Blue 92

http://www.streetrodstuff.com/Products/166/

Will the factory TPI bolt on? How about exhaust manifolds? Headers?

HWoods

The engine in the link has vortec heads, so your stock tpi base intake would not fit. You can buy an aftermarket intake base that will fit the vortec heads from Scoggin Dickey Chevrolet in Lubbock TX for about $400.00. The ZZ4 would be a pretty much drop in replacement engine and offers a few more horses, but cost a little more too. Scoggin Dickey also offers replacement tpi engines with higher horsepower for also for more $. Good luck with finding your replacement engine.

Aggravated4life

That motor you linked us to doesnt do it for me.If you have the 87 L98 engine and can get it rebuilt,you can build it faster and stronger for less money.The motor on that page has cast iron heads,which adds more weight compared to the alloy 87 L98 heads.Sure it may flow more but then you gotta buy the other vortec TPI base.Not worth it to me in the total long run.

Rebuild the 87 engine to 10.0:1 compression with a ZZ4 cam or similar and pocket port the heads,port the stock intake and etc.It will cost less and make similar or better HP numbers depending on cam and exhaust mods.
Just an idea to suggest.
:)

86PACER

:iagree: :D

c4cruiser

A good rebuild of the 87 motor would probably save you some money. How much HP/torque are you after? There are some good suggestions above. A good valve job with some flow work, intake port matching and a cam like the ZZ4, should wake the engine up. Use high quality parts in the rebuilding process and have the motor blueprinted and balanced. The OEM TPI runners may limit the amount of power and RPM range , but a fix to that would be a Super Ram intake and matching cam.

Long tube headers and a free flowing exhaust system will really help. If you have to run cats, find high-flow versions. Add good wires and a high output coil.

1MoorTym

Pick up the February copy of Car Craft - they are doing a write-up and build-up on the 350 HO your looking at.

You can get this as a short block to save some money and not have to mess with the iron vortecs.

Rebuilding yours is an alternative, but I've found quality machine work is pretty expensive and once you add up all the little things you'll need to do the replacement block approach might make more sense.

Price out all the alternatives - good luck.

87 Ragtop

This will all be for me. My engine is locked up. Dealership has it now and getting me an estimate on repairs. :banghead: :banghead:


[Modified by 87 Ragtop, 12:30 PM 1/4/2004]

vinnies87

:sad: :sad: :sad:

Aggravated4life

Aah that explains it...sorry to hear the motor locked! Lets hope the dealer doesnt sell you a crate engine from them...man thats gonna cost more than thec ar may be worth!!
Good Luck and hope it works out for ya.

87 Ragtop

I doubt I'll do one from them. If I'm going to have to spend the money for a new motor, I'm going to get a faster motor. :steering: I'm going to get an estimate from them for a rebuild. I'm not sure how much damage there is. The oil was fine and the car was acting like it wasn't getting fuel before it locked. I actually thought the starter quit on me since it too was acting up. NEVER did I imagine the engine would lock :( I'll probably get an answer tomorrow and decide from there. This definately wasn't in the budget :(


[Modified by 87 Ragtop, 5:53 PM 1/4/2004]

TPFKATK

Man that sucks. Be sure to let us know what locked it up.
Harold

ZD1

You will need the SDPC TPI intake for this motor...of which I have for about $250 used but clean and ported.

IMHO What you need to look for is the ZZ4 short block (way less than $2K) have your heads rebuilt (250 to 350) and just bolt the heads (with a new cam). At this point you will be SOOO far ahead of thr motor presented.

VetNutJim

Is the SDPC TPI manifold drilled to fit the old style heads AND the vorteckers or just can it be used solely with the vortec heads?

Jason

Latest news? :confused:

h rocks

IME, unless you're going after a real hot rod motor (BIG $$$) just do a ZZ4. It's going to be guaranteed for three years, and if you buy it at the right place, they will take off the waterpump, oil pan etc. and give you credit for it. Buy the thing already screwed together by like a SD or Pace. I've been down the big buck motor build, and it's a major PITA. Very FEW know how to PROM them (NO MATTER WHAT THEY CLAIM!!!) once you get a big cam in a TPI setup. A ZZ4 or similar cam is not too wild, and a zillion of them have been installed successfully. Save yourself the anguish you "hear" in this message!!

87 Ragtop

I just got the call from the dealership......

They want $3850 for a USED motor. This also includes a new fuel pump which as I thought did fail. Hmm decisions decisions decisions.. :lol: :lol: :lol: Obviously I'm going to go for a new motor.

The place I had check on an engine install did tell me that he can get the intake manifold to use. They quoted me $2400 for the engine, $300 for the intake, and approx $500 for the uninstall / reinstall.

It's been suggested by others to me to get different headers and a new Torque Converter. I'm going to start a new thread. Any additional suggestions will be appreciated.