is it possible to build a decent motor for 2500 dollars??

 

It depends on your definition of decent. Will it make 400 HP? No. Can you build a reliable, long lasting engine that will make decent power for $2,500? Yes. You are going to have to reuse most of the stock parts. You should budget about $500 for machine work (block service, balancing, deck the block, bore&hone). Get a good set of hyperuetectic piston and new rods (by the time you rebuild the old ones you can just about buy new ones) for about $450. Rings, bearings, gaskets, etc. will run about $250. If you've got a roller cam stock just upgrade the cam and install new lifters for about $400. If it's a flat tappet then get a cam and lifter kit for around $250, but if it has a roller cam stick with the roller as it will make more average power and be a better street engine. If you have L98 heads then I would have them rebuilt and get a good 3 angle valvejob. That will run you about $400. If you don't have L98 heads you should do some bowl work and other porting. You can do this yourself with the right kit, which will add another $100 to the cost, plus you need an electric grinder (don't try to use a Dremel it will take you a month and the results still won't be as good). Beg, borrow, or buy the grinder. They run about $150 at Sears. Make sure you run a new standard volume and pressure oil pump. You will have to reuse your stock TPI intake system, balancer, tins (oil pan, valvecover, timing cover, etc.), flywheel/flexplate, distributor, etc. If the plug wires are old get a fresh set and install a new cap and rotor. Definately get a fresh set of plugs. A custom PROM will really top things off, at about $400, unless you can burn them yourself or know someone who can. All told you are looking at $2,250 - $2,650 or so for a motor that should make 325HP and be reliable enough to drive every day for 100,000+ miles. You'll have to do all of the assembly yourself, as well as the teardown and install. You'll need an engine stand and a hoist, which you can usually rent or borrow. I'd also budget another $200 for miscellaneous things (oil, paint, a broken motor mount you find that needs to be replaced, water pump, etc.).

 

off topic TKO are you with the TKO company.....(stupid question i think, but thought I'd ask)....

 

well i have a 350 out of a 87 chevy pickup, can i use that?

 

yes, u can. build a hyper. bottom end, with strong heads.
invest your money on heads, and intake.
me i would just ditch the tpi and go with standard sbc with carb.

 

is it alot of work to switch from tpi to carb? is it worth it??