So I thought that a good project for this winter would be to tear down and rebuild an engine from a junkyard and then swap it into my bird in the summer. Honestly I don't know that much about engines (i kinda want to use this as a learning experience as well) so I'm just looking for some input from some of you wiser and more learned individuals. I've searched around a bit but I want to know what options are available to me and the pros and cons.

 

Welcome aboard thirdgen.org.

How set are you on rebuilding an engine? What are you willing/able to spend? Do you want to keep fuel injection, or go with a carburetor?

It would be simple to recommend a 350 with Vortec heads and a 650 carburetor.

The only sane manual transmission to consider (IMHO) is a T56 - the LT1 T56 bolts to a Gen I small block Chevy, but the LS1 T56 does not.

The LS1 is a fantastic engine. You can find a used LS1/T56 for about the same money that a similar power Gen I 350 would cost you to build. You'll never get the economy out of a carb'd Gen I 350 that you will with the LS1.

You can probably see where I'm going with this, but we'd need more details about your intentions and capabilities in order to give any better answers.

 

Well I would like to go with something naturally aspirated, definitely a v8. i was looking at one of the 455 swap threads and was kinda looking along those lines. I am a bit set on rebuilding, mostly because I dont have the money to buy something like an LS1 which I have heard are quite expensive to swap. Plus id really like to have an engine to experiment with. Like I said I really dont have that much money, which I know is kind of neccesary for this kind of project, i guess that saying "you get what you pay for" holds true, but I figure if I can start with a cheap engine for say $200-250 from the yard, then when I have more income I can start beefing it up.

and thanks for the welcome, I look forward to being a part of the thirdgen community.

 

actually I was just talking to my dad, and he said that a 455 would be too big anyways, unless the suspension was modified and thats something i am not looking to do. But i forgot to mention that I have been tossing around the idea of a turbo, so i guess whats the biggest motor i can fit without major modifications to the suspension or such with a turbocharger?

 

A turbo really adds to the complication and expense. You basically have to build the engine for it, meaning beefy parts and specialty details like cam. But, you can turbo any size engine, the limits are the same regardless.

The suspension doesn't need to be beefed up any more for a Pontiac 455 than a BBC, and plenty of people have done both. Personally, I think you're biting off more with a Pontiac than other choices, but there are complicating details regardless of what way you go.

Let's take your NA SBC 350 and work from there: $250 for the core (a bit high, but you should find something decent for that). Rebuild kit, hypereutectic pistons, moly rings, flat tops for about 9.3:1 CR with 64cc heads, bearings, $270. Machining (hot tank the block, bore cylinders, install cam bearings and freeze plugs, turn crank) about $400-$500. Aforementioned Vortec cylinder heads - I like the sdparts.com kit that includes upgraded heads, Performer RPM intake manifold, rocker arms, bolts, gaskets for $1100 plus shipping. The likelihood of getting junk yard 350 heads that are worth a hoot is slim, even if they are you have to figure on rebuilding them, and add the cost of an aftermarket intake when you compare what you're getting with the S-D kit.

Comp XE268 cam, lifter, and timing set kit (flat tappet), $225. Holley 650 double pumper carb with electric choke kit, $400 (if you even think for second an Edelbrock carb is "worthy", I'm done with you ).

That combo, with headers and good exhaust, is good for over 400 HP. You're at about $3000 now.

Ah, good exhaust - headers (Hooker 2055HKR, for instance), and a good cat-back will run you about $800-$1000. Add $135 if you need to keep a cat. None of your V6 stuff will work.

You still don't have a transmission. I saw LT1 T56's going for about $1500 with flywheel, clutch, hydraulics, and tranny. If you stay automatic, your V6 tranny won't work, a stock TH700R-4 will need beefing up to handle 400 HP, and you'll need a good converter. Figure on $2000 to be safe.

You're at $6000. And that's NA.

I picked up a 2000 LS1/T56 with clutch pedals and hydraulics, PCM and harness, for about $4500 shipped to a local dock. It'll cost another $2000 or so to get it installed and running, more like $4000 by the time I get the rear end beefed up and do headers and custom exhaust and other stuff I'm doing. LS1 is much easier to do power adder.

Just a couple of examples of what you're looking at.

 

Well check this guy out for the whole 455 http://webpages.charter.net/ta455/

He did all this with regular stuff too.

Best bet for a budget build is to go to a scrap yard get a 350 block(try to get one out of a truck) and start form there with Dished Pistons, forged connecting rods, and a good cam lunati has great small block cams(in my opinion) if you want you can get aftermarket heads or try to get some decent reman'd ones. holley 670 if you wanna keep it economic or go get a 770 -870 and you will be on your way. and get msd ignition pack and wires and a built in coil.

Now for transmision honestly i say get a T-5 and build it to withstand around 500 ponies and bolt that on and cut up your floor and insert a manual center console, but if you stay auto get either a th350 or a 700r4 and throw a shift kit in and redo the valves and stuff put good synthetic trans oil and synthetic motor oil in the MOTOR. An i would say that would put you on your way.

 

dp

 

The 350 isn't a bad idea.. truck or not really doesn't make a difference if you just want a block.. some trucks have 4 bolt mains which really doesn't make a difference with most street engines, and if you are planning on making a ton a power a 2 bolt block with splayed caps would suit you better most likely.. most of those carbs listed would probably bog a moderatly built 350 down and make it run like a dog... msd stuff is typically a huge waste of money on anything near stock.. Good luck on building a t-5 to handle that kinda power.. why would you even try considering all the other options out there..
Anyway to the origional poster what are your goals for this project? I'd read 57's post if I were you.. its actually has useful information in it..

 

670, 770, 870 CFM - Street Avenger Holley vacuum secondary carbs. Horrible waste of performance $'s, and don't belong on any engine the will have a manual transmission behind it. Don't belong on anything that doesn't tow, for that matter.

Yes, you can get a kit to beef up the T5 transmission. Costs about 30% more than a good eBay T56 set-up.