ok i have just realize that i am a little out of my league when it comes to v8's, and what my plans are vary day to day. But what i do have are a few ideas that i was looking for some reactions to as well as criticism.

1) Go the easy route purchase a zz4 crate engine and drive the car.
2) Not sure if the car is a 1 or 2 piece rear im pretty sure 1 its a 86 T/A, but either way pick up a block from summit for 2789.95 and finish it?
3) Buy a 350 block and go from the ground up?

Now with any of those i am completely dumb when it comes to parts for these engines? i looked at intakes and carbs and got a headache lol. I am basically looking for a 300 whp engine will accept less if i have to, dont want to break the bank, but do want to have fun during the build. The zz4 is the easy way out but probably the most reliable. So to all who have ideas for me please let me know what you think, and if there is a path to follow let me know id be happy to look that route up.



thanks for all the help
Glenn

 

If your budget can support the ZZ4, it's basically remove the 305 and all its exhaust, put in the ZZ4 with all new exhaust (headers, 3" cat, 3" cat-back), and adjust things once you get it running. A higher stall torque converter would help it at the low end, and you'll probably have to change the carb secondary rods & hanger.

Whether your engine is 1 or 2 piece rear main seal (it's 1 piece) is irrelevant. The only thing that changes is a $40 flexplate.

If you're going to buy a new block for a basic 350 build, you might as well buy a complete crate engine.

All this time I thought you had a 327 sitting in the barn ready to go in. If you don't have anything yet, the ZZ4 is a pretty safe approach.

Now, if you want to talk about LS1/T56 swaps. . .

 

no i wish i had one in the barn its just someting my pops always promised me hed help me build and i was gonna do it my damn self since im 24 and no engine lol. the only other route i would go other than zz4 would be bare block 350 build. Only problem with the ZZ4 its hard to find them close to 3k as were i could build one for close to 3k? i think...

 

$4k+. Which is why I mentioned "budget".

Going from the 350 HO with 330 HP to the ZZ4 with 355 HP is a $1700 jump (although you do get intake, distributor, and damper with the ZZ4). The ZZ 385 is another $700 jump over the ZZ4 for the next 30 HP.

Most any 350 shortblock, rebuilt with basic boring/pistons/rings/bearings/ARP rod bolts, with a $1200 sdparts.com Vortec upgraded head kit, decent cam, and proper supporting cast will run you around $3-4k. When you start talking new block, new crank, new rods, and aluminum heads, that's when the cost starts piling up.

And, as I always say, whatever you spend to make the power, plan on spending at least that much more to support/handle the power.

 

fair enough.... i think imma go with the ZZ4 just for warranty purposes and the engine will def work lol thanks for the advice