Hi guys, I've been researching awhile but can't come up with a definitve answer on obtaining a stock 5.7, 1988 350 crate motor. Would this motor work? Will the stock 5.7 TPI intake manifold bolt up?
http://www.crateenginedepot.com/stor...8-P63C273.aspx


If anyone can help steer me in the right direction I'd be most thankful. My IROC that I've owned for 16 years has finally 'given up the ghost' and I need a new motor. Where can I get a new motor. Thanks a bunch.

Mike

 

Tpi, and all acc's should bolt directly onto that, assuming your car currently has a 350, it should be a direct bolt in. not a bad price on that engine either.

 

"Flat style lifters."

 

I don't think that engine is a direct match for the engine that came in your car. However it will work for your application. I believe that's the 350CID engine that often gets referred to as the "Universal 350" which has a flat tappet cam shaft and makes 290HP/330TQ with a carb. The L98 came with a hydraulic roller camshaft. I believe you can install one in that engine as it should have provisions for both flat tappet cams and roller cams. If not a retrofit kit can be used if you desire. The heads are no doubt a different casting than the L98 heads but may be similar. 290HP is actually more than the L98 made stock. Installation of the TPI hardware should cause the HP numbers to fall but you should gain a slight increase in torque which should put it in the ballpark of the L98 engine.

If you go with that engine, you may want to take the opportunity to install a new cam and get some added power vs. your stock setup.

 

To the best of my knowledge, GM no longer makes replacement TPI engines. They no longer make the head castings for sure. You can get a roller lifter 350 short block, but not the heads.

You can get a rebuilt. My brothers bought from these guys http://www.rebuilt-auto-engines.com/...01109299967.f1 , one for his '93 C1500 (specified roller lifters, 083 heads), the other for his '92 Suburban (standard swirl port LO5). Both were well done, both still running without problems and a lot of miles. You don't get tin or rear main seal carrier, but they supply the seals & gaskets.

 

More Info on the motor you are looking at: I got this info from Jegs web site.
only 200HP, you probably will not be too happy with this motor

http://www.jegs.com/i/GM+Performance...68758/10002/-1

 

You would be better off with this motor
http://www.jegs.com/i/GM+Performance...99529/10002/-1
see this post for more info:
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/engi...te-engine.html

 

Not a good choice:
- flat tappet lifters
- 2-piece rear main seal
- low compression ratio
- '86-earlier heads (and pretty poor ones at that)

 

Thanks for all of the input guys. There's so much to consider and I really didn't want to get a 'dud' motor. I figured that at least a stock '88 IROC motor would give me what I have come to expect from the car and I could add on to it from there. At least with a 'stock' replacement, I know what I have. I had a motor replaced ages ago when I owned my first IROC (1986) with a Jasper rehab and it worked well but I sold that IROC not long after...

I know the car isn't gonna burn up a quarter mile with the stock motor. This IROC is the 3rd IROC I've owned. I've had an '86, '87 (both 305's), and finally this '88 (350) which has meant so much to me over the years. I even kept this car after I bought and eventually sold my old 2001 Z06 Vette. I'm trying to get a good motor delivered and installed for $4000 or less. I'd like to get the best product that I can as I'm not made of money, and these are some tough economic times.

Mike