I've been trying to find a suitable 350 to replace the 305 in my IROC with. After not finding anything that will bolt right in, I decided to just get an L98 Corvette crate motor from GM. All the dealerships I called informed me this engine is no longer available. How could this be? Is there some reason they've discontinued the IROC/Vette engines? A remanufactured one can be ordered from a local auto parts chain, but it won't come with the aluminum heads. With so many 3rd gens and 4th gen vettes still out there, why would they stop making this engine?

 

Wont these work for you?

http://www.paceparts.com/crate_engines_and_partials.htm

 

Thats Odd, cause about 3 months ago I called on a L98 BLOCK, nothing else, no pistons, crank, nothing. The guy quoted me something like $8000.00 for just the block, I jumped up so fast to hang up just so he couldn't get any information from me.

Some of the other blocks were reeally reasonable in price, same design and everything. I personally don't think there was anything special about the block, itself. Personally I would look for a 4 bolt main, I am not sure if the L98 is or not.

[This message has been edited by okfoz (edited July 24, 2001).]

 

Try a '94 Caprice engine (L05). That's what I did. I bought it from my local dealer a little over a year ago (close to $1700). As far as I can tell, it's the same. There are some problems, though:

• It has the '87-up intake bolt angle.
• The timing pointer's in the wrong place. You'll have to add a pointer or swap out your timing cover.
• If you have an oil cooler, you'll have to swap out the damper (the new one's too thick).
• The mark on the damper's in the wrong place, too. If you don't swap it out, you'll have to remark it.

I changed out the heads, cam, rocker arms, and pushrods, but that isn't necessary.

------------------
'87 IROC 5.7l TPI - original owner!

 

two things zz partial engine short block or a zz4 complete.my opinoin go with the partial and get some good heads and cam you'll be on your way


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87 trans am,gm crate 350(4 bolt mains 10to1),L98 aluminum heads,LT4 hot cam,slp runners,slp 1 5/8 headers,3in.y-pipe,edelbrock base,hi flo cat,air foil,afpr,as&m ported plenum,gutted airbox,t-5 tranny w/centerforce clutch and a 3.27 9bolt(11.9in. brakes),ed wright's fastchip,relocated iat sensor,160 fan switch,tb bypass,accel supercoil,cap& rotor,hollowed maf,slp 3in. catback,a/c delete.

shooting for 13's!!!!!!!

14.10@97mph w/2.01 60'(auto ET)

slp catback is finally on!!!
fastchip prom is in.
kicks you in the A.S.S at wot.
FLOWMASTER S.U.C.K.S

 

I bought a remanufactured one from Jasper. 2050 bucks gets you an exact stock replacement L98 with a complete gasket set and a 3 year/70k mile warranty delivered to your door step. This seemed to be the most well rounded choice for my application.

 

You can get a GM shortblock, they have 2 bolt, 4 bolt, and the partial zz4. When i checked the 4bolt shortblock was like $1300. Then add heads like Pete said. You might even save some money building it yourself.

------------------
'88 RS (originally 2.8)
-350, .040 over, vette alum. L98s, stock tpi.
-305 injectors & chip
-TES headers & edelbrock cat back
-3.73 gears, 700r4.
Best with 2.8-17.4@77mph
Best with 305-15.0@93mph
Best with 356-13.7@101mph
on a 2.050 60 ft.
(Damn the 2.8!)

 

and i would strongly advise you to NOT get a jasper motor. i got a class 1 350 to rerplace my 305 and it's totally worthless. i've already had to replace one of the heads. thankfully it was still under warranty.

 

how can you recommend this engine when you are having problems with it? :

https://www.thirdgen.org/messgboard/...ML/003628.html

I too got the 93 caprice replacement engine. It's the closest you are gonna get. It's $1500 and worth it. I chose to replace the heads and cam but it was still the most cost efficient alternative to what I wanted. Plus I sold the new heads for $300 locally.


James



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1985 Z-28, 350 TPI, T-Tops, edelbrock 6085 heads, ZZ4 cam, accel base/runners & 24 lb/hr inj., ported plenum, everything gasket matched, crane AFPR, SLP 1 5/8 headers, single 3" flowmaster catback, 3" Catco cat, modified tranny, 165 ECM & ARAP code, MSD 6AL/wires, edelbrock STB, Spohn SFC, GW "wonderbar"

 

Christ, $8000 for a 350 block? Scoggin-Dickey should sell them for around $550 new. They must've been looking at LS1 parts, whoever the parts man was is probably stupider than dirt. Get a ZZ4 if you really want one, they run around $3300. They come with L98 aluminum heads and the shortblock underneath, with hyperutectic pistons, I think. Also a warranty on it.

The reason they quit making the IROC/L98 longblocks is probably two-fold: no longer in demand, and the ZZ4 replacement drops right in.

 

I did some more calling around today, and now it seems even the remanufacturing companies like Recon (www.reconengines.com) don't offer this engine either. The dealer said they would just put a standard 350 with a flat tappet cam in it.(Not an option) Even people who specialize in Corvettes don't have a clue how to get a replacement L98. About the only option seems to be buying a junkyard motor, and getting somebody to rebuild it. However, most salvage yards are asking around $1000 for one that needs to be rebuilt. One of the other forums here said the Caprice motor is maybe capable of high 15's. I don't want to start tearing apart a new motor under warrenty to install a cam and heads. The ZZ4 won't work with the EGR system, (Unless the TPI is off a vette) and the car needs to pass emissions. I don't know how you guys manage to find decent turn key motors for your cars. This has been a very frustrating week so far; all I want is a stock L98 350.

[This message has been edited by tommygun (edited July 25, 2001).]

 

James-
Your taking the same attitude I did when things didn't go as I wanted after the new engine install. Blamming Jasper is the easy way out dude, but the fact is that alot of my symptoms were present before the new engine. I have no reason to belive my engine is to blame. Bottom line is that a sour engine is a possibillity now matter where you buy it from, the thing that counts is who is willng to stand behind their product. Do some research and you will find that my jasper has 3 times the warrenty of your GM product, and by the way changing heads and a cam would certainly void the half *** warenty that you have. I think we should continue this conversation in three years and see who got the most for his money. Oh yeah, good luck finding what your looking for tommy-gun.

 

I purchased a L-98 through Four Star Engines in Kansas City. Its remanufactured and came with a 3 year/50,000 mile warranty. Engine runs absolutely perfect. Its two years old now with 40,000 on it. Oh yeah it was bored out by them 30 over. I believe it was around $1500.

------------------
1992 Camaro Z-28 5.7L auto t-tops arctic white

1967 Pontiac Catalina 2 door fastback 400 v-8 auto cameo white dark red interior

 

Nodody could warranty what I wanted to build so it was no loss there. I just needed a 350 block and all the newer style covers/pans. What would happen to your warranty if you wanted to put on edelbrock heads and a ZZ4 cam? same thing: WARRANTY VOID.

I would have purchased a ZZ4 but I wanted EGR and I have to pass CA smog regs. I too couldn't find a drop in engine that had what I wanted and came with a warranty. Even if I bought a core and had it rebuilt it would not come with a warranty, plus it wouldn't be NEW, it would be rebuilt. My entire engine is new.

I've installed plenty of auto part store rebuilds in my cars. Some have 1 year warranties, others had three year warranties. Regardless of the warranty they came from the same factory. Part store rebuilds never exceed or meet OEM spec including power and durability. I wish they did, but they don't. I ve installed engines in G-20 vans, camaros, Taurus, LeSabre, Jeeps, custom applications. I've had the rebuilds last anywhere from 12,000 miles to 45,000 miles. While they are cheaper, I don't think they are the better bargain, escpecially when in comes to a SBC. However getting a new replacement 3.0 ford motor is $$$. I had a three year warranty engine go bad but I didn't want the authorized repair shop to touch one of my vehicles. But they did willingly replace the engine with no hassles.


James



[This message has been edited by james_fearn (edited July 25, 2001).]

 

The ZZ4 block will work fine with emmissions. It's the heads that don't have the provisions for EGR. If you get a short block (ie without heads) you can put emmision compliant heads on it. Or get the Caprice replacement engine. You have a lot of options besides trying to find one to rebuild. Don't get hung up on the L-98 name.

 

Deleted

[This message has been edited by jRaskell (edited July 26, 2001).]

 

All you really need is a one piece rear main and the right angle for your heads. The only machining that should really be necessary will be for the knock sensor, maybe a temp sensor, little stuff like that. The same phenomenon has been going on around me - there's lots of older 350's floating around still but you can't find a late model block to save your life! And yes, if you can find a good parts guy don't go anywhere else! There's a dealer near me where they're dumb as hell, don't get the right parts, or charge 10 x too much when they do. There's another place about 1/2 hour away where I've gotten things that the former one said were "discontinued" or gotten much cheaper because the guys there actually try to help customers. A lot of tech/parts guys get pissed when somebody's trying to do work themselves instead of paying them 8 times too much to do it for them.

 

I just sold the car 2 nights ago. Figured the headache of swapping motors just wasn't worth it. I have no idea why GM would bother putting a peanut cam 305 in an F-body to begin with; it's a performance car! Now I'll be looking for an 88-89 GTA with the 350 already in it. Makes life a little easier that way. Any tips on what to look for/ask about?