350 crate motor

[bryce6horse]

i am wanting to replace my engine with a 350 crate turn key motor. i could use some advise on who i should purchase one from?

[77ChevySharkBite]

Best bets are probably Jegs or Summit. GM Performance sells one too, but I think Jegs or Summit are your best bet at this point.

What's wrong with your current motor if you don't mind me asking?

[bryce6horse]

its the original 350 in it that it came with from the factory with 93,310 miles on it and i believe it was only rated at 240 hp.

[77ChevySharkBite]

Well if nothing is wrong with it, my suggestion would be use that money to beef it up some I mean the money you spend buying a new one you could probably get yours to be a decent motor. That's just my .02 cent a friend always tells me don't fix something that's not broken.

[bryce6horse]

i was really hoping to find a 350 crate tbi turn key

[77ChevySharkBite]

Oh okay, if that's the case you can check Jegs or Summit and if you don't find anything there Edelbrock & Holley and I think there might be 1 other out there they make an TBI kit to convert it from carb, run you about the same as a turn key though I'm sure.

I would say check Craigslist too but sometimes they can be scams.

[bryce6horse]

its not smoking but it runs rough when i start it and until i get down the road over 30 mph then it smooths out and idles smooth. i replaced the carb. a frien of mine told me to pull the carb and look at the intake on the inside for any cracks on the wall that splits the two chambers. he said they were notorious for cracking and could cause this problem as well. not sure. replaced the cap, rotor, plugs, wires.

[bryce6horse]

i found a tbi set up and it comes with everything by msd $2700.

[77ChevySharkBite]

here's one from summit a ZZ4(Corvette) motor that's turn key.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/na...make/chevrolet

If you want EFI here's one by Edlebrock

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ed...make/chevrolet

[77ChevySharkBite]

Yeah depending on what number heads you have supposedly there's a set that's notorious for cracking.

I know I'm happy with my 350 even though it's older than me but I plan to get an MSD, Edelbrock, or Holley TBI kit one day as a future upgrade for me it's more practical than buying a new motor completely, plus it's the original motor.

[bryce6horse]

i thought about taking it and having it rebuilt and balanced that way it would be still all numbers matching truck.

[77ChevySharkBite]

Personally granted I still had my original block in mine that's what I would do fix it up make it stronger give it some good power and have it all rebuilt correctly and make it a strong runner that's reliable.

[bryce6horse]

i guess i just need to find a really good machine shop.

[77ChevySharkBite]

There's got to be one up around you, it's only another Houston, just 5 hours away

[Tx Firefighter]

A good machine shop in Fort Worth ?

Tell me if you do. I've been looking and sorely disappointed for 25 years now. Only twice in all those years have I had machine work done and not had an issue with the work in some manner.

[bryce6horse]

i use to know of one in irving years ago that rebuilt a 327 for me and never had a problem with it. the owner passed away and i havent heard of a really good one since.

[bryce6horse]

one that keeps coming up online is automotive machine and supply. showing they have been in business for 50 years and with good reviews. 212 carroll st ft worth 76107. http://www.automotivemachine.com/

[Tx Firefighter]

Oh lord no. I go way back with them. I still have their phone number memorized. They used to be the main Volkswagen machine shop around.

Last time I used them they ruined my engine case (air cooled VW) because they left a tool loose in their mill. Then when I brought them a second case to try again on, they bored the cylinder holes oversize. The manager, Steve Pool, just walked into the back, got a brand new VW engine case, sat it on the counter and told me to take it wherever I wanted. I wound up shipping it to Rimco in California and got superb work from them.

[bryce6horse]

good to know. thanks.

[Blackpony]

I would look into the Holley tbi setups if that is what you are wanting. I've had really good luck with them in the past. Also spoke with them about the new systems at sema this year. Really nice kits!! Also anyone needing some machine work down in the dfw area, I regularly use Kim Barr in garland and watts machine in Nevada, tx. I work at a performance shop in McKinney and we build a lot of engines using them to machine and we assemble to our specs in house.

[RastaRobb]

I bought a crate 350 8 years ago right from GM (had a friend working there, and saved me a few bucks). Running strong ever since. The money is a bite on the front end, but you will never regret the quality.

[solidaxel]

Have you thought about a LSX?

[gchemist]

Question to ask what is your budget??
Like power and FI just to drop in? Like 12 volts and fuel??
Look at the Ram Jet 350: http://www.summitracing.com/parts/nal-12499120

Video of one running in a k10:

Ramjet 350 Drive-away - YouTube