I'm currently looking at a 1983 trans am which had an engine and transmission swap.
The engine is a 1979 350ci GMC Jimmy crate engine (15000 miles). with a 5 speed T5 world class transmission. Im wondering how good of an engine this is cause im really interested in this car as I will save me a lot of money to get one with a 5speed installed. I'm just questioning the engine cause I don't know anything about crate engines at all. If anyone has experience with these engines please help me out.

 

It is probably nothing special, just a generic 350 replacement engine.

 

the term "Crate Engine" is very over used/mis-used . to me a crate engine is one from G.M. , summit , edelbrock etc. . ones from advance , auto zone and so on are just generic replacement engines . while they may be o.k. nothing special . do you have anymore info. ? good luck .

 

It's probably a low compression engine with junky heads. I wouldn't pay extra cause it's a "crate engine."

That said, a third gen is not a heavy car and even a crappy small block will scoot it along nicely. With a 3.42 rear my LO3 305 gets up and goes.

 

The casting numbers are on the block back where it bolts to the trans. Get them and google them. You will be able to see if its really a Goodwrench crate or just a rebuilt motor from Autozone or something..

They will also tell you if its 2 or 4bolt main.