HMD2324

So I'm going to be purchasing a C3 Corvette soon and plan I dropping a new motor in. I live in Chicago so this will be just a summer ride. I want some good HP but don't want to spend a ton on a motor (around 4-5k). I've been reading a lot about people adding a ZZ4 or getting a 383 stroker. I've heard good things about Pace and ATK. I will not be building so I would prefer a crate motor. Looking for something putting out 360-450 HP. I'm new to this forum and to corvettes so any advice would appreciated.

Thanks

jr73

Welcome to the forum. I bought a 383 stroker from ATK through Summit. Its a short block I paid 2000 for it which I think is a great price, I could not have my 350 stroked out for that kind of money.
How about those Cubs !!!

Rescue Rogers

They say that c3 handling is best with a small block motor due to weight. The 383 stroker seems to be the engine of choice and is readily available and has plenty of after market parts available. Its definitely in your price and horsepower range

ENCSDOUG

Go with a 383 stroker.

Nowhere Man

go talk to your local GM dealer

lowbuck72

Buy a used LS1 Camaro 6 speed, and swap in the drivetrain

Deco77

383

Sunstroked

I had my original 350 block turned into a 383 too. With a good set of heads and decent cam, it puts out pretty good power. The engine builder told me the parts he used typically yield 435 hp. I rebuilt the M20 and changed the ring and pinion to a 3:55
I also have a 2 yr old SS Camaro, LS3 and a 6 spd. Its a factory hotrod, as good as any built.
I think my Corvette will give that Camaro a real close race in the quarter mile. Maybe its the rawness of the old gen 1 smallblock, maybe the cam and idle. But the corvette always gets me way more excited to drive.

noxqsz

What the C3 needs is displacement. Small block 400 engines are not hard to come by and not expensive. Assuming you want a street motor, why give up the extra cubes with a 383? It's very easy to have a 400 small block built to be mild-mannered, and with a mild cam and a good set of heads, 400 h.p. is easily achievable. It will definitely put a smile on your face! I speak from personal experience.

TWINRAY

I got my ZZ4 (355 HP, 405 LBS) from PACE maybe 3 years ago. If I had to do it again, maybe the ZZ383. The ZZ4 though is no slouth.

Rodnok1

With a C3 being so light I went with a 355, looked for a high rpm range as intake is a lot higher rpm range.
I also already had lots if 350 goodies such as balancer.
It's really more about the complete package than just cubic inches. Good heads/valve train, etc regardless of engine size.

Richard Daugird

If you consider 3,500 lbs +/- light.

cv67

Id choose GM over most crate rebuilders
Dont be shy with cam/heads exh int the larger stroke can make use of plenty of air. Ditch the manifolds too why choke it up its like covering up a pair of plastic DDs

x2 on C3 weight. 350 imo is on the small side for a heavy car bigger stroke in there the better wonder why GM never made one in the first place great overall st motor....why they never used the 400 is beyond me. Station wagons and trucks got em but the vette gets a wheezy 350.

Shark Racer

My small block 400 does OK.

OldCarBum

What year C3 are you purchasing? Manual or automatic? If its a numbers matching car or if it is a rare model, you may want to consider pulling the original motor and having it rebuilt. Drive it around for a while to see where you want to improve the performance before you just toss in anything that may not perform where you want it or need it to. Good luck and enjoy.

OldCarBum

GM did use the 400cid as the OEM motor in the Pontiac Firebird. I had one in my 69. Great motor, great car.

Richard Daugird

Was that not the Pontiac 400? Same displacement, completely different engine? I don't think Camaro/Firebird "shared" engines until the "corporate" engines of the 1980s.