sfrenchy51

Hi all-New here to forum and need some advice. I just purchased a '64 Coupe with a tired replacement 327 in it and 4 spd.
Contemplating what to do engine/trans wise. Should I have the327 rebuilt? OR- 383 crate? Or?
I don't really want to go FI since it gets more involved with fuel tanks, computers etc. Right?
Basically I want a reliable car that I could drive every day or go on trips at times. I'm thinking somewhere around 350-400HP?
Also, I want to stay manual trans but need another gear(s)-5 speed or 6?
Are there any engine/trans packages out there that you would suggest? Cost?
Thanks for the help.....

gator79

I put a LS1 and 6 speed in my 64, it is a little more work but not that hard. The extra work is well worth the payoff

sfrenchy51

Did you go new or a pull-out? Cost? Did yourself or farmed out? Thanks for the reply

gator79

got a 60,000 mile pullout complete with harness and computer and 6 speed from a 2000 Camaro paid 5500 did all my own work

here is my thread https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-upgrades.html

sfrenchy51

Great thread-Thanks. Especially like the "tunnel rise". Where are those valve covers from? Is the car done now? Performance?

gator79

I would have to look where I got the covers, I think I put the link in the thread somewhere. car was finished in May of this year, did the hot rod power tour in June and now have 4000 miles on it. I have covered 8 states so far this summer. Performance is amazing, the even torque band of the ls is very nice and with rack and pinion the steering is nice also. I have made several 7 hour trips in it. People who drive it say it handles and drives like a new car. suspension is stock 64 other than disc brakes and rack and pinion.

sfrenchy51

Found the link-Thanks again-great job!

MasterDave

Welcome to another '64.. I put a 350 out of a 71 chevy pickup truck in mine. Literally a bolt in. It's basically a stroked 327, no need to go 383 at all. I did aftermarket heads, cam, .030 forged piston and kept it at 10/1 compression ratio. It's a solid 350 horse engine and will move my corvette down the road in good order. If I could change anything I would go a different rear end ratio. It's a 3.70 now which I love but for the freeway a 3.55 would be nice. That's it.......

gator79

thanks, and even with my cammed LS1 in the 400 hp range it makes 22 mpg

SnakeQ

Try looking at "The Engine Factory." I bought a 383 from them with a March front end pulley system. It sounds like a beast and these guys were very helpful in all regards. Mine normally asperated with Edlebrock components and is rated at 460hp. I teamed it up with a Tremec 5 speed from American Powertrain. All in all a nice set-up.

alexandervdr

For my 64 with a 327 the plan was to rebuild it myself. Engine ran ok (just ok) when I bought the car but still wanted to check. I stumbled from one (bad) surprise to another. The engine appeared to be a rebuild of a 365 with parts from different types and years. Pistons were .06 overbore and looked new, while the crank was not, the valve stems leaked oil, valves needed replacement, the carb was leaking everywhere, the waterpump had issues, the fuel pump was worn etc etc etc. After a lot of work on this 327 I finally gave up and ended up buying a 350/290 GM crate. My biggest concern was that unless you have it completely rebuilt (at a high cost) , you end up with a mix of old and new parts. And those old parts will go broke first, no idea when.

sub006

Nice looking mild custom C2r, with the '67 BB hood already in place! IF you have the $$$ and want FI without computers, you could install an original '63-'65 FI unit. Other Forum members can advise on specifics like making it work with lower compression to handle modern gas, larger displacements, etc.

Then you could install FI badges with pride and go gymkhana racing with no fuel starvation in the corners as Zora intended!

GTOguy

Unless you are a mechanic with a well-equipped shop, replacing your engine with an original type crate 350-355-383 would be the easiest and cheapest choice. A 383 is a favorite and makes a ton of easy-to-use power and is good on gas. You will spend more money on the 5 or 6 speed trans conversion than you will on a new crate motor. My '61 has a 383 that was built many years ago, along with it's iron T-10 and a 3.36 gear, and the car runs like a scalded cat and cruises great on the freeway. No need for a 5 or 6 speed for me.

sfrenchy51

All good reply's-Thanks one and all. I'm still thinking about it but I kind of really like the old school feel of the original 4 Speed and my car has a 3:36 rear so freeway speeds are OK.....may just be a bit loud. As far as engines go, I cringe at the cost of a built 383 or 350, so a semi lo mileage LS1 may be the way to go. I want to keep the old '64 charisma intact so I think I'll ditch the LS1 Fuel Injection and stick an Edelbrock manifold and good ol 4 Barrel on her. Something I understand and don't need a computer to tune. Also will be much easier to install with no computers, sensors, new fuel system, etc. etc...Guess I'm kind of Old School myself which is why I like mid-years in the first place. I was a Freshman in high school when my '64 was new....

TOM WILLARD

Since it's already custom you should get some Dynamic Corvette rear qaurters and do a ls swap. You won't be disappointed.

Viet Nam Vett

Theirs always a BB to consider... SB's can be built up in so many ways and offer plenty of options. The LS way is also cool... But remember ..it's all about Torque at the low RPM range for the rammed back in your seat feeling below 5000 rpm.

Their is a Reason they make BB's. As they say ..."Theirs No Replacement For Displacement"... Look on The GMPP web site for a List of GM Motors.

Or find yourself an Older BB. Their are Camps SB and BB's, each camp will expond about it's wisdom of choice for their motor size selection.

But I find that IMHO that I don't need to wind a Motor up to redline to make HP and Torque when I can do the same thing at 4400-5000 RPM without throwing anything thru the block.

Welcome to the forum and do your research on both SB and BB. Either one will give you pleasure when you drive your Corvette. After all ..it's about driving the car weather it's a base SB or a Bigger BB with face flattening Torque.

As I always say.... It's your Car Do what you want wit It.

GTOguy

The cost of a brand new 383 crate engine would probably be significantly less than a boneyard LS engine and all the mods needed to make it work. The 383 is a simple drop-in, using all your existing hardware and components. 'Project Creep' is a real thing to consider when changing to a completely different powerplant system. Check your options, crunch the numbers, and then decide. Me, I'd install an old-school 383......and drive the wheels off of the car!

sfrenchy51

Seems like any new crate 383 would cost more than a lo-mileage bone yard LS. Then I plan on using the edelbrock set up to convert to a Carb. Which illiminates computers, new tank, etc. Even with the Edelbrock system cost it would be less than a 383.
Im figuring about 1K for the engine and 6-700$ for the edelbrock for a total under 2K.....Am I missing something?

TOM WILLARD

Brackets, transmission and few other things not to mention you won't find a ls1 for 1000 unless you are very lucky.

sfrenchy51

Around where I live 1K is about it for a decent LS with all brackets etc. (no trans). I plan on using my original 4 Speed that is a bolt on....A crate 383 seems to be at least 3K plus. A nice light weight LS with a carb is half the price and will deliver good performance. Thanks for all replys-I haven't pulled the trigger yet-still planning and weighing my options.