Hello all, I was just hoping to get some input from some people.

I have a 1985 z28 5-speed with an 305 LG4, the LG4 is knocking, has been for a year, the car has been kind of parked. The body is in great shape.

I keep going round and round for an upgrade. I have heard a few problems with aftermarket crate motors like Blueprint, etc....

My eventual goal is ~400 hp, decent reliability. I also want to reiterate, there is more work going in on this, Single belt conversion, T56, electric fans, midlength, new cooling system aftermarket guages, longutbes, or something(I don't want ground clearance issues)

I have alot of working going on at once, as well redoing the engine bay to make it much more presentable, so I do not mind having like ~250 hp for awhile, just to get the car on the road and rolling and eventually upgrade it more later. It will be a carb setup, and I want to keep it this way, I plan to keep the car looking subtle, some dressing up but nothing too flashy.


But for now, I want to get a crate engine in. I want some input.

1st Crate Engine
GM Goodwrench 260hp, 350.
$1600
Replacement 73-85(so its actually kind of a replacement anyways)
http://www.jegs.com/p/Chevrolet-Perf...52506/10002/-1

Pros
-mechanical fuel pump, staying kind of stock.
-Cheap, simple, I will be upgrading later why not start off easy and save money for later.
Cons
-less hp
-I have a Lt1 T56, I may need a different balanced flywheel. (I have to research more but I believe I will need an aftermarket flywheel for around $500)

2nd Crate Engine
GM performance 350, 290 hp.
$2100

http://www.jegs.com/p/Chevrolet-Perf...55609/10002/-1

Pros
-Similar to first motor
-$2100, cheap
-30 more hp

Cons
-Less warranty by 2 yrs(not that its that critical)
-costs, $500 more for only 30 more hp.
-Same as Engine #1, including T56 issue.

3rd Crate Engine
GM Goodwrench 350 L31-R, hear 255hp(not advertised)
86-2000 Block
$2100
http://www.jegs.com/p/Chevrolet-Perf...32025/10002/-1

Pros
-Roller block(supposedly better?)
-Factory flywheel, might work with T56(have to research some more)

Cons
-need an electric fuel pump(no mechanical provision)
-only 255hp, but costs same as a 290 hp older style block
-loose some '85 heritage, but not the end of the world.

4th Crate Engine
Year One Crate Motor
350 ci, 400 hp.

https://www.yearone.com/Product/1982-02-camaro/ct350pc1

Pros
-400 hp! about where I want to be
-Price is more, but not the worse
-haven't heard anything bad... but havent heard anything.

Cons
-aftermarket engine, not GM, less warranty
-Haven't heard much good from aftermarket companies
-engine side of the project might be done(always fun working towards the next "mod"

 

The L31 is a hard deal to beat.It is advertised @ 255 HP net, as installed in an OEM vehicle.If you take an L31 & dyno it,w/ a 750 carb & headers,you'll hit the 300HP mark.That 260 & 290 HP is the same engine.GM just charges you $500 for a larger cam.They are very inefficient,low compression,gas guzzling engines.If you buy either of the 2,buy the 260 & install a cam better suited than the 1 in the 290.With they're 76cc smog heads & low CR,they won't support much cam anyways.The L31 is roller & very easy to hit 400 HP without breakin a sweat.If you take the L31 & the 260,or, 290 HP crate & set tthem up in similar vehicles w/ the same supporting parts,the L31 will walk a dog on that 290,or,260.

 

Just going to throw this out there. I was in the same boat as you. I had a great platform but the motor was pooched. I also looked at crate engines and still had to spend extra for intake, covers carb etc.. The option that worked best for me was that I went to a few engine builders and had one built one for me, Total cost was about $3500.00 Canadian all in and probably would be about half in US for 370 HP on the dyno. I installed it. Just an option I would check out before ordering a GM crate.

 

Flywheel - any engine will likely come with an auto flexplate. You will throw this out. The L31 (1986-2000) is definitely a one piece Rear Main Seal (RMS). The 260hp says it is 2-piece RMS, the 290 are Year One engine (seasoned 4-bolt) probably are 2-piece RMS as well. This means expensive aftermarket flywheel to make the 2-piece RMS to LT1 T56.

L31 - you will need a Vortec style intake manifold.

If it were my choice, I'd go with the L31 all day, every day. This fits your desire for good power to get you on the road. When the time comes for more power, machine the heads (springs pockets & valve guides) for up to .550" lift, stick a bigger cam in and eat your cake!

 

Year One deal seems great to me, Hyd. Roller cam is a nice bonus, I personally will never do a flat tappet again...

RamJet 350 is my choice though for simplicity, EFI, warranty... It's a big commitment but it does add value to the car, more so than a carb swapped longblock. It is completely tuned also which to me is worth about $500...

Goodluck, lots of decisions!

 

All good info... I didn't realize the L31 crate could make up to 300 hp, with a nice intake, carb, exhaust...

 

The Ramjet is basically an L31 with the 395 cam & 1.6 roller rockers.It is a good option'but'the MEFI controller is not tuner friendly & the factory tuning sux.You can get the L31 for less than half the cost of the Ramjet 350 & easily build it to 400 HP for far less.You can still use the Ramjet intake w/ the 0411 or even the Vortec black box controller
& have better tuning capabilities & for far less by buying the intake & only the pieces you need.

 

Almost all the attraction to crate deals is a lower price.Trust in the fact these companies don't need friends.That they are in business for profit margins.To maintain their profit margins,it forces them to put up for bid the builds of these crate engine where the lowest bidder gets the contact.For certain you end up buying engines where the pricing has forced cut corner parts build.You buy the package and only hope you get close to what you paid for and now own.

I think if you work with a trusted machine shop for a build,it removes all doubt and money better spent.

 

Agreed, but I have never really seen any complaints in reliablility or build from crate motors.

Also finding a good block is kind of hard, they are not common in junkyards and if they are, they are usually in a truck with some 180-200k hard "workhorse" miles on it.

I do agree I am not too keen on the aftermarket ones like bluepoint, I have heard nothing but praise on the yearone, engine, but I haven't heard alot of info about it so I am leary.

 

It's hard to beat $2000 for a brand new,not,rebuilt GM engine like the L31.Not to mention a 100,000 mile/5yr warranty.I have 310,000 on the Goodwrench L31 in my truck now.I'm rebuilding the original which had 250,000 miles & still going good.Just had low oil psi @ idle.Look @ some of the pics in my profile.You can see there was very little wear for a 250,000 mile engine.It was used & used hard but taken care of.Pullin 6000 lb of horses & trailer,mudding,truck pulls & still driving 100 miles a day to work & back.It's just a good platform for the money.

 

2 grand for not the same as Joker's engine.Rather a import and those import costs taking away from what you get for 2 grand.

 

Do you guys have any suggestions for a carb/intake manifold and fuel pump setup for this? I am thinking a small electric pump on the firewall.

Also will I have any issues or concerns while mounting accessories? I have a full single belt conversion sitting around.

 

Intake, Edelbrock Performer. Carb, Holley 650.

An electric fuel pump needs to be the proper size. And, it belongs back by or in the tank, not on the firewall.

The stock setup would be the easiest, and shouldn't have any issues.

 

I bought an L31, used a hydraulic flat tappet cam 218 218 .465 lift with 650 holley doublepumper and headers. it made over 320hp and ran 13.7 in my 87 GTA auto with 308 gears. It also got 16-17mpg. Not bad for a $2k engine. Ive always been curious if these 290hp crate engines really make that much horsepower. I have my doubts but if it does then buying the 260hp engine and swapping a cam seems like a good buy also. Getting a brand new engine makes these crate motors a great buy for the money any route you go