OK All, as the winter draws on, it keeps ticking me closer to purchasing a new crater motor to drop in my car.

I'm still minorly confused as to what the differences are between the 85 and earlier block types and then the 87 and later.

My car is a 88 Iroc originally with the 305TPI. I want to swap my TPI onto the 350, obviously changing the injectors, knock sensor etc...

I just dont know what to be looking for.

I want a good solid base to start with (225-275hp range), dont have to be super high performance. 2bolt main and 1pc rms will be fine, I dont foresee ever going much above the 300-350hp (with add ons... runners, high flow base etc...) line ever.

Is there any GM Crate motors that will fit the need I am looking for?

Also, what places should I be looking at? I have seen summitt, Jegs and sdpc2000 etc... is there any place else I should be looking?

Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.

 

http://www.rebuilt-auto-engines.com/...59106435409.fc

Rebuilt, but meets your criteria. Specify 083 heads when you order. You can also upgrade the cam if you like.

Downside is you'll have to supply the tin and RMS carrier.

 

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

Seem like a good site...I am going throught the same issue currently, wanting to swap out my 305 for a 350 or 383.

 

Yeah, I have looked at them before. They look like the same outfit as the rebuilt auto engines.

Prices seem reasonable until you tack on the core fee and then cross country frieght then its pushing the 2k range.

Trying to debate if thats the preferrable way to go or looking at something like the GMPP L31 Crate and adding ZZ4 heads (would that be possible??)

 

L31 shortblock and ZZ4 heads, no problem.

Oh, the differences between years. Assuming 350, pre-'79 had two-piece rear main seal cranks, perimeter bolts on the valve covers, non-roller lifter cams, dipstick on the driver's side of the engine. '80-'85 same, except dipstick on the passenger side of the engine. '86 same, except on-piece rear main seal crank. '87-up had in addition center bolt valve covers, roller lifter cams (some trucks had the casting but wasn't machined for the roller feature), center two intake manifold bolts on each side are 72 degrees instead of 90 degrees like the rest. '88-up used self-aligning rocker arms.