Hello, I have an 87 Iroc Camaro with a 350 engine. Recently the engine seized so it is now time to replace or rebuild it. I need your help on deciding what to do.

I have rebuilt a few 350s before but dont know if it is better to rebuild it or replace with stock crate engine or buy one at a wrecking yard.

I am not looking to gain more power or anything just looking to get a good reliable engine out of the whole situation.

So here are my questions.

1. If buying one from a wrecking yard. Does it matter what casting number the engine has? I need it to fit stock tpi setup.

2. If replacing with new crate, which one shoulf i purchase?

3. If rebuilding how much will i be looking to spend on parts machine work?

 

If you found a good 87-94 TBI 350 it would be cheap and work .but you would lose 30+ horsepower to the stock L98. I would just rebuild the L98 if that's what you already have I could see you doing it under $1500

 

Thanks. I can probably get a good tbi from a buddy for around $300 and like I said im not looking to gain any hp out of the deal.

 

That would be an easy and cheap swap-out. The TBI 350 will most likely have a flat tappet cam (if its out of a truck) and I may would change the cam to one with a lil better specs, maybe a summit k1103. If you find a 350 TBI in a Caprice, Roadmaster, or a Cadillac it will have a roller cam and then you could re-use your L98 cam for a bit more power than the stock cam has.

 

Find an '88-up 350 that has the roller provisions machined (B-body 350 TBI engines aren't easy to come by - light truck LO5s are a different story, and even though they come with flat tappet cam, many/most are machined for the roller parts). Assuming what you find is a TBI engine, take the heads off and find somebody that needs an anchor for their bass boat. Rebuild your L98 heads, put your cam & lifter stuff in the replacement 350 shortblock if they're still good.

Otherwise, rebuild your L98.