im looking to spend about 4k on a crate motor and switch my 89 firebird over from tpi to carb. any sugestions? i'd prefer a preformance engine with high horsepower

 

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MLL-BP3830CT1/

This is probably one of the better legitimate deals you'll find.

Usually if you want something really nice you do it yourself, but if you want a crate, blueprint is decent, and a vortec 383 is decent too. It still has a flat tappet cam which is not a good idea these days, IMO. But if you want a crate you'll never get exactly what you want.

If it were ME... I'd get one of these:

http://www.jegs.com/p/Chevrolet-Perf...32025/10002/-1

And then put an Edelbrock Performer RPM (or Performer RPM Air Gap) and an LT4 hotcam in it. 325-350 fwhp for $2500. Not too shabby.

 

Yeah I am not a big fan of crate engines mainly because the reason they are a deal is the weak links that have be included to be priced the way they are.