Thinking of buying a crate motor for 68 Camaro....
07-23-2006, 12:46 AM
#1
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Thinking of buying a crate motor for 68 Camaro.... I am thinking of swapping out the motor that is in my 68 which is a "turbo fire" 350 right now for something with a little more life...
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GM Performance 454 HO specs...
-425hp@5250/500ftlbs@3250
-4 bolt main
-.510/.540 hydraulic roller cam 112 LSA
-Cast iron heads with rectangular port 118cc combustion chambers, 325cc intake runner
-8.75:1 compression ratio (I wanna run a blower)
Price:4,949.95
(*Does not include carb,distributor,plugs, plug wires)
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GM Performance Parts ZZ383 specs...
-425hp@5400/449ftlbs@4500
-4 bolt main
-.509/.528 hydraulic roller cam 112 LSA
-Fast Burn heads with 62cc combustion chambers, 210cc intake runner
-9.1:1 compression ratio (I wanna run a blower)
Price:5,139.95
(*Does not include carb,intake manifold,distributor,water pump)
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GM Performance Parts ZZ4 350 specs...
-385hp@5600/385ftlbs@4000
-4 Bolt Main
-.474/.510 hydraulic roller cam 112 LSA
-Fast Burn Heads with 62cc combustion chambers, 210cc intake runner
-9.61:1 compression (I wanna run a blower)
Price:4,419.95
(*Does not include carb, plug wires,air cleaner)
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GM Performance turn key 350 specs...
-330hp@5000/380ftlbs@3800
-4 Bolt Main
-.435/.460 hydraulic flat tappet cam
-Vortec cast iron style heads with 64cc chambers and 170cc intake runners
-9.1:1 compression ratio(I wanna run a blower)
Price:4,419.95
(*Includes everything--along with a 600cfm Holley carb, air cleaner, plugs, wires...ect)
**But I will probably be replacing the heads and cam more then likely
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What do you all think? Those are 4 that caught my eye at this time. This probably wont before for awhile though as I am getting the car painted and will probably order the motor then since the guy is taking out the motor to paint the car.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
GM Performance 454 HO specs...
-425hp@5250/500ftlbs@3250
-4 bolt main
-.510/.540 hydraulic roller cam 112 LSA
-Cast iron heads with rectangular port 118cc combustion chambers, 325cc intake runner
-8.75:1 compression ratio (I wanna run a blower)
Price:4,949.95
(*Does not include carb,distributor,plugs, plug wires)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
GM Performance Parts ZZ383 specs...
-425hp@5400/449ftlbs@4500
-4 bolt main
-.509/.528 hydraulic roller cam 112 LSA
-Fast Burn heads with 62cc combustion chambers, 210cc intake runner
-9.1:1 compression ratio (I wanna run a blower)
Price:5,139.95
(*Does not include carb,intake manifold,distributor,water pump)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
GM Performance Parts ZZ4 350 specs...
-385hp@5600/385ftlbs@4000
-4 Bolt Main
-.474/.510 hydraulic roller cam 112 LSA
-Fast Burn Heads with 62cc combustion chambers, 210cc intake runner
-9.61:1 compression (I wanna run a blower)
Price:4,419.95
(*Does not include carb, plug wires,air cleaner)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
GM Performance turn key 350 specs...
-330hp@5000/380ftlbs@3800
-4 Bolt Main
-.435/.460 hydraulic flat tappet cam
-Vortec cast iron style heads with 64cc chambers and 170cc intake runners
-9.1:1 compression ratio(I wanna run a blower)
Price:4,419.95
(*Includes everything--along with a 600cfm Holley carb, air cleaner, plugs, wires...ect)
**But I will probably be replacing the heads and cam more then likely
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
What do you all think? Those are 4 that caught my eye at this time. This probably wont before for awhile though as I am getting the car painted and will probably order the motor then since the guy is taking out the motor to paint the car.
07-23-2006, 02:02 AM
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Personally...as stout as all those crate motors are, I wouldn't recommend any of them (unless budget isn't a concern and you want something that will be very dependable).
For one, if the block right now isn't number matching to the car, or it isn't a concern to keep it matching, why not start with the block you have now for the buildup? Even if you didn't do the work yourself you could still save around $1500 or more as those combos are very easy to duplicate.
You can find brand new or rebuilt motors (carb to pan with all accessories) making 350-375 hp for as little as $2000 or sometimes less! Looking for motors myself I can tell you prices often vary wildly and it is very important to shop around.
Blower motors require different cam grinds to get the most out of them which usually don't make a good N/A motor so no matter what you probably will be changing the cam. Also if you go the blower route you may have to end having to replace other parts such as your bottom end depending on what your power goals are. While the heads are good on those crate motors there are also better ones out there that will net better results.
Pricing this out on your own I think with aluminum heads, a 6-71 blower (this is just an example, you may have something different in mind) proper valvetrain, cam selection, bottom end and other required parts I would expect it to cost in the $4500-5000 range for parts. Versus spending $4500 motor + $2600 blower + $200 cam + $600 bottom end which has already put you at $2000 more not to mention other things that could/will need to be replaced with a N/A crate.
If you don't plan on doing the work yourself I would talk to an engine builder close to you also. That way you also save on the cost of shipping if you decide to have him do it, or if you are building it he can give you a good idea of what direction to go in.
Oh...and I am not saying anything bad about GMs crate motors, I just find them pricey for what they are.
For one, if the block right now isn't number matching to the car, or it isn't a concern to keep it matching, why not start with the block you have now for the buildup? Even if you didn't do the work yourself you could still save around $1500 or more as those combos are very easy to duplicate.
You can find brand new or rebuilt motors (carb to pan with all accessories) making 350-375 hp for as little as $2000 or sometimes less! Looking for motors myself I can tell you prices often vary wildly and it is very important to shop around.
Blower motors require different cam grinds to get the most out of them which usually don't make a good N/A motor so no matter what you probably will be changing the cam. Also if you go the blower route you may have to end having to replace other parts such as your bottom end depending on what your power goals are. While the heads are good on those crate motors there are also better ones out there that will net better results.
Pricing this out on your own I think with aluminum heads, a 6-71 blower (this is just an example, you may have something different in mind) proper valvetrain, cam selection, bottom end and other required parts I would expect it to cost in the $4500-5000 range for parts. Versus spending $4500 motor + $2600 blower + $200 cam + $600 bottom end which has already put you at $2000 more not to mention other things that could/will need to be replaced with a N/A crate.
If you don't plan on doing the work yourself I would talk to an engine builder close to you also. That way you also save on the cost of shipping if you decide to have him do it, or if you are building it he can give you a good idea of what direction to go in.
Oh...and I am not saying anything bad about GMs crate motors, I just find them pricey for what they are.
07-23-2006, 03:13 AM
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I was also looking at a 350 crate motor from year one 400+ hp and tq, $2999 but you need all accesories,carb,pulleys,pumps, ect 
. That could get expensive unless I could reuse some of the parts I have now. I am still at the looking point, So idk right now. The sucky part about the GM crate motors is that they include some stuff that I dont need like a flexplate....which adds to the price, be nice if you option them yourself.
. That could get expensive unless I could reuse some of the parts I have now. I am still at the looking point, So idk right now. The sucky part about the GM crate motors is that they include some stuff that I dont need like a flexplate....which adds to the price, be nice if you option them yourself.
07-23-2006, 02:28 PM
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07-23-2006, 03:10 PM
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It's up to you, but keep in mind that the G.M. warranty is unbeatable. 3/50 parts and labor. Those other companies can't match that. I've replaced several over the counter "crate" motors at the dealer, customer paid nothing.
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07-23-2006, 10:39 PM
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http://www.ultrastreet.net/ i was going to put one of these in my 67 untill i decided for fuel injection. i've read good things about all there engines.
