Has anyone ever bought a TBI Crate engine off eBay for their Camaro or Bird? Or any engine for that matter?

I have been looking at a 350 TBI that is advertised at 310HP for $2400.00.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...RK%3AMEWA%3AIT


I was curious about the heads on this engine. So I sent them a email. Their response was quick & to the point.

 

It seems like a nice package. Someday I will have to replace the engine in my truck, but it has 412,000 on it now and shows no signs of dying anytime soon. It will last forever just so I can't get another one!

But anyway, it is a reman. You can buy a new GM TBI motor for less, if I recall. and last time I looked the 350 HO with actual Vortec heads could be bought for $2k.

I have to question the "vortec runners" on a stock 87-95 casting...not really sure what they are trying to say. But often people throw out words like "vortec" out there when they aren't entirely knowledgeable and trying to sell something...

 

Buying a new GM TBI motor will put you at stock HP ratings, won't it?

I don't think that the TBI 5.7 was stocked at 310HP.

But anyways, I'm not sure about the Vortec thing. It wasn't listed in his auction as Vortec anywhere. That quote is what he had said in email.

 

Those cant be vortec heads because of that intake manifold.


I dont think i would buy a motor without at least knowing the casting numbers of the head and the specs of the cam.

 

I have a 350 TBI and it sure as hell dont make 310! I think stock heads were those crappy swirl ports which limit HP. I replaced mine with TPI heads...basically the same heads - the swirl port which = better performance. And you have to think about the mods you have to do because its not a direct bolt on kinda thing. If you want direct bolt on you would have to use the stock intake. If you did go the route of this engine I would get that intake bored to 2" and buy this TBI http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...937803066&rd=1
This guy says its a 750 CFM and good up to 400HP but hey, who knows? This guy also sells stock intakes with 2" bores and some other good camaro stuff. Anyway, good luck!

 

Ebay TBI motors are junk. They typically have a lame cam and swirl port heads. For have the cost of that you can have much more power. Plus, you still need chip work no matter what they tell you.

 

You know shifty, thats the same argument everyone uses against 305s and TBI

 

I know what you mean but most ebay specials use refurbished junk and charge a boat load for it. For 3 grand you can have a new vortec long block that has tons more potential than an internet risk.