Hey everyone, Wondering if anyone out there has experiance dropping in a crate motor. I have a 78 corvette that is #'s matching and plant too keep the org motor, but for the time being I want some hp. Looking for suggestions on crate motors-turn key, that wont break the bank, I found some for 3300 but am being told this is too much, I thought it was fair but any suggestions and locations would be great.

thanks

 

I'd recommend getting a GM crate motor. There are reputable companies out there that offer more claimed HP, and some of them are good, some a bit too stressed, etc., but GM motors are always good and tend to be configured so they go in easy in a variety of situations: they bolt in and the throttle and radiator and fuel and other hoses will fit in nearly anything - a lot of thinking went into that.

Incidently, the HP ratings of crate motors do not compare directly to flywheel rating as installed in a car: my experience is that a 385 HP crate motor is equivalent, when installed, of 325-340 HP from the factory.

 

Plus the GM crate engines come w/ a warranty.

 

I agree with 73Shark. Go with a GM crate engine for the warranty. That's what I did with my 69. I also kept the original engine, which I hope to some day rebuild. But, for the convenience and warranty go GM crate.

 

i agree that the gm crate motor is the way to go, say did you buy from gm performance? where did you go to find the info on engines for sale? I also plan on keeping the org and restoring some day. thanks for all the advice to date.

 

I found their site by googling gmperformenceparts.I liked their prices,too!
Ron

 

Trust me, I speak from experience when I say go with the GM crate engine. I installed the 350 HO (330 HP) engine in the 69 Corvette and the 69 Camaro. I purchased the deluxe package that comes with everything except the starter, fuel pump, pulleys and accessories. Each engine ran $3,600 with a three year warranty. They have Vortec heads and really perform great. The only change that I made was to replace the 625 Holley carbs with 675 Demons. We drove the Vette on the Power Tour last year and it ran flawlessly. This year we are taking the Camaro. I swapped in a new TKO 500 5 Speed to help reduce RPM's at cruising speeds. The Power Tour is the most legal fun you can have with a car on the street.

 

Lee,
You got me thinking about GM over rating the HP from their crate engines.
Since I started with a 385hp crate engine I thought I would give GM performance parts a call to verify this.
They said " all of their crate engines are dynoed and verified to the actual hp 385hp = 385hp.

So they say?

Schoon

 

I received a dyno sheet with mine. It showed 338 HP at 5300 RPM and 392 lb ft of torque at 3500 RPM. So at least in my case the advertised HP is less than actual by 8 HP.

 

I guess I will never know what the actual HP was I first dropped in my crate engine.
It's pretty well jacked up since then.

Schoon