sooo...350+hp and 20+ mpg
 

what would be the best way to achieve this, I am starting from scratch and im trying to keep a budget of around $2-2500 or less if possible. Also assuming that the 700r4 will be rebuilt. Basically I want a motor to get a minimum of 350hp/tq that will get decent mpg it will be a daily driver, if I can go fuel injected I will but carbed is fine too. Also if possible I'd like to have everything new, I know I am being picky.

How should I go about this?
Tim

Re: sooo...350+hp and 20+ mpg
 

GM 350 short block, you have tons of options. You can carb it, TBI it,or TPI it. After that, the options just keep going on and on. Most anyone will tell you it's the best route to go.

Re: sooo...350+hp and 20+ mpg
 

fuel injected will get you closer to that 20mpg range with good tuning and there are some threads over in the TPI section about getting the LSx pcm setup to work on a sbc (if i ever do another car after my LQ9 swap, I really want to give that option a go!). That would probably be your best route. However that does add to the cost of things a bit.

$2500 is going to be a tight budget to get your requirements, especially if that includes a quality trans rebuild. Not to mention it would probably be a good idea to beef up the rear a bit if you don't want it to grenade. Probably do pretty good to get a junkyard long block and have it rebuilt by a good shop rather than buying new unless you're looking for some kind of warranty.

Re: sooo...350+hp and 20+ mpg
 

no warranty isnt an issue just looking for something that very streetable with some power, wont be doing my lsx swap for a while.

Was kinda thinking on starting with this, http://sdparts.com/details/gm-goodwr...gines/10067353, and strapping on a tpi setup but its a little pricey, but it would be new vs. buying a 350 jy block findind a tpi and having the trans rebuilt. One thing I didn't ask was could i get 20+mpg street and more highway....

Also what if i were to buy a donor car for for say 2000 witha lt1/4l60e. Would I be able to get away with that swap along with buying necessary swap parts before parting out the car, or would i end up waiting on a car to be parted out.


On a side note if I bumped up the budget to $4-4500, would I be able to do a 5.3 swap with no mods just a stock setup with say a 4l80e or t56?


Tim

Re: sooo...350+hp and 20+ mpg
 

5.3 swap should be easy enough if you go with a boneyard motor.

Which is most important to you, 350 HP, 20+ MPG, or only spending $2500? It's the age-old, "You can have 2 of the 3." Especially if you want everything to be new.

That crate engine puts out 250 HP. Gross flywheel HP, not the net flywheel HP that your engine is rated at. With your TBI, it might get 20+ MPG with it. The heads are crap, have a different bolt pattern than your TBI intake (none available that I know of, although your intake could be modified to fit), it has flat tappet lifters - basically a complete downgrade from your current 305.

Have you checked out the TBI forum stickies? There's one about a budget 350 that would come closer to meeting your goals than anything else.

If you want new stuff, then try this on for size:
http://sdparts.com/details/gm-factor...parts/12556121
http://sdparts.com/details/scoggin-d...ter/sd8060tbim
You're already over-budget, but IMHO, your budget is incompatible with your goals.
Even your LO3 cam would work fine with that, but wouldn't make 350 HP. If you want more cam, then you'd need this kit:
http://sdparts.com/details/scoggin-d...er/sd8060atbih
A decent cam will be a couple hundred bucks, plus you're going to have to upgrade the TBI.

Basically, it ain't gonna happen with a $2500 budget.

I disagree. A 5.3 swap isn't that hard, but $2500 isn't going to cover it.

You can get a high-mileage 5.3 in good running condition for about $350. That won't include computer or harness. The truck accessories, exhaust manifolds, and oil pan won't work in a 3rd gen. You can make a 3rd gen V8 transmission work with the 5.3, but I don't recommend it (bellhousing bolt pattern and crank flange depth issues). You will either need to purchase swap mounts, or fabricate your own. Exhaust will have to be custom fabricated. You will need to do PCM tuning.

Understand I'm not against a 3rd gen 5.3 swap, but you need to budget at least $4k minimum (unless you can fabricate a lot of stuff for free - and there ain't no free lunch). To do it right without sweetheart fabrication or swap deals, plan on at least $6k (that's still assuming you do the wiring grafting yourself). If you want good exhaust, it's going to go up from there.

A dose of reality is really needed here.

sk8r fer life, is this in your signature really true?
2" Flowmaster exhaust

If so, no matter what you do, you need to spend about $1k minimum on exhaust upgrades.

Re: sooo...350+hp and 20+ mpg
 

Yes its more like 2.25-2.5" actually but its all rotting straight pipe is cracked open and the maffler has no insides and it has a sleeve to connect them thats only welded on one side, it will all be replaced thank god.

I can bump up the limit but I wanted to see all my options before I go on a part buying spree, I'd like to get most if not all the parts at once. I will most likely bump it up to a $4500 limit, I have been searching and reading swaps I'm just trying to options and see all my cards before buying parts so I dont pull a,..."shoot I could have afforded that!" So I'd like to have options is all. I also Don't need to keep the 700r4 Its just an option though.

Thanks for trying to bear with me
Tim

If you can go up to $4500, then the L31 shortblock, better head kit, and the rest as recommended in the budget TBI sticky would make a very satisfying package.

You might be able to convert to carb for slightly less money, but the MPG would suffer.

Re: sooo...350+hp and 20+ mpg
 

Alright where would I get a L31 block (have a part number?) ill search what vehicles they came in as well, as for a head kit what would you recommend? Also are you suggesting using my current tbi? or get an aftermarket setup?

If I were to do this setup should I ditch the 700r4 and find something like a 4l60e/4l80e?

Re: sooo...350+hp and 20+ mpg
 

You can get all three if done right. As an example, my 400hp carbed (LG4 retuned) auto Camaro gets 21 - 22mpg on the highway and runs in the mid 12's all day. Probably pick up 2 more mpg if it was EFI.

Re: sooo...350+hp and 20+ mpg
 

If you was to bump up your budget to 4k-4500 i would just do an ls1 swap. You can find the ls1 for cheap now about 2500. You will be close to the power your looking for and the 20 mpg.

LS1 is the first choice, if not for the stated budget. I picked up a 2000 LS1/4L60E for $2k, but spent $325 going down to Arizona to pick it up. I spent another $3k or so getting it in (swap mounts, exhaust, air intake stuff, hoses, belts, shift kit, higher stall converter, 3.73 gears, etc.).

In July I drove it 200 miles to a track, changed the rear tires to DOT slicks, made 8 passes, put the highway tires back on the rear, drove it 200 miles home, averaged 21.5 MPG (including the 8 passes). This past weekend it ran a 12.02 @ 112 MPH in Minnesota - depending upon your HP calculator, that's well over 350 HP.

Re: sooo...350+hp and 20+ mpg
 

sounds good.. who putyour motor in or did you do it your self?

Did it myself.

Re: sooo...350+hp and 20+ mpg
 

I would personally reconsider your budget and go with a LSx swap.

Id love to be able to do that.

Re: sooo...350+hp and 20+ mpg
 

To build a good trans will just about eat up that budget.(nice small converter)
Headers and a exhaust will be a good start.

Re: sooo...350+hp and 20+ mpg
 

yeah an LSx is likely the best bet for 350+hp and 20+ mpg. My 99 with bolt ons runs mid 12's with crap highway 2.73 gears but it has done 25mpg on highway.

Like said above, may not beable to do all that with 2500.

Gen I sbc can do it too. Well tuned ofcourse but something like a ZZ4 with miniram intake (Think LT1 here) will do 350hp with some bolt ons and get 20mpg. Thats basically a minirammed, mild cammed L98. COuld likely use any short runner intake like stealth ram, single plane EFI, proflo xt etc.

OR just do bolt ons on the 350 motor and spray it with a 150 shot. L98's in stock form have done 24mpg +. Mine did 24mpg, mostly highway. They do 275-300 hp with mostbolt ons and a 100-150 shot should get you well over 350 :)