ghoastrider1

Sat down today and someone left a hot rod mag (wasn't " HOT ROD" but chevy something or another. Anyway, had time to read a bit. These folks bought a crate engine from summit, the 195 hp one, for around 1,500 bucks. Put it on a dyno after borrowing an air gap manifold,and a 650 carb. The thing dynode at around 285 hp.They say that normal cause chevy rates it low because of two barrel TBI and tight cast iron exhaust found on most cars/pick ups.( OF COURSE THEY HAD HEADERS ON THE DYNO) Oh has 8.5 cr. They did this then threw on a cheap blower. I was just thinking..thats pretty good start for 1500 bucks..a new engine (pink rods)4 bolt mains) .. Throw on a few low buck go fast goodies and your looking a 300 plus hp and runs on pump gas. hard to beat that price when rebuilding your own engine after machine shop bills, ect. I will add a thing to click on tomorrow so you can read it.They ended up with over 400 hp for under 4 grand.

BOOT77

What's the part number?

Check the c3 section lots of people get disappointed with a gm low hp crate swap and c3 engines are pretty low hp. The mag people don't dyno it with A/C, alt, PS, smog and exhaust. If you buy one get some good heads, cam and never look back, heck I'd reuse the alum c4 heads if you got em before using basic crate engine heads unless it was a ZZ or vortex motor.

pologreen1

Could buy a used 350-400sbc block for $100-300 on CL and build something serious for 4k if you can do labor. 406 will make 500+hp with much less than 4k.

Might find a crate 383 for that price with more hp too.
Just putting it in perspective.

DanielRicany

No offense but I honestly don't think that is possible unless all the parts were bought used...

barbedwiredave

http://www.superchevy.com/how-to/eng...all-new-parts/

BOOT77

Yah no driven water pump either in that article and no alt for the e-pump load. Doesn't surprise me they got so much more

pologreen1

okay?

I'll change it and say 400 block used with new 220+ heads, performance cam, intake. If parts are used it's way cheaper.

Been going on for decades.

DanielRicany

Just the block is used? So all the internals would be new?

pologreen1

I just humored you and looked all these parts up in 2 minutes. Not sure if you are trolling or just not aware that 500+hp out of a 400sbc can be reached with decent parts kind of easy. The expensive part is going bigger or going more power and needing a better block. Of course more power means better parts to then. $$$$

400 block 100-300 (used)
406 kit 800
heads 1200-2000
cam kit maybe 500
intake maybe 200

The real issue is people look at the numbers and go "not too bad" then they look at their bank account and go forget it.

ex-x-fire

I'd rather have a used vortec 350 instead of that new (old tech) crate engine.

Tom400CFI

Those things are CHEAP, super reliable, last forever and make good power w/very little effort. You can get them at our local Pick 'n Pull for less than $150. CHEAP.

cardo0

Someone wrote a whole book on that GEN 0 crate motor which includes the "Goodwrench Quest" series: .
A must read if u have one of the GEN 0 crate engines and plan to improve it.

My self i think there are better "crates" to start with that have better pistons to accommodate more performance. The Goodwrech $1500 motor have low compression cast pistons with no quench surface. A better start would be one of the truck vortec motors that have hypereutectic pistons, roller cam and vortec heads. U will need a vortec style intake for these and cant use a mechanical fuel pump as the casting is not drilled for the pump lifter/rod. Par number is 12530282: http://www.summitracing.com/parts/na...0282/overview/. $2,000. All it needs is a bigger cam.