Hey I am getting ready to replace my worn out 307 with a 350 block, and am intrested on how this GM 350 crate motor is. 350/260
www.summitracing.com Part Number: NAL-10067353

Its not much, but im 17 and part time job so I have to look for something thats affordable. Im just wondering if anyone has heard any feedback from the motor or have any suggested set-ups that could be added on to recieve better performance. or all together a motor that I could purchase else where

Thanks For The Help
Blair

Blair here is a direct link for the engine you are considering: http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=NAL%2D10067353&N=115&autoview=sku I think the GM crate engines are a great buy considering you don't have a good block to begin with. I can not give you any specific recommendations, but I'm sure with a better cam, a decent intake and a small 4 barrel, you would definetly wake this thing up on a small budget.

Good Luck!
Mike

Blair

I was in your boat one day. I would probably save another 2000 bucks and get the 330 HO motor. Very good motor! Best thing is the 330 HO has Vortec heads and they have alot of room for growth in the future. The motor you are looking at does not have as much room to grow in the future.

I have a zz4, but I if I had to do it over again I would get the 330 HO. The zz4 heads don't have as much room to grow as the 330 IMO. The zz4 is a strong motor as well. The "Fastburn" 385 horse is nice also.

They have the 383 crates out now. If you can save, this is the way to go. I believe they are rated at 425 horse and 460 ft lbs. The only downside is they are around 5000.

If you have alot of parts around and friends that you can trade parts for the BEST ROUTE would be the zz4 partial motor. Its the zz4 block with PM connecting rods, hyper pistons, and forged crank. You will have to provide the oil pan,fuel pump, cam, lifters, pushrods, heads and hardware,intake, dist. and carb. You can built it to your taste!!!!!!!!!

Alot of the crate motors don't have that "lopey" cam sound that many young kids like. They do have nice power and vacuum though.

Forgot to mention the zz4 partial engine is only 2000 bucks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thats the GM generic 350 Chevy. Super value, IMO. If I needed a new sb Chevy, thats what I'd buy. I'm amazed that the price has remained so low. A few years back, one of the magazines had a performance mod article on this engine. Check this link by a guy asking essentially the same question you have, and BillK's response. If he says it, you can believe it. my $0.02

http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=111375

That's the standard, plain-Jane GM replacement engine. Horsepower rating varies depending on who you talk to. The magazines have run articles on the build-up of that engine. You could do a LOT worse.

You might want to look into NAL-12513151, though. $1799--This is the standard replacement engine for '90-93 Caprice. Comes with a roller hydraulic cam, powdered metal connecting rods, hypereutectic pistons. It is basically the 350 HO shortblock but with 2-bolt mains and a more mild cam.--but with a much smaller price tag. All the important parts are there. It also comes with the swirl-port heads, which are junk from a performance standpoint, but so are the heads on the other engine. When you're ready, drop on a pair of Vortec heads 'n' manifold. I have one of these in my work truck.

Look at NAL-12530283, too. Thats the '96 Vortec-head replacement engine. At least you get an engine with good-flowing heads this way. $2230.

I recently bought a 1986 Full Size Chevy Blazer that has that very GM crate engine in it. It was installed back in 1998 and now has about 80 thousand miles on it. The owner at the time had a local chevy dealer install the engine to replace the original worn out 305. Im very pleased with the power it has, espeically in this Big Ole Blazer.Feels strong and has good low end torque, even in this Big Blazer with 3.08 gears. For the money its hard to beat.Later down the road you could allways make a few upgrades to improve it more, And still not spend to much money doing so. To me, its a very good engine to start out with.

For the price of the zz4 you can do a lot better finding a used 350 and have it rebuilt for cheaper and get the same power.I would never pay more than $2,000 for 350 horse. The 260 horse gm engine is a good deal at $1300. And they are dependable little motors.

That is one hell of an engine - perfect for a guy with a budget. Although there are certainly other higher horsepower ways to go, just about none will deliver a better long term bang for the buck. Take care of it and that engine will go 150,000 miles or more. It passes the GM validation tests for 125,000 miles.

If you had any thought of serious performance upgrades - then I would suggest starting with a more suitable base.

Thomas

i built my 350 that put down 268hp to the wheels with a powerglide, no tune, and exhaust leak for 1200.

its basically the 260hp 350, but i have the xe268 cam, stock heads, that are opened up a little. heads were all redone, new valves, guides, springs, retainters, new intake, new carb, new pistons, bearings, crank. only thing reused was the block rods and heads.

i am one for building my own engine. but its the little stuff that nickle and dimes ya. if you have most of the stuff already, and knowledge, go ahead and build one. but the 260hp 350 isnt that bad, it jsut has 8.0:1cr and a very calm cam. throw in my cam, and a decent intake carb ignition and look at about 300-320hp.
oh and im 17 as well. so i know what you mean by being on a budget.

aaron

There is a guy on a truck board I go to thats running that motor. He said he installed a Comp 268 cam (not sure which version) a performer rpm and a 3310 750 vaccum carb and it ran low 14`s in a truck with 3.73 gears and a 2500stall. I use to have a 68 p/u with a Gm crate motor. not sure if it was the 260hp motor but it ran really good for a 4300lbs truck. I would go for it. for the price, you can`t beat it.

I don't know what the shipping is going to be for that motor to you from them, but check with your local chevy dealers. Here I run a few miles up the road to Apple Chevy. They stock crate engines. Therefore I don't pay the shipping. That motor is a standard low end replacement engine. I have the same short block in my car, no issues after 5 years. Later when you get the bucks throw a cam and some vortech heads at it.

I installe done of those in an 80z28 for friend. It is a good running motor and has reasonable performance for the money. If you have a few extra bucks change the cam, before you put it ina and later on when you have the money you can change the heads. It's a good foundation, that has the 2 piece rear seal and 4 bolt mains. I run the 350/330 ho and it involved a new fly wheel, intake and so on. it got real expensive quick.

IMO it's a pretty good deal, but I would try to find one local so the warranty is easier to deal with. I bet there is a dealer somehwere close to you that would be close to Summits price.There was a couple on Ebay out of AZ.
BTW when the say 260hp are they talking gross HP or are they talking net HP? My Trans AM Lt-1 is 285hp stock and has good power....

There is a 290Hp version of the GM 350 for a few hundred more dollars.Summit has if for $1629.
Part # NAL-12499529

I just bought a HO350 from them and it was only an extra $90 delivered to my shop.No sales tax.Local dealer couldnt touch their price.

I have two of those engines. One is in my 67 El Camino w/292 RV cam and headers and original carb/intake. Been in there about 7-8 years.

The other one is in my restified 58 Impala w/headers, Edelbrock performer intake and carb. It hauls that ol' 4000 lb boat quite respectably. Been running it on the highway for over a year.

If you aren't looking for the ZZumptiump bragging rights, this engine is probably the best buy and most practical buy on the market.

If I'm not mistaken, Summit figures the 260HP number assuming the engine will be equipped with headers, a 4bbl carb and a dual plane intake.

I would also recommend you find a dealer close by who buys their engines at "truck-load" prices. Dealers who don't buy at truckload prices can't sell the engine at the $1400 price and make money.

I like Rick's (Professor_SS) idea.
I'd take the Summit ad to at least a couple local Chevy dealers and see if they could get one to you any cheaper.

I've got an 84 Corvette with 170,000 miles on it, still runs really well, but I figure that I might be on borrowed time by now, and figure in the next couple years, I'll could be looking at a crate small block too.