Thoughts on new GM Crate Motor

[BrianG]

A while back I posted a thread asking for some opinions on which way to go with my needed engine correction/upgrade. Long story short, The motor in my truck is fairly fresh. However, when the previous owner had someone rebuild it. They "in my opinion" put way too big of a cam in it. Sounds like a built Harley, but has very little idle vacuum and just really doesn't impress with power until you really start to wind it up. It is a one piece rear seal block with World Products Stock replacement heads.

I 'WAS' considering a new top end kit for it, or going with a new 383 long block.

The 383 long block that I really want is pricey at $6,000. And I have not found the right top end kit plus honestly don't want to deal with Cam break in and lifter adjusting issues.

Soooo.. Fast forward to the present.

I see that GM is going to be offering this beauty very soon.

http://www.chevrolet.com/performance...-357-base.html

I'm thinking that this might be more in line with my budget. I've seen some online pricing suggesting that this new 350 is going to be in the $3,500 range retail.

I could build something similar using my block and crank. I do have a one piece rear main seal block, so the potential is there for a Hydraulic Roller, but I do not think that they put a roller cam in there when it was rebuilt. I would prefer a roller cam due to the power curve they can produce. Adding up the components separately (vortec heads, cam, lifters, cam spider, push rods, etc.) I would probably be well over $2,000. Still quite a bit less than $3,500 but I don't really get excited about the thought of rebuilding engines these days. Call me lazy, chicken, or what ever. I honestly like the thought of simply torqueing down an intake and using my existing carb.

My truck is a short box 4x4 with five inch lift and 33's with 3.73 gears. None of that is going to change.

So, to all those with way more knowledge than I have on these sort of things. What is your opinion on this new GM crate 350? Did they use the right cam, right heads? any changes you would make?