i have read a lot of posts about the plain goodwrench 350 not being a good engine. so i thought i would share this chevy hi performance link for those of you like myself that have this engine
with relatively little money it can be made into a good street motor.


http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/te...es/index6.html

 

Well yeah, everybody knows that if you replace everything it will make good power.

 

Yes, it's been discussed to death. I've got one in my '84 Chevy full size van that we use to tow a 2-horse trailer.

A better route, in my opinion, would be to get a GM shortblock such as the L98, L31, or ZZ4, put your preference of heads & cam with it, and have a "real" engine. But, if the van rusts away from the engine, I'd have a block available to upgrade for the Camaro, using my current bolt-ons plus a two-piece rear main seal flexplate.

 

a new cam and minor headwork is not replacing "everything". headers carb and intake are a given. the heads on them are not the 882 "junk" that everyone seems to think came on them. it is what was in my z when i bought it so im just going with what i have.

 

So let me get this strait? This is a great deal, because you can spend around 1500 to get the engine, buy a new cam, new intake manifold, new cam, port the heads, pay to have the heads worked, and then get decent HP?

How much do you think it will cost to have the heads milled? I wouldnt put any performance cam in without screw in studs, either. You could do the porting yourself, but the part arent free. Bottom line is, you would be better off just buying a better engine to start with.

 

IMHO the heads are trash. Theyre kinda thin in some spots and the 72cc chambers kill the CR.

I paid 1200 plus shipping to my doorstep for mine. With the addition of a cheap cam to actually get the motor to perform the way it should have from the factory it wasnt a bad deal. Its endured lots of wide open throttle use, extended usage at 90-130 mph, 6.5k revs between shifts, powerslides, burnouts, etc. I nuked a rear and a transmission with it and its still holding together ok so I guess Im getting my moneys worth out of it. They say it also has PM rods in addition to the 4 bolt mains so the shortblock is ok but I wouldnt pay extra for the parts that Id never use.

 

its a good deal if you have a 350 to begin with. $400-$500 for cam and simple headwork. home port job. 100hp increase. im not saying its a race motor but 336 hp for around $2000 is not bad at all.

 

It doesn't have PM rods.

There's also no way CHP Mag used an XE268 cam with the springs that came with the heads on that engine. There is a lot they're not telling. Same thing with their "$400 Vortec heads".

For less than $1200, you can get an L98 shortblock. Granted, it is a 2-bolt vs. the 4-bolt of the Goodwrench, but that's not an issue at 400 HP, anyway. You do get a one-piece rear main seal, a big plus, and there isn't anything you have to throw away. Add a good flat-tappet cam kit, whatever decent heads you want (including what for a lot of people is their current 305 heads), you're ready to rumble.

For about $100 more than the Goodwrench crate, you can get the L31 shortblock. That does have PM rods, a better crank (one-piece), and FWIW, it's a 4-bolt main.

For another $500, the ZZ4 block. All of the above, plus forged crank and hypereutectic pistons. Another $1100 above that, and you've got a 383 shortblock - all of the above plus a 3.80" stroke steel crank, flexplate, harmonic balancer, oil pump with screen and drive shaft, oil pan and plastic front cover.

Not to say the Goodwrench is a bad idea, especially if you already have one. Just don't forget - they never did tell us at what point that engine grenaded - at least we know the famous magazine 305 did at 400 HP...

 

IVe seen it listed in several places that the current iterations of it come with the PM rods, which seems plausable. Again, I cant say that theyre all correct in that it does.

 

The 290 horse version (p/n 12499529), which has a little more cam, does have the PM rods. It's a couple hundred dollars more than the basic Goodwrench 350.

 

i dont think ill ever blow mine. it will probably never see the track. my engine only has a little over10,000 on it and i just wanted to get a little more out of it just to play with. maybe one day the wife will let me get my 454sb.

i thought that article would be good for anyone that buys a car with that engine.

 

57, I saw the basic one listed as having PM rods as well by several places. They must be in error, then.

hoogabooga,

If you already have it then stick some good parts on it already!

 

soon as i get my leg out of this #*&@#$!! cast i will.

 

I couldn't find such a reference, but there is something dangling in the recesses of my mind about the factory only producing PM rods for economy reasons starting a few years ago, and any 5.7" Gen I/II SBC being produced currently would have PM rods.

But, I can't find anything to back that up.

The Goodwrench 350 I happen to have is older, and has the old, standard strength rods.

 

Okay, where's the catsup for my crow?

http://www.paceparts.com/index.asp?P...D&ProdID=24755

 

Yeah they haven't built anything except PM rods for awhile now.

 

thanks for that link 57. that gave me some info on it i didnt know about.

 

Cylinder Heads-

part # 14034808

casting #33417369

1.94" Intake valve , 1.50" Exhaust Valve

76cc Combustion Chamber

7 Bolt style Exhaust Flange

Standard 85' and prior intake manifold bolt pattern.

Perimeter bolt style Valve Covers.

This head is very similar to the old #882 castings from the 1970's

 

I wonder if mine got them? It was recieved by the warehouse in 99. Sat for three years before I bought it.