rugby!

91 auto/coupe. i have $8000 to spend. need info. on maybe changing my 2.59 gears to 3.07 or higher? i still want good gas mileage because i drive it everyday. i have a magnaflow cat-back system. should i get a stall-converter(2000)? should i get a crate motor or rebuild mine to an 383 stroker or something else? mine has 104k miles but runs great i will have to have the labor work done by a shop so i have to figure that in the price. i may add more as we go thanks

aeronautica86

sounds like a 383 is probably the best route for you

ol,RJ

shop labor will eat up money fast..........
If you can find a good tuner/shop (that you can trust) I'd ask them what they recommend for your money.
I'd also look into trading up.
I know nobody likes to consider this (we all get attached to our cars) but that $8K plus your vette in trade might get you into a nice LT1 vette, maybe even a higher mile early C5?
your 91 came with 245-250hp,
LT1's have 300hp,
a 97 C5 has 345hp, so you get about 100hp gain over the 91 (ask the shop how much $ it would take to get your 91 a 100hp gain). food for thought.
RJ

zelement

I have to agree. Labor is very very expensive, especially for a custom job. Also, it's hard to find a good reputable shop that you can trust.
$8000 is not that much money for a good buildup when you don't do any of the work. You have to ask yourself what you are ultimately looking for? If you just want more hp then i would say trade up to an LT4 or C5. If you want to build a hot rod then you will need more than $8000.

gpagaduan

Something to consider: A 91 Vette + a new engine will not increase the value of the car (if that's important to you). On the other hand, lets say you can get $8-10K for you car. Add your $8K cash and you can buy a higher HP $16K-18K vette that will still be valued at $16-18K.

corvette-pilot

If you put in a new motor you can either save the original incase you sell the car or sell it off and reduce the cost of the new one.
But like others have said, put the money towards a new model all together would make more sence

LD85

I agree, my engine cost double what I had planned. If I knew then what I know now,,,,,,,,,,,

kwik_ta

I hate to say it, but I have to agree with this. For that amount of money, you'd be better off finding a newer low milage car and going that route. At least then you will gain power and not loose your investment. Anytime you begin customizing your ride, you never recoup the $$$ you put in, and more often than not, it lowers the value of your car. However, I get very attached to my cars and like them to have personal touches that I may add to make them stand out from the crowd. If you are like me, I'd suggest building the motor to your likings.

There are several things that you can do to reduce the blow to your pocket book. If you have the ability to pull the motor yourself, go that route and just send the bottom end to the rebuild shop. You can score a set of Vortec heads and a TPI base intake from a speed shop, then get the upper intake as time and $$$ allows.

This will get you the motor you want, rather than one that was prefabbed for the masses. You can select your cam, compression ratio, heads, quality of parts, and so many other factors that you don't get to pick from with a crate motor. there's my two cents...

CFI-EFI

At least. I like 3.54's. Yes, but you'll be happier with something in the 2600 to 3000 range. With paying labor for EVERYTHING, go crate.

The trade advocates make good points. But can you BUY a car that will give you what you want??? Only you can answer that one.

RACE ON!!!

Strike3

If I had it to do over, I would buy the new crate engine from GM High Performance ZZ 383/425 (part number 12498772). I've shopped around and found it as low as $4,300.00. This engine has all the bells and wistles and carries the GM warenty. It really a full package with forged crank, rods and pistons,,Fastburn aluminum heads with roller rockers, a good hot roller cam (a little more agressave than the famed 219). It's rating of 425 HP is based on carburator asperation (not included) but top it off with the TPiS miniram (they make one just for the fastburn heads, part # 500-530) and their series V chip and exhaust headers (TPiS part # 200-014) and this puppy will probably crank out in excess of 540 HP. All while being very streetable.

Put some 3.73 gears in the rear-end and you got one heck of a ride. And well within your 8K budget.

CMYC4GO

Although I am completely biased toward the L98 engines, I've got to go with the majority on this one. Trade up! I sold my 85 to another forum member and just picked up a flawlwess 60K 91 with a six speed, and both tops (the painted one had never been on the car/still wrapped in plastic) for $10,500 which IMHO was a steal
If you like the C5 (which I don't) I know a guy right here in OKC that has an 00 Black/Black coupe w/6spd, under 30 on the clock that he's asking 21K for, and maybe less for cash in hand...
The deals are out there if you wanna look

rocco16

...and I have to agree.

Larry

redbullapril23

crate would be bad azz. first thing you need to do before even thinking about this is find a shop that you can trust! corvette specific is best.

you could porb get $700-$1000 if you sold your engine. also is this a daily driver?

with a crate engine wouldnt he want a different trans and rear. I think 3.54s would be good.

are you looknig for a 1/4 beast or a daily driver with power?
and do you have to worry about emmissions?

thanks alot your friend
Sean

rugby!

ok i cant sell the car that would be like giving up a kid (and the vette gives me more smiles ) so i think i am going with a crate either a zz4(355hp/400tq) $3700 or a zz383(425hp/460tq) $4600. the only place close to me to install is dealership a friend of mine is the service manager and install is $1600. if anyone has either i would like to hear some feed back. i will use the car as a daily driver but i want to surprise anyone who comes up on me. no worry about emmissions thank god

Teenangel

Crate motor baby

GeosFun

I like the crate idea too. But do not forget you also need high performance induction (I forgot what year car you have), probably headers and a chip. These three items cost about the same as the crate engine itself.

I have puzzled over similar issues, including passing smog. I always end up comparing the stock engine with some minor mods (primarily induction and a cam) with a Pro-charger to what a normally aspirated project will cost. The cost is around $4500 with the intercooler and there are no smog problems. Not a bad alternative. I put an aftermaket turbo on my 1990 Ford dually deisel and it has been a no-brainer for years. The L-98 should be a no-brainer too as long as you stay within its performance envelope. Food for thought. I might end up doing that.

zelement

GMPP crate motors are very nice! If you want to keep it and you only have $8000, I would go that route.

I had a ZZ4 shortblock with AFR heads, HOt cam, and miniram. Made 367rwhp with an auto, so around 430hp at crank. I would buy the fast burn 385 and slap the Hot cam kit in there and a miniram on top, you should make around the same power.

You will still need injectors, gears, TB, and custom chip.
You will be right under $8K

SunCr

Get what you can for your '91 and then take that and your $8500 and buy a new C5. The deals are incredible (at least here in So. CAL so you may have to use a few $'s on a plane ticket). You will have a better car plus a warranty.

cv67

If you really love the car, and want bigger power than the 355, sell the L98 and build a 406. A cast crank 2 bolter will hold up fine, provided you dont twist it too high, and their cheap to build. Spend good $$ on cyl. heads, And a very conservative roller cam . 3rd gear smokies and emission legal! I bet you could do this for 6K or less. Spend the rest on rear tires. Then go C5 hunting!

LT1Vetteguy78

if i had 8k and could do it all over again... some nice lT4 heads, LT4 hotcam, 1.6 rr's, LT headers, 3000 Tq Converter, 3.55 gears..and i would say that would all cost about 6-7k and i would be more happy them i am now and prolly have $1000 to spend on the new tires i would have needed........