I have searched the boards for people's opinions on different companies that build crate motors. I do not have the time or the shop to build a motor myself. I live in the Austin TX area but would be more than willing to have one shipped to me. I am looking for something like a 350ci/320-350HP motor w/4 bolt mains and iron or aluminum heads. I have a stock TPI system and I am already aware I would need to upgrade it some, port it, and upgrade my ignition system. I will appreciate any info and opinions anyone can give. Thanks

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Poor college student(donations welcome)
1988 5.7L TPI IROC-Z Hardtop, 700R-4, White ext. w/Gold/Black accents (soon to be silver), Black Custom Deluxe int., 4-wheel discs & G92 pkg. Car is all stock and original.
Best run: 1/4 14.90 @ 92.7 MPH

#3 Gone but shall never be forgotten. Long live the legacy of the man in black. RIP Dale Earnhardt "The Intimidator"

 

Go to www.jegs.com . They sell GM Performance crate engines. Looks like you'll want to go with the ZZ4.

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"Putting any amount of money into a RICE BURNER is like wiping your a$$ with a turd. "
'86 IROC
T-TOPS, TINTED WINDOWS, BRAKE LIGHT BLACKOUTS
GM GOODWRENCH 350
EDELBROCK TES HEADERS
3" Hooker CatBack w/Aero Chamber muffler
EDELBROCK 600CFM CARB.
KN AIRFILTER
ACCEL HEI DISTRIBUTOR
160* Stat, just switched to 180* b/c of winter coming and going to college in the mts.
3:73 Posi
Rebuilt 700R4
B&M Megashifter, 5" Autometer Tach w/shift lite

 

Jegs is pricey for the GM crate engines, scoggin dickey (www.sdpc.com) and jim pace parts (www.paceparts.com) are a little better from what I have seen. The ZZ4 is great and a lot of people have had sucess with these. Also check out the 350 ho (330 horse) it has vortec heads so you would need the scoggin dickey base. Personly I would buy the ZZ4 short block and pick out my own cam and heads.

 

Scoggin Dickey has an awesome catalog if you go to their site and order one. They have free shipping on almost anything, I am not sure about engines though, until December 31st of this year. When I get the dough I am getting a crate engine from them.

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88 Camaro Sport Coupe
2.8L V6 173ci
K&N Air Filters
JET Underdrive Pulleys

 

Actually, the ZZ4 is only .49 cents more, but I'm not sure on shipping.

 

Thanks for the info everyone. The ZZ4 is definatly a tried and true power plant but the price is a little too much for me. I may try to score a 87+ 350 block and build it up if I can over at my friends house. I have seen some engines come and go on ebay so I might check that out too.

 

If you haven't considered it yet, check out the GM 330hp HO 350, it's pretty inexpensive compared to the zz4 and seems to be what you are looking for. Also try this site, www.enginefactory.com They are more expensive, but it looks like you get your money's worth. I am buying their 350hp 350, its about $2350+shipping.

 

Check out goautocenter.com
I bought a 300HP 350 crate motor from them last summer.Cost $1855 I think,plus shipping, but they're in Texas,so shipping probably wouldn't cost you as much as it did me.
(I think about $300 to ship to California)
They offer lots of different motors and options are available (aluminum heads,bigger cams)Been real happy with my motor,and it was here in a week.
-Rich-