1983 chevy is it better to overhall or new engine!

[chevymadness]

ok on my 1983 chevy im trying to figure out is it better to overhall the engine wich my familyis pushing for for 1,000 plus labor wich is like 1,000! i know stupid right or just get a new motor crate for the same price? or maybe get a
327 ci V8 engine in it or idk what to do what shall i do ??? please any help

SORRY ITS A 1982

Oh and check in my profile ill have the truck all ready to go and nice in about a week

[old Rusty C10]

well IMHO it all depends on the truck.. is your truck a show piece that is either being fully restored and is a special model? Basically what im saying is if you have a truck that is like an Indy Truck or a rare special edition in which it is worth more to have matching numbers then id rebuild it and do it right with quality parts. If its just a run of the mill truck being restored and i was planning on keeping it id get a crate motor...If its just a run of the mill truck im tinkering with to drive for now until HS is over and all id prolly just do a quick overhaul and call it good

[cableguy0]

If you dont have the space tools or experience to deal with rebuilding an engine its probably better to just go with a crate engine that has a warranty. I would be leary of a rebuild that is only a grand. A crank kit is 200 bucks alone. Machine work will be about 3-400 bucks for a clean,bore and hone etc etc. Then theres still the actual rebuild kit and cost to assemble the engine. If you have a 350 now theres no good reason to give up 23 cubic inches. Its not smart. Why not get a crate engine and install it yourself. These trucks are pretty simple and 1000 bucks for an install is a little high.

[gchemist]

If it's an 83, you probably have a 305. Buy a crate 350. More power and same or better gas milage.

[chevymadness]

Originally Posted by cableguy0

If you dont have the space tools or experience to deal with rebuilding an engine its probably better to just go with a crate engine that has a warranty. I would be leary of a rebuild that is only a grand. A crank kit is 200 bucks alone. Machine work will be about 3-400 bucks for a clean,bore and hone etc etc. Then theres still the actual rebuild kit and cost to assemble the engine. If you have a 350 now theres no good reason to give up 23 cubic inches. Its not smart. Why not get a crate engine and install it yourself. These trucks are pretty simple and 1000 bucks for an install is a little high.

yea well first things first this engine has about 100,000 miles i just baught it or buying it tommarow now i have a grand or two to make a nice engine.Im fine with it being overhalled or whatever my family wants to do that but what bothers me is why pay 1 thousand on a overhalled engine when you can get a new crate one for a thousand i think (i havn't priced) wouldnt it be nicer? and also probably more simpler along with adding value to the truck? as its nice and new.Im not a fan of crate engins for these trucks cause i read somewhere a rebuild motor is better then a crate wich i agree with.Also im getting hooked up on i want a fast chevy to have some balls maybe a corvette engine in it but i doubt there cheap so forget that like the one i said. I do casual offroading but its mostly for looks but i guess a 350 is enough for fun and casual games idk how much hs power or torque or what i have to do to make this truck worth the money and make it performance for a piece of mind for me i guess ill take a overhall so what shall i put on it to make it have some good torque im putting a 400 transmission in it in a few days.

[gchemist]

http://sdparts.com/catalog/crate-engines

Check for a 96 or later low milage Vortec. You can remove all the FI and install a carb.

[chevymadness]

Originally Posted by old Rusty C10

well IMHO it all depends on the truck.. is your truck a show piece that is either being fully restored and is a special model? Basically what im saying is if you have a truck that is like an Indy Truck or a rare special edition in which it is worth more to have matching numbers then id rebuild it and do it right with quality parts. If its just a run of the mill truck being restored and i was planning on keeping it id get a crate motor...If its just a run of the mill truck im tinkering with to drive for now until HS is over and all id prolly just do a quick overhaul and call it good

yea i guess ill overhall it and put some mods or something screw the crate motors and if i have money i guess its best to get a bigger or better corvette motor another time this truck not a drag truck or anything like that i just want to lift it and offroad with it just like any hs kid would or young kid but i want performance thanks for the advice

[tucsonjwt]

I have had both rebuilt and crate motors. I would never go with a rebuild again. I know you want mega horses and fire breathing monster truck, but if you want a reliable driver stay away from a rebuild. High performance and reliable are two terms that usually don't go together in these old trucks (I now await flames from performance rebuilders.)
Some guys are lucky with their old trucks and don't need any repairs, but my guess is you will need some other repairs on your truck. Blow all of your $$ on a HP motor and you might spend your time polishing it in your driveway rather than driving it. I'm just sayin.....
Yeah, I know, I was young once too - but then we were all driving Model Ts, except for those lucky enough to have a team of horses.

[PRattenbury]

What's wrong with the engine that's in it? If it's running and there's nothing horrible wrong with it, keep your pennies in your piggy bank and enjoy the truck the way it is.

[cableguy0]

The biggest thing with buying a crate engine is that you get a warranty. Most machine shops wont give a 3 year warranty on the engine. Most reputable places will back up there work but theres nothing like a no questions asked warranty that stands anywhere in the country. Get a crate motor throw an edelbrock intake,decent carb headers and dual exhaust on it and let it be. A fresh 350 with the normal bolt ons will feel like a fire breathing monster compared to a worn out 305 or 350 totally stock.

[3r!c84]

Go big or go home get a 502 crate motor and be done with it....

[engineco713]

Originally Posted by 3r!c84

Go big or go home get a 502 crate motor and be done with it....

I like the 502 idea.....but I'm pretty sure if I dropped that in my truck I would lose some parts the 1st time I took off from a red light.....lol.

[clinebarger]

I bought a 96-up Vortec crate engine from Bankston Chevrolet in Hurst Texas last week for $1300 + $100 core, They had a special going, maybe they still do?

[irishman999]

You cant always depend on an engine just because its a crate motor. About 5 years ago i helped my dad R&R a 454 crate motor with low miles that completely grenaded. The guy was paying out of pocket for everything, for some reason there was no warranty.

[chevymadness]

Originally Posted by clinebarger

I bought a 96-up Vortec crate engine from Bankston Chevrolet in Hurst Texas last week for $1300 + $100 core, They had a special going, maybe they still do?

and how much did that truck put out with taht engine hp torque etc.?

[chevymadness]

Originally Posted by cableguy0

The biggest thing with buying a crate engine is that you get a warranty. Most machine shops wont give a 3 year warranty on the engine. Most reputable places will back up there work but theres nothing like a no questions asked warranty that stands anywhere in the country. Get a crate motor throw an edelbrock intake,decent carb headers and dual exhaust on it and let it be. A fresh 350 with the normal bolt ons will feel like a fire breathing monster compared to a worn out 305 or 350 totally stock.

ok wait a minute can i use my rebuild engine and some carb headers and edel brock intake,and magnaflow dual exhaust ? and will this make it 350 please answer back thanks im thinking about putting some things like that anyway seems to make a difference

[chevymadness]

Originally Posted by PRattenbury

What's wrong with the engine that's in it? If it's running and there's nothing horrible wrong with it, keep your pennies in your piggy bank and enjoy the truck the way it is.

i am just some modifications thats all

[BigBlocksRule]

Originally Posted by PRattenbury

What's wrong with the engine that's in it? If it's running and there's nothing horrible wrong with it, keep your pennies in your piggy bank and enjoy the truck the way it is.

You betcha - this is the way I'd go.

And start looking for a rebuildable 400. Stock crank is fine, find some rebuildable 5.7" rods (resize and new bolts) and a pair of used Vortec heads and an ebay intake. You'll have a lot less in it than a crate engine and you'll make a LOT more power.
One other option is to find a rebuildable 4-bolt main block out of a '96 up truck. You'll get to use the vortec heads and rods, new OEM hydraulic roller lifters are about $100 and you can score a stroker crank (SCAT!!!) on ebay for $250 or less shipped.
The flat tappet 400 should make about the same as the hydraulic roller 383, you just need to decide whether you want a roller or flat tappet engine. Of course, if you can find the money for a set of roller lifters and a roller cam for the 400, you'll kill both birds with one stone.
If you know anybody in Lubbock, have 'em ping me, I have a set of used headers in decent shape I'd let go of for a song and a dance, they'll wake up what you have in it until you get around to an engine swap

[355bullet]

www.sdparts.com...has killer deals

[motornut]

make sure what you got before you order it,or the cost will go up to cover the core charge.Buying an engine up here the core must match the block......350 for 350....305 for 305............(my 2cents 350 crate = reliable)