SteveG75

Ok, here are the choices:

1. Crate 383
-4 bolt main
-new rods/piston crank
-Crane 284 hyd cam
-Sportsmen II head
-New pan, oil pump, balancer
-Ad says 410 HP/450 ft lbs
$2700

2. Rebuild L-48
-XE268 cam, Vortec heads
-New pistons, crank, rods
-Cam+head+crank+rod+piston+rings ~$1700 (without misc stuff and gaskets)
-405 HP/440 ft lbs

phoenix

Sounds like a no-brainer if you are not into originality :D I'm not... and will be making some choices like this next summer.

Where are you finding the 383 for $2700? Is it a new block? What intake (will it fit under the stock hood)? What is your rear gear? Tranny? If you have an auto with 3.08, I would DEFINITELY do the 383, the XE268 cam doesn't do too well with that setup. I tried it in my 76 before it was totalled and really wish that I had gone with the xe268 instead.

Just my opinion though. :D Either way, more power is better, if you have the money...

The_Dude

Crate motor seems like the obvious choice, but you should seriously check out the builder. See if you can get any references.

QuickVet

get a crate motor, but that one sounds to cheap to be very reliable.

tnt76vette

Ya might be reachin' a bit puttin' 400+ HP in an L-48 Block as they only have 2 bolt main bearing caps....whatever ya do, have FUN :yesnod: :flag :seeya

SteveG75

The 383 crate is from http://www.allchevyengines.com . Their normal 383/410HP is $3199. The $2700 price is one listed on the Engine Special page. Here is the list of components of the standard 383.

New GM 4 bolt main 350 block (std bore size)
New Elgin std/std cast steel "stroker crank"
Eagle forged rods
TRW hypereutectic pistons (10:1 comp)
Crane 284 hydraulic flat tappet camshaft (488 lift, 228@50)
Heavy duty Cloyes timing set
Michigan 77 bearings
High volume oil pump
Fel-Pro gaskets
World Products "Sportsman II" heads
Hard seats and guides for unleaded or reg fuel
New 2.02" stainless intake valves
New 1.60" stainless exhaust valves
Screw in studs and guideplates
New springs
New pushrods
Crane Cams roller rockers
New oil pan, timing cover, chrome valve covers
New GM harmonic balancer damper
New heavy duty flexplate (standard trans. flywheel extra)
Edelbrock Performer RPM intake manifold
Balanced, blueprinted and assembled
only $3199

The_Dude

Here is the Better Business Bureau report on them.
http://www.waco.bbb.org/common.html?...245&national=Y

MIKER

Sounds like a great deal. Do your homework and the choice will be clear. Ask the business for references, ask them as many questions as you can think of and check with the Better Business Bureau to see if they have any complaints against them.

One of the other Forum members suggested the BBB idea in another post. I think it is a good idea!

zwede

Personally, I would only get a crate motor from GM. What's stopping them from giving you an old block, used heads etc? Also, 6 complaints to the BBB and an 'unsatisfactory' status is reason alone to avoid them!

Look into a ZZ4 crate from a reputable dealer such as scoggin-dickey or Sallee.

MIKER

tnt76vette,
What do you think the HP limit is for a 2 bolt block? I don't have any personal experience with 2 bolt or 4 bolt bearing caps failing, I was just curious about what your take is on the subject. I've read arguments from both sides 2 bolt vs. 4 bolt.
Does anybody have any engine failure stories that are directly related to the main bearings?
I sure hope that I never learn first hand! :smash:

zwede

Scoggin-Dickey ZZ4 engine is $3399. Would definetely be my choice over the allchevyengines.
http://www.sdpc2000.com/cart.asp?act...tart&catid=120

ylose

I rebuilt...i reached it....any questions ? :jester

-she aint the best...but she is mine-

IWantAC3

Ok the ignorant little boy(me) needs to ask a question:What are 2 and 4 bolt mains, I am confused.

SteveG75

Dude, Thanks for the link. They also didn't bother to reply to my e-mail so "NO BUSINESS FOR THEM".

Looking now at http://www.golensengineservice.com .

Choice of 400 HP 383 longblock for $2999 or 425 HP 406 for $3199. "Lifetime Labor Warranty" with limits of course. But they are only about 1.5 hours up the road so it may just be worth a drive.

tnt76vette

I assure you Gentlemen, I am not here to throw flames.....but if 2 bolts are so strong, then why did they go to 4? :flag :seeya

Chris B

The crankshaft is held up to the block by the main bearing caps, one on each end of the crank. It's like a U-clamp clamping the crank to the block. GM used 2 bolts at each cap on standard engines, 4 bolts each cap for higher-powered engines. 4-bolt engines theoretically will withstand higher pressure on the piston downstroke caused by stronger detonation of the more powerful engine without failure of the bearing cap. People building high-output engines generally prefer 4-bolt blocks as more likely to hold up to the increased power.

ZD75blue

you guys can run 600 horse in a 2 bolt block, just need some heavy duty milodin caps, and arp bolts... and luck

i voted rebuild and a crate

ZD

MIKER

tnt76, GOOD POINT! Simply put and hard to dispute!
I am using a 4 bolt block but the difference between the two of them did not concern me. I figured that it is a wash for my application.
But I have read material that indicated that the the "4" bolt, (two bolts right next to each other created a weak spot??? I certainly don't know enough about it to argue the point but I have never heard of an engine failing due to the 2 bolt setup being insufficient.
I just want more information on this topic so that I can discuss it with from an informed standpoint. Know what I mean? :)

MassVette

Get the GM fastburn 385 crate................best quality bang for the buck... my 2c.

:chevy :chevy

woodenichols

I rebuilt mine a couple of times (long story) but finally bought GM HO454 crate. I should have done it to begin with. I am no mechanic though, and have to rely on others to do the work. Just can't beat "Brand Spanking New"!