to dream of buying cool parts and rollin' with the "in" crowd. someday.