VetteGoVroom82

How much would be a reasonable price for a new crate motor for a 1982 Corvette? Does anyone know where I can actually buy one besides ebay? Do I need to check out a local Chevy dealership? Would they be too hard for a somewhat beginner like me to install, and would it be easier to take it to a shop, and how much would that cost? I'm contemplating finding a higher mileage car that is selling for 3-4 thousand less than I'll pay, has a good body, and just buying a completely brand new engine. Does anyone have any ideas on this? Thank you!

-Paul
huskerpaulie@yahoo.com

03whitecoupe

There's lots of places on the net where you can get a good idea of what's available and for much including http://www.jegs.com and http://www.sdpc.com . These two will at least give you an idea on what to look for and pricing.

PRNDL

NO, NOT EBAY!! You want the full warranty with a new engine from a dealer, but for best price you probably want one of the higher volume dealers that market over the internet. Your local dealer probably doesnt sell too many crate engines and will quote you GM retail list price. Scoggin Dickey (the link above) seems to have good prices. There is a website ( I think it is http://www.gmperformanceparts.com ) <=sorry, that's not it! that lets you select different dealers and check their prices. We should hear from several on the forum that have done it themselves. Sounds like a good plan to me! :) MJ


[Modified by MNJack, 1:05 PM 1/11/2002]

Signal

http://www.sdpc2000.com/

:)

Just helping!

Jason

Signal

Oh yeah, these guys have some slightly modified GM engines too!
http://www.sallee-chevrolet.com/Site_Map.html

:)

Jason

Neo Fender

Think long and hard about buying anything from E-bay, especially a rebuilt engine. Yes, there are some honest people in the world but when I see a newly rebuilt engine for sale I think "why would someone go through the time, trouble and expense of rebuilding an engine if that have no plans for using it?" Makes one believe that they may have screwed something upduring the rebuild and they're trying to cut their losses by off loading it.

Anyway, try here:
http://www.gmgoodwrench.com/dhtml/pa...s_engine.shtml

Just my $.02, YMMV.


[Modified by Neo Fender, 12:09 PM 1/11/2002]

jerryp58

Midget, SPDC's engines are just too heavy :jester

VetteGoVroom82

Would a 1982 Crate motor fit into any other C3 engine bay? I'm now considering widening my search to any C3, and then just ordering a new 1982 crate motor and sticking it in.

-Paul

VetteGoVroom82

Why are SDPC engines too heavy? Aren't all Corvette crate motors from Chevy, or do other companies make their own "original" motors? If other companies make new Corvette motors too, are these motors considered rebuilit?

-Paul

VetteGoVroom82

Am I mistaken, or is 1982 Corvette compatible-engine only like $1300?!? Is that a good price? It seems like it is to me!

-Paul
huskerpaulie@yahoo.com


[Modified by VetteGoVroom82, 1:23 PM 1/11/2002]

Neo Fender

External engine dimensions are not peculiar to 1982. In other words, a replacement engine for a 1982 car doesn't have to be a 1982 engine.

Corvette's have had V-8s since 1955. C1s, C2s and C3s have all had one of two fundamental types of V-8s, either the small block or big block Chevy (Early C1s had inline sixes).

Although that have been refined over the years (decades actually, the SBC debuted in 1955, the Mark IV BBC in 1965) They are fundamentally the same, at least externally. Your 1982 Corvette was built with a SBC engine.

Rebuilt engines almost always use a used block. A rebuilt engine from a 1970 pickup could fit your car. Don't get wound up into thinking that a replacement engine for your car has to come from, or be built for a 1982 Corvette.

You'd be doing yourself a great service if you hit either the library or the internet and get some basic knowledge on Chevrolet engines before you drop any hard-earned dough on an engine for your car.

Cruzmeisters

I kept checking prices @ http://www.paceparts.com outta Ohio, since I knew they charged a bud $80 shipping to Pgh, Pa. area. ZZ4's were going for $3299 then ('00). I was reading the want-ads in Pgh. P-G, saw an ad "brand new, in the crate ZZ4: $2500". I called him; he said he had other projects to finish, needed $$. He delivered it from Rochester, Pa. to Edgewood, Pa. for $50. His buddy was a service manager @ Unis Motors (nw Pa.?) and his ost was $2900.
The '62 is now so quick I gotta drive with the emergency brake pulled half-way back :bs :bs
Cruz

VetteGoVroom82

Can a 1982 engine fit into any other C3 engine bay? I'm hoping to get the relatively good mileage out of a engine made for an '82.

-Paul


[Modified by VetteGoVroom82, 4:55 PM 1/11/2002]

TRUE-DUALS

Here is who I purchased my ZZ4 from and have been very happy before and after the sale. I hope this helps some.
http://www.greenwoodchevy.com/engine3.htm


[Modified by TRUE-DUALS, 6:47 PM 1/11/2002]


[Modified by TRUE-DUALS, 6:47 PM 1/11/2002]

jerryp58

Paul,

Sorry, I was just being goofy with Midget's link, it goes to the San Diego Precast Concrete Incorporated Home Page :lol:

BTW, If you're talking about the basic GoodWrench 250HP engine (for $1300), I've been looking at that one too. Given that my '77 had 180HP, it seems like it would be a good deal to me. I don't know what intake or exhaust they used to get those numbers, but the price and the warranty are appealing. You may want to do a Search on "crate motors" for some of the previous theads on this subject.

Good Luck & keep us updated on what you do.

Jerry

Z-man

The engine would fit, but why? There would be only a tiny difference in mileage, one that wouldn't be economically noticeable amongst all the expense of purchasing the car and an engine. The chicks won't really be impressed when you brag about your mileage in your Vette... :lol:

There are crate engines that will fit a C3 priced new from $1,300 to $75,000+ (Merlins). All will perform better than a stock 82 engine.

Good luck...

andre77

I had the $1300 crate engine (gm goodwrench) 250hp. It was reliable but very slow. I'm in the process of dropping in a zz4 $3259 (sdpc) now. I found Scoggins dickey very helpful and resonable. They not only shipped it free, but they matched gm parts direct's price after I had already purchased it :seeya

dogboy

I bought the crate goodwrench for about $1,400. shipped from pace chevy. Add about $400 more for other expenses. ie;manifold, gaskets, rental equipment, accesories like a new damper, etc, etc. Its a goodmotor to mod from (4 bolt main)( see articles in Chevy high performance May 2000- & on) .Wished I had done the zz4 but didn't have the $$$ than. It took a weekend with a rental hoist to do the swap. It is tedious labor but its cool when that new motor is hanging in the air & ready for its new home. Get a good auto manual and read through it before you start. Also label all hoses with stickers and place stuff in boxes or bags with labels on them for reassembly ease. If you have it done by someone shop for price. a small shop will chg less than a big corp store. good luck. Oh yea while the engine is out its a good time to do over the engine compartment and check welds to frame. Also swap out to a high stall torque convertor while your at it.

VetteGoVroom82

Thanks for the info. I guess that since I'm going to be using this car almost everyday, I'm trying to save on the mileage a little bit. I saw the mileage numbers between '79 engines and '82 engines, and the difference was like 8 MPG. Was this because of the fuel injection in '82? If so, I guess any crate motor I buy should be alright then. Thanks for your help guys. You've got me psyched on getting a high mileage 'Vette, just so I can put a new engine in it! :)

-Paul

VetteGoVroom82

"Add about $400 more for other expenses. ie;manifold, gaskets, rental equipment, accesories like a new damper, etc, etc. "

Would the cost still be $400 if I had a shop do it? Also, would it take about the same time (a weekend) for them to do too? Thank you!

-Paul