I have 2 91 RS cars, both with over 190K on the engines. I am kind of new to all this and I was wondering if I should get the engines rebuilt or if I should just drop in the BASE 350 crate engine? Trying to do a low end budget build as they will both eventually be street cars. Not really looking for a 700HP supercar.

 

It might help if you could post a link to whatever 350 you were considering. Or were you looking for ideas on that, too?
Getting an LO3 rebuilt is poor power per dollar, unless you score some 081 heads.
Buying a crate 350 nets you a warranty, but you still spend at least 50% more than getting a salvaged 350 and having it machined, then building it yourself.
If you just want easy, then get a new LO5, (NOT the Goodwrench 350 or the 290 HP 350 )
The GM part number to get is 12568758. That'll get you 200 HP and 310 ft-lbs. It'll feel stronger than your old LO3, even with no other changes, besides maybe injectors and maybe a chip.

 

rebuild a 305?? why??? you looking to keep your numbers matching?
Low budget... dose that mean everything is going to be stock?
would it not take about the same effort/price to do a 350?

I gave my fully functional 305 away w/ the trans.. wish u would have posted then

 

A full rebuild will probably wind up costing about as much as a crate, imo your best option is to get a 350 shortblock crate, without the heads if you can, then just throw some new stem seals and o-rings at your heads, and swap them and your intake manifolds over, replace WP, alternator and starter(optional, though I would at least do the water pump, unless its relatively new).

Also this depends on the 305 and 350 having interchangeable bolt patterns(pretty sure they do, but not 100%, since I'm a 60/6 guy myself..) But if doable, its the most bang for your buck imo.

 

Are you seriously suggesting LO3 heads on a 350? Even with dished pistons?

 

As I stated, idk the specifics of the v8 platforms, I didn't think the 350 uses different sized combustion chamber and piston volume sizes than the 305. But if it does, it would definitely need to be checked whether or not that would be viable...only suggested something to check into, not as a definitive solution.

 

If you do end up buying a crate,my advise is there is a company called Recon,I have owned a 350 from them and they are junk.

 

Here is the link for the crate I was going to buy...

http://www.classicindustries.com/cam...ts/g13013.html

 

Forget that one. More cost and hassle than it's worth.

 

Ok, thats out. I guess I will go with the one you suggested. I like it. Here is the other issue: I know nothing about dropping an engine in so what's my best option....... find a local shop who will hold my car hostage for weeks to put it in OR have a dealer do it and pay more but have a quicker turnaround (MAYBE)???

 

Sell the cars and buy 1 good one with a "new" motor. If your gonna have GM or a garage install one and build one you could buy a Nice looking, good running camaro.

Though i dont know what your cars look like, they might be in great shape, but if there not, Search craigslist. I think to buy the motor and all the parts, then have a shop or gm do the install is gonna cost an arm and a leg. I could be wrong, but i know around me, its not cheap.

Any third gens i see for 4-6k are gems. Without you doing the work yourself am sure its gonna be around there to get the car done. And not to mention, you have 2 to do

 

Seriously, talk to your local automotive machine shops. They will know who in your area is the best guy to ask. Or they may offer this service. In this economy, they're not backed up with work, and they can get a 305 out in a couple of hours.
The swap is the easy part. Just wrenching. Now you have to find the answers here on TGO about the injectors and the chip. So some searching, and if that fails you, then ask a moderator for a link or 2.

 

1 is in pretty good shape... The other was my first car that I just happened upon after 12 years. It really just needs a headliner, dash pad, and new front seats. And I already have the seats and headliner ordered.

 

I will call a few shops in my area tomorrow. A guy at work says he knows a guy thats 2 hours away from me who would put it in for $700 if I brought the engine to him.

 

What's wrong with that 350 that was linked? Seems like it would be a pretty good motor for the price....although classic industries is overcharging, summit has the same mill for $2k.

 

Dude... low budget my a**... if you have that to spend you could do any of the following.

You could get an LS1 for that price (most likely without trans, mine was $1700)
You could most deff get an LT1 w/ trans + harness and maybe pedals
You could get a LQ4 (maybe not a 9)
YOU COULD BUY A RUNNING IROC FOR THAT PRICE....

should I keep on??? Other then the mileage, what's wrong with your current engines? Tune it up then Seafoam the heck out of them and see if that helps. It will clean out all the carbon buildup you have (and should cost no more then $30). Trust me you will notice a difference.

My advice to you, do some homework.. buy an assembly guide, get some tools and start working on your own car. It's not as hard as you think. Trust me, I'm a noob too I cannot afford to take my car to get worked on every time something is wrong.

 

Thought about an LS1... I know they are popular but I was gonna do that in my '95 this winter. Only gonna do 350's in the 3rd Gens.

 

i just purchase a crate engine, 350 CI, 350 HP, 360 TQ, from precision engine (http://www.precisionengine.com/) out of texas. rick was the sales man and really answered all of my tech questions. the basic package was $1500 but i went for the upgrades and spent $3900. i was like you when i stared this project and wasn't sure if i should rebuild or go crate? if your concerned about keeping numbers matching then rebuild, if not , go crate. either way it will cost the same. i went crate and kept the old engine. i plan to rebuild it for future use. you never know.