Crate engines ... again

[CG]

Seems like this is ever changing. Im thinking a crate engine is perfect for my panel and burb. But I have zero desire for any high horse power or stump pulling torque. Just looking for a decent all around engine. I looked at a lot of places I see that guys here have purchased from, ouch on price, and more than I need in an engine.

Im thinking a plain ol 350 (I dont want an LS at all, not an option) with maybe an upgrade to one of the new fuel injection units that looks like a carb. Doubt Ill ever tow, but I think road tripping will be a thing and we have a lot of mountains to go over to get anyplace, fuel injections seems like a reliable way to go.

Summit or Jegs maybe? Im seeing some remanned engines from a company called VEGE, never heard of em. ATK has some decent priced ones. Chevy performance has the 350 TBI truck crate engine 210 HP for 3400 bucks, this one seems OK.

Any recent thoughts on this sort of thing, or do all the old opinions still hold?

[Getter-Done]

I would probably go with summit or jegs.

Hey look even A mo Zon has them.

Link: https://www.amazon.com/MDR-Performan...3833053&sr=8-8

[FRCvette]

I did buy a 210 hp 350 from jegs a little over 4 years ago when I still had my 70. It was a lot less than 3400 back then tho. Put a holley sniper on it and I was very happy with the set up. Wish I still had it.

[Warrens69GMC]

Vege and ATK I would pass on them, Blueprint seems to be ok.

I used to sell the Vege and ATK, would not want them in my vehicles.

I bought a Smeding Performance 383 short block that has mechanical fuel pump provision, and can handle a factory style roller cam. 2850 for a all new short block (not reman ) shipped seemed to me a good deal.

Top it off with 72cc new heads (made by Dart), and you get 9.2 compression
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/s...BoCKx0QAvD_BwE

With 67cc Vortec heads (made by Dart) you get 9.7 to 1
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/s...BoC0rkQAvD_BwE

[Sheepdip]

Don't get any cheaper than this and free shipping.

https://autoplicity.com/12643002-gm-...iABEgLsCfD_BwE

[Warrens69GMC]

Originally Posted by Sheepdip

Don't get any cheaper than this and free shipping.

https://autoplicity.com/12643002-gm-...iABEgLsCfD_BwE

A bare LS3 block?

12673475

[Sheepdip]

Originally Posted by Warrens69GMC

A bare LS3 block?

12673475

Didn't read the fine print just saw the pic....my bad.

[dagnabbitt]

Get a Blueprint. They have a wide variety of engines, carbureted and fuelie. Dollar for dollar they are the best option, I think, and they have an excellent warranty, too.

[HO455]

Personally these days I would pick up a used engine locally. The LS craze has infected the world and the result is perfectly good engines can be found for sale at good prices. If you're lucky you might be able to drive one before it gets pulled.

[Rickysnickers]

I bought a Blueprint engine, through Summit. I runs great and I haven't had one issue with it.

[72SB]

+3 on Blueprint. They are new motors, not rebuilds with a great warranty. 4 bolt main, 1 piece RMS, full roller hydraulic cam, modern heads

However if you can find a GMPP (maybe through Pace) that is also a new stock 350 motor but will make considerably less HP than a Blueprint.

I bought mine direct from Blueprint. Free shipping. Got it in 4 days

[72c20customcamper]

Why not rebuild the Motor locally ?

I’m in the same boat with the Golden .Replace ,rebuild the 327 or just put the 4.2 that is real low mileage from my Envoy in it as the frame on it is going . Not much info on the 4.2 swap but I do know I may have trouble with the oil pan . Don’t think anyone makes a rear dump pan for it

[PbFut]

The only thing I can add is the use of a roller cam. Most of today's oil is not blended for flat tappet lifters and its only going to get worse. Roller will add a few bucks. As for Gen 1 vs LS. LS is way more efficient but accessory cost to swap will likely eat up any run time savings. I tend to agree with staying Gen 1. Even though the LS is a way better engine.

[CG]

I did a sort of dive in to blueprint and honestly as good as they are they just are too much and I’m not looking for any kind of extra performance over stock.

So far GM crate tbi sounds good.

[Steeveedee]

Originally Posted by CG

I did a sort of dive in to blueprint and honestly as good as they are they just are too much and I’m not looking for any kind of extra performance over stock.

So far GM crate tbi sounds good.

I've been looking at Blueprint as well. But as you noted, they're all high performance. I don't need 460 HP or high revving. I'm looking at the 454 and it requires at least a 2000 rpm stall converter. Anyone know what a stock converter's stall rpm is? I have a 402 with a 400 trans behind it in my truck.

[Wrenchbender Ret]

The real original crate engines are new engines made by GM. The rest are remans with wood wrapped around them. The basic 350 replacement engine will run with excellent reliability for many years. I have sold & installed a hundred or more with no comebacks.
They are available from Summit & Jegs sometimes with free shipping.

George

[MikeB]

I've installed at least three of the base GM Goodwrench 350s over the years, including one in my pickup back in the early 90s. Those things will easily get the job done for your intended use. Smooth idle and plenty of low-mid RPM torque.

With a 600cfm 4-bbl and dual exhausts, mine ran very well, and would even get 13-14mpg on the highway with a TH350 and 3.08 axle.

Was going to post a link, but it looks like GM no longer makes that model. The part number is 12681429.

[71meangreenc10]

I am going through this right now. If cost is a problem, then you are in a bind. I have done almost everything except a LS swap (That is coming with the Motor Home) and what I can tell you that everything is out of whack at the moment. I have my engines machined and I build them myself. Look at my build thread for Papaws Truck. Every engine design has a problem to deal with. Your budget is the solution to the GM flaws. I am doing a roller cam to a GEN 1 block and it is just not a "Few Bucks" to change it. With stock heads you have to change the Springs, Rockers, Push Rods, Timing Chain Set up, set the end play, it is a costly pain in the rear. I have almost the same amount of cost in the machining and parts of the heads and block as I do in this roller set up....

The other thing is what is the rest of the drive train look like? OD trans, rear end gears?

We are in some interesting times for sure my friend.

Smitty

[72SB]

Yes the Blueprint engines are more a performance build than the what used to be available "GM crate motor". But they are relatively mild builds and will run a 100k +mi like a stock motor would. The cams generally are 220/224 on 112 LSA with mid .5xx lifts, full roller cams, 4 bolt mains, 1 piece RMS and a 50k mi warranty. The idle is smooth with just a slight lope from cam. Street manners are excellent. A good 2k stall torque converter drives just like stock. I have the HUGHES HD 2k stall. BPE really has the build and fabrication down. Their shop tour is impressive and would rival any GM engine plant. Every motor is dyno run so them come "broken in". I bought the long block (oil pan to heads) and put on my own intake and carb (600 cfm, same size BPE dyno motor with)

I weighed the cost of rebuilding my 327 and it was not even close to what the BPE was (read rebuild was more) and would have made less power, still been a 2 bolt main with 2 piece RMS and a flat tappet cam. frankly just antiquated.

Having a 400hp SBC compared to 250hp ish of a GM crate these days is a no brainer. 400hp makes a very nice driver and I get 15 mpg not even trying to save gas with a TH350 and 3:08 gears. YMMV

[Steeveedee]

I went and did some homework. Stock starts at around 1500 stall. Looking at Summit, those converters must be lined with gold! I guess I've been out of the auto repair business too long. So, $9k for an engine, $1/2k for a converter. May as well go whole hog and put in a 4L80E and get it over with. The 400 has over 220k miles with one rebuild.

[71meangreenc10]

Originally Posted by Steeveedee

I went and did some homework. Stock starts at around 1500 stall. Looking at Summit, those converters must be lined with gold! I guess I've been out of the auto repair business too long. So, $9k for an engine, $1/2k for a converter. May as well go whole hog and put in a 4L80E and get it over with. The 400 has over 220k miles with one rebuild.

What Engine did you look at may I ask? The 341HP's from BP were $4569 on Summit just a minute ago. $4200 for a long block, which is still a lot of $$$$ to me.

But now you got to check the exhaust manifold fit on the aluminum heads and see if that is a cost to fix..

It adds up quick...

Smitty

[72SB]

Originally Posted by 71meangreenc10

What Engine did you look at may I ask? The 341HP's from BP were $4569 on Summit just a minute ago. $4200 for a long block, which is still a lot of $$$$ to me.

But now you got to check the exhaust manifold fit on the aluminum heads and see if that is a cost to fix..

It adds up quick...

Smitty

I got my BPE last April and it was $3600 delivered. I do understand $ has gone up since as has availability been a problem. Just like the GM "crate" motor, they all cost more now and are hard to find

My stock exhaust manifolds did bolt on but #7 plug was right up against the manifold. I put on a set of Patriot headers

[72SB]

Originally Posted by Steeveedee

I went and did some homework. Stock starts at around 1500 stall. Looking at Summit, those converters must be lined with gold! I guess I've been out of the auto repair business too long. So, $9k for an engine, $1/2k for a converter. May as well go whole hog and put in a 4L80E and get it over with. The 400 has over 220k miles with one rebuild.

Not sure what you are clicking Steve but good engine from BPE does not cost $9k. You certainly can spend that much on high HP builds complete engines but ones can be found for considerbly less. My oil pan to head 355 was $3600 but that was a year ago so they are more now

https://blueprintengines.com/collect...mplete-engines

Hughes would be a converter to look at.
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/hup-gm20hd

[Steeveedee]

My bad. It's $10k, looking to get all the accessories on a serpentine system, and the distributor, carb and manifold installed. I could buy all the pieces separate, and pay that much and then have to put it all on. Lazy, I know.

[72SB]

Maybe their iron head truck motor. Would need to put a manifold and carb but should be able to use stock accessories and exhaust manifolds

https://blueprintengines.com/product...ads-roller-cam