What's the highest preforming crate engine I can buy for a 1990 Corvette
09-23-2006, 08:58 PM
#1
Pro
Thread Starter
What's the highest preforming crate engine I can buy for a 1990 Corvette
With the least amount of modification?
Can I use a zz4 engine? I have determined that I have a spun bearing on my stock L98. Long story -- see my other threads.
I have half a mind to rebuild it and the better half a mind to buy a crate engine from GM parts direct or some place similar.
http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/perfPac...rate%20Engines
Are there any engines that would preform better than stock that would bolt right up and play nicely with the rest of the car = computer/tranny/fuel injection system(TPI)???
What about just buying the a short block?
I saw that you could buy a stock l98 short block from GM parts direct for 1150. But I think if I'm rebuilding it - I'd like to have more than stock HP.
Can I use a zz4 engine? I have determined that I have a spun bearing on my stock L98. Long story -- see my other threads.
I have half a mind to rebuild it and the better half a mind to buy a crate engine from GM parts direct or some place similar.
http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/perfPac...rate%20Engines
Are there any engines that would preform better than stock that would bolt right up and play nicely with the rest of the car = computer/tranny/fuel injection system(TPI)???
What about just buying the a short block?
I saw that you could buy a stock l98 short block from GM parts direct for 1150. But I think if I'm rebuilding it - I'd like to have more than stock HP.
Last edited by Archaea; 09-27-2006 at 06:11 AM.
09-23-2006, 11:21 PM
#6
Pro
Thread Starter
A friend of mine found this
http://www.golenengineservice.com/ht..._injected.html
These are direct bolt ons for the TPI vettes. One of these makes 460 HP for 5300 bucks. That's a ton of HP...Would our car's drivetrain even be able to handle that?
What intake? Is that 405 HP engine? Is that making 405 HP with our stock TPI intake?
http://www.golenengineservice.com/ht..._injected.html
These are direct bolt ons for the TPI vettes. One of these makes 460 HP for 5300 bucks. That's a ton of HP...Would our car's drivetrain even be able to handle that?
What intake? Is that 405 HP engine? Is that making 405 HP with our stock TPI intake?
09-23-2006, 11:46 PM
#7
Team Owner
Member Since: Sep 2001
Location: Athens AL
Posts: 59,733
Received 1,422 Likes
on
1,029 Posts
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
You need to pay attention to how these things are rated, theyre usually done with carbs and headers on the motor. If its called a TPI bolt-on, then they mightve rated it with a modified intake---not something they pulled right off a camaro or corvette. I'd call and ask.
So dont expect their power numbers to be realized if you throw your intake on it. You'll need to start modifying it as well.
That said, ZZ4 is the same engine as the later L98, just rated with a carb and headers, so it wont make 350hp with a TPI on it. Its the same heads, but with different springs and a different cam.
If you go with a big torque motor, like a 383, then expect the transmission to start having problems eventually. Could be 2 days after install, could be 2 years, it'll go when it wants.
In any event, a chip must be done for the engine, and you may need bigger injectors to feed it.
So dont expect their power numbers to be realized if you throw your intake on it. You'll need to start modifying it as well.
That said, ZZ4 is the same engine as the later L98, just rated with a carb and headers, so it wont make 350hp with a TPI on it. Its the same heads, but with different springs and a different cam.
If you go with a big torque motor, like a 383, then expect the transmission to start having problems eventually. Could be 2 days after install, could be 2 years, it'll go when it wants.
In any event, a chip must be done for the engine, and you may need bigger injectors to feed it.
09-24-2006, 12:52 AM
#10
Le Mans Master
09-24-2006, 01:40 AM
#11
Pro
Thread Starter
that's carbed...
I'd rather stay TPI
Check this link out...seems like really cheap prices.
http://www.rebuiltcrateengines.com/c...c-103_104.html
EDITED 9-26
This place is the cheapest I've found so far. See a post on the second page for more info after I called them. They said they could build me a 383 that would make about 350 HP at the crank using my stock TPI system for less than 3G.
I'd rather stay TPI
Check this link out...seems like really cheap prices.
http://www.rebuiltcrateengines.com/c...c-103_104.html
EDITED 9-26
This place is the cheapest I've found so far. See a post on the second page for more info after I called them. They said they could build me a 383 that would make about 350 HP at the crank using my stock TPI system for less than 3G.
Last edited by Archaea; 09-26-2006 at 09:50 PM.
09-24-2006, 01:53 AM
#12
Pro
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by vader86
You need to pay attention to how these things are rated, theyre usually done with carbs and headers on the motor. If its called a TPI bolt-on, then they mightve rated it with a modified intake---not something they pulled right off a camaro or corvette. I'd call and ask.
So dont expect their power numbers to be realized if you throw your intake on it. You'll need to start modifying it as well.
That said, ZZ4 is the same engine as the later L98, just rated with a carb and headers, so it wont make 350hp with a TPI on it. Its the same heads, but with different springs and a different cam.
If you go with a big torque motor, like a 383, then expect the transmission to start having problems eventually. Could be 2 days after install, could be 2 years, it'll go when it wants.
In any event, a chip must be done for the engine, and you may need bigger injectors to feed it.
So dont expect their power numbers to be realized if you throw your intake on it. You'll need to start modifying it as well.
That said, ZZ4 is the same engine as the later L98, just rated with a carb and headers, so it wont make 350hp with a TPI on it. Its the same heads, but with different springs and a different cam.
If you go with a big torque motor, like a 383, then expect the transmission to start having problems eventually. Could be 2 days after install, could be 2 years, it'll go when it wants.
In any event, a chip must be done for the engine, and you may need bigger injectors to feed it.
Vader,
you say the ZZ4 is the same engine as the Later L98? Are you meaning what I have? the 1990? IF the TPI intake kills the hp from 350 to 245HP ------that's pathetic!!!
And when you say looming transmission problems are you talking about the clutch, or the actual gearbox on the ZF six speed with an upgrade to a 383? On that link that shows the 405 HP and 460 HP engine for just over 5g. One specifies the mini-ram intake and the other does not specify an intake. I'll have to call and verify, but to me that means the 460HP engine for $5300 gives you the extra HP because it uses the mini-ram intake, and the 405HP engine for $5200 gives you the HP with the stock TPI intake. I'll have to call and find out. But that's a lot of HP with a stock intake if that's the case. 405HP on my 1990 would be enough to cream the c5's. That's pretty darn cool for 5G. I spent $6,400 on the car. Spent $830 on the clutch, flywheel, pressureplate. Then spend another $5,500 on the engine. Assuming that 405 HP is accurate. That'd be an easy 12 second vette for less than 13G with practically new drivetrain and new engine. (assuming the zf-six speed is still in good shape!)
09-24-2006, 02:08 AM
#13
Team Owner
Member Since: Sep 2001
Location: Athens AL
Posts: 59,733
Received 1,422 Likes
on
1,029 Posts
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
ZZ4 is basically the same thing, but the cam they put in it with headers and a 750 carb and intake will get some power. Once you put TPI on it, the intake chokes the hell out of it, and you'll be lucky to make 300hp, much less 350.
They probably just mean a TPI-style injection system for those engines, which means any intake they can find to rate with.
Yes, like in your other thread, the clutch will go first. The ZF should be fine for awhile (the synchros will probably give out one day)
They probably just mean a TPI-style injection system for those engines, which means any intake they can find to rate with.
Yes, like in your other thread, the clutch will go first. The ZF should be fine for awhile (the synchros will probably give out one day)
09-24-2006, 02:17 PM
#20
Heel & Toe
Member Since: Aug 2006
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
vader 86 please read.
Originally Posted by vader86
You need to pay attention to how these things are rated, theyre usually done with carbs and headers on the motor. If its called a TPI bolt-on, then they mightve rated it with a modified intake---not something they pulled right off a camaro or corvette. I'd call and ask.
So dont expect their power numbers to be realized if you throw your intake on it. You'll need to start modifying it as well.
That said, ZZ4 is the same engine as the later L98, just rated with a carb and headers, so it wont make 350hp with a TPI on it. Its the same heads, but with different springs and a different cam.
If you go with a big torque motor, like a 383, then expect the transmission to start having problems eventually. Could be 2 days after install, could be 2 years, it'll go when it wants.
In any event, a chip must be done for the engine, and you may need bigger injectors to feed it.
So dont expect their power numbers to be realized if you throw your intake on it. You'll need to start modifying it as well.
That said, ZZ4 is the same engine as the later L98, just rated with a carb and headers, so it wont make 350hp with a TPI on it. Its the same heads, but with different springs and a different cam.
If you go with a big torque motor, like a 383, then expect the transmission to start having problems eventually. Could be 2 days after install, could be 2 years, it'll go when it wants.
In any event, a chip must be done for the engine, and you may need bigger injectors to feed it.