my grandparents friends and family all know nothing about muscle cars, i work too much to go to school on side. im very passionate about cars, i bought an 84 z28. body in good shape, engine was taken out. I'm looking for some help here. what should i be on lookout for. a 350 out of an older Blazer? then buy a book about 350's and everything i can do to them. so over next several years im looking to pour in around 30 grand at least to make my dream car. Since im not gonna drag it much, i know i should go small block as well as for weight. I could really use a point in right direction, if i'm gonna do this all right, what block should i start with or engine. help would be greatly appreciated thanks

 

I'd say find which engine came out and put exactly that back in. Get it running and enjoy it while you spend hours and hours and hours reading and reading and reading all the stuff you'll need to know.

 

if you want a good start then here ya go. Find a older engine from a camaro or impala. If your not gunna drag it much I doubt ull need a 4 bolt main but it's always better to be safe then sorry. If the block needs it or you have the funds bore it and overhaul it. Reuse what you can such as rods and crank to save some money and just put arp bolts in to strength them. Otherwise buy new if you have the funds. If your looking for a decent head try and find a set of 96 or newer gm 350 vortec heads with the 062 castin number. They flow almost as good as a dart head stock but can't accept alot of lift. If they need work overhaul them and if you can may e find somone to do it cheap enough have the heads ported slighty. Just take a look at my sig this was my first engine build I only spent 2500 on this build. Just ran a 14.03 @ 101.11 last week but I've still got some kinks to work out. 30k is alot to spend on this car and as you get older you may see that you can spend ur money on something newer and make double ur hp now. Don't underspend but also don't go bannas on ur first build only to blow it up. Do alot of searchin on here and most times you will always find the answer ur lookin for.

 

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doh: Are you nuts man? Why not skip the 3rd gen and just make payments on a good used 5th gen SS for that kind of investment? At least you could drive it tomorrow...

If it's a long term project car that's captured your imagination and you're really commited to it then for my .02 worth, I'd suggest the LS format for power. Pick your size. They're becoming the new small block engine of choice. Then, it's just a matter of selecting a transmission, a new rear end, etc.

Good luck

 

 

im just looking to do the very best, my friend had a 350 out of an 80s blazer with 50000 miles on it, or if i should take my time and find another small block. so i was wondering if taking the block from that cheap, and then getting some books and just reading on how to completely build it up. I dont wanna take any shortcuts or get done with this and have me second guess it or someone else say ya know you really shoulda went started with this ya know. you guys know your stuff thanks alot for any help given. thats where i am right now.

 

Paint, chassis, sfc's, weatherstripping, wheels, tires, interior, under coat.

Or go restoration!!

ENJOYMENT--- PRICELESS!!!

 

i appreciate all the info, thanks, my buddy has a 350 out of a late 80's blazer, and said best way to go about it would be 350 and then put 400 heads into it. I wanna go no regrets and make this best street machine around as well as be very durable.. is there a better engine to go with?.. i plan on getting the block people recommend to me, then doing alot of reading about the block so i can build it up. I just want the absolute best block to start off with and then i'll take it from there. thanks alot

 

To help narrow down your decision, where are you located and what are the smog regulations?

 

well in CT any car over 25 years needs no inspections or emissions testing so i dont have that to worry about which is nice, all they care about is the paperwork and vin

 

The 350 blazer motor would be a good start. You can build it up for either carb or efi. It all depends on what is your goal.

Do you want it as a DD or just a hot street car? What trans do you plan to use?

Oh yeah, stay away from the 400 heads.

 

We have all been cursed here! Hey if you got the time to save up, check out GM's crate motors. They make respectable power and come with a warranty. In 84 your car was either carbed or Crossfire injected. Find out which it was because you may have to change some stuff like fuel pump and wiring to go with the engine package you want. Do a bunch of research, this is a great place to learn. Check out what others have done and what it cost them(money, divorces, mental problems etc.) Remember, if this was easy everyone would be doing it! Welcome to the Thirdgen world!

 

oh no i dont want a good start ha, i want to get what would be the absolute best block to start off then i'll work from there. i want to pour everything into this when im done i wanna be done ya know. hot street car i dont really want to drag it. maybe a couple times but nothing on a regular basis

 

i'll go with w/e engine package comes recommended to me, i would like to build it up my self thats only way im really going to learn, my goal i want to have the baddest street machine around. so im looking for absolute best block to start off with then doing alot of research and reading and take it f rom there ya know. all i know is now i dont want a big block too much weight other than that im open to suggestions i dont want respectable power i wanna start with what is the best and build from there not gonna cut corners. this is my dream and ill keep car till i die so i wanna go all out

 

The decision all depends on your goals and budget. For a lower budget I would go with a 406 or 383 using a production block. If you have a bigger budget and want to get serious I would go with either a large small block 427 or 434 using one of Darts new SHP blocks or go LS.
I personally feel that the LS family of engines are the way to go. They are much more efficient and its stupid easy to make big power with them. 6.0L iron blocks can be found for cheap and are very strong but the extra cost comes from all the little things you need for the conversion. There are several aftermarket companies making conversion parts now so its a fairly easy swap. The aftermarket is stepping up with more and more parts for them too. It sounds like you want streetable power and LS engines are great for that. I've seen a lot of LS engines with daily driver type street manners that can run 11's N/A. I just sold my 383 SBC to build a LS engine, its hard to beat modern technology.

 

When I said "good start", I ment if the block checks out at the machine shop, that would be your first piece of the puzzle. With a basic 350 block, you can "start" the process.

You first need a plan. Are you going NA, supercharger, turbo or nitrous? Factory production blocks only hold up to an extent before you need an aftermarket block. Depending on how much hp/tq you want to make and what application (turbo, sc or n20) will decide which block to "start" with.

 

i dont think i'll ever put in nos, that cant be cheap and i dont think i'll ever get enough use out of it. i want to have alot of fun with the car but nos just seams like you are just egging the engine to blow and i dont plan on dragging it very often. But i do want to have an all out street machine. I would like to supercharge it, im not sure if you can supercharge and turbo it or if that would just be completely redundant in fact im not sure if that is something a retard would suggest that just doenst know cars yet lol. when i build this i want to put in every safeguard i was considering doing something i found i forget the term but they freeze and heat the block and other things to pretty much guarantee they never break. I want this vehicle to be able to take some abuse. i have heard from people that stock 350 is best, or pony some money and go with an LS motor. i work alot so im trying to look up thigns and research more upon heads up you guys give me. I do appreciate all help.

 

You need to be researching on this board.
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/power-adder/

A factory block will hold quite a bit of boost if prepped correctly. The block needs to have little to no core shift and use ARP studs or bolts for the heads and mains. You need to keep the compression on the lower side. Forged crank/rods/pistons will hold up better than the stock cast.

You can go with standard SBC stuff or go LSX. Either platform would work.

Then you need to think about heads. Iron Vs Aluminum, chamber size, flow are all things to consider. Then you have to match the cam and be able to tune the settup.

The fuel system has to be up to challenge for carb or efi. Either setup will be vary depending on requirement.

Then cooling comes into play. Intercooler vs non intercooler. What type of intercooler to run plus is the radiator up to the job.

Dont forget to have a tranny and differential that will hold up to the new motor.

My best suggestion is to go research on the Power Adder board and follow some of the builds. As questions and map out a plan before you purchase the first part.

 

ok thanks, i'll definitely take a look at that and try to familiarize myself with some of the terms