This will be a little long, so I apologize... I've been agonizing over how to get an affordable fresh engine between my fenders for like 4 years. and the old engine is letting me know I better hurry up.

I have a .030 over 350 4 bolt block. I also have fresh 487X heads w/2.02/1.60 stainless valves (76cc).

I wanted to start by taking my stock cast crank to the machine shop to have it checked and ground if necessary. I had also planned to buy new rods and pistons. After talking to the shop, they told me that like the rods, having the stock crank checked and preped would cost almost as much as a new one. They mentioned cast steel 350 cranks being about $180.

For $850 they had a kit with a new cast 3.48 stroke crank, 6" I beam rods, and KB pistons. Rings and bearings were also included. Pistons to be 9.0:1 with 76cc heads (10.3 with 64cc heads for when I upgrade later) The same kit with JE pistons was $1000. Is it worth the extra $150 for JE pistons?

The labor would include zero decking the block, line boring (another shop that checked my block earlier said it was necessary), and boring/honing the block. They would also fit the pistons to the rods, and fit the pistons to the hole when they bore it. They will also file the rings, and check all bearing clearances. They will balance the rotating assembly and install the cam bearings. In the end, they will give me my block back with my crank and piston assemblies for me to final assemble myself. They estimated $800-1000 for the labor, so add the parts, and Ii'm looking at $1600-2000 total.

I'll add the heads I alread have, as well as my 650dp, rpm manifold, and MSD dist. I'd also like to continue using the comp XE284 cam and 1.6 crane gold rockers I'm currently using. I also have cheap hooker 1 5/8 headers with 2 1/2" flowmaster american thunder exhaust (with h-pipe).

Currently I have a stock .030 350 lower end, with 8.5:1 compression. And the XE284 cam and heads as above. Leakdown is between 28% and 45% depending on which cylinder you check....hehe! smile.gif The cranking comp is 165 or so, and pretty even etween cylinders. I've gotten it to 13.54 @104 with my 3700 lb (including me in it) 68 chevelle. I have an M22, 4.66 rear gear, and 255/60-15 BFG's.

Is it worth the extra $ for the JE pistons? Does the parts and labor prices sound to be about right? Would this new engine get me close to or into the 12's? Would it be in the 400-425 hp range? Also, would it be time to get a 750 carb instead of the 650?

Thanks a lot for your opinions.... smile.gif

chris

I think you should come over to my house with a truck and cash and take home a nice , fresh 396 and drop it in your car over the holiday weekend. :D You have mail... graemlins/thumbsup.gif

The fresh engine with more compression will get you closer to the 12's. Stick with the 650 carb and buy some slicks. I have two cars with mild 350's running low 12's with 650 holleys. I have never used the KB piston so I can't personaly knock them but I prefer forged pistons and for a mild engine, the cheaper TRWs or whatever they are called now would work fine.

Unless numbers matching is an issue, go here and buy a built engine:

http://www.maxhorsepower.com/

I'm a Corvette fan/restorer as well. All the guys at corvetteforum.com SWEAR by these engines. You can buy 350-375hp from them for under $1500 (plus shipping, carb, etc., of course).

Brian