Build my new engine

[guyryan100]

About to buy a crate engine - what to look for? Will be a 350 for sure and am looking to end up with a daily-driverable truck with a little bit of get-up-and-go but not sacrificing a lot of fuel economy. Will have a 700R4 tranny. Money is definately a factor too.

--Ryan

[Longhorn Man]

depending on your definition of get up and go...the low priced 300 horse 350 is a pretty cool motor. I think that's what Huck has in his truck, and when i drove it, i was kinda surprised at the low end grunt it had. Some of that may have been the 5 speed it was mated to, but I think it was a pretty good engine for a driver.

[Stroker]

The 330 HP GM would probably work well for you. With the delux all you need is your exhaust and possibly a little work to get the linkage for cab and tranny ironed out and your set. http://www.gmpartsdepot.com/store/pr...Product_ID=963
If your budget is a little less than the 330 hp engine and you already have a conventional bolt pattern intake and carb this might be a better deal for you.
http://www.gmpartsdepot.com/store/pr...roduct_ID=1835

[guyryan100]

I ran across that same 330 HP motor and since I'm replacing a 250 I will need the intake and carb, so this is a good setup. One thing I'm not sure of is the factor that determines the fuel octane required - I noticed that as the horsepower increases there comes a point where 92 octane is required - is this based on compression ratio? Is there a rule of thumb here? I would prefer to burn the 87 octane if possible.

[chevytruckfan]

Originally Posted by guyryan100

is this based on compression ratio? Is there a rule of thumb here? I would prefer to burn the 87 octane if possible.

yes it is based on CR. The higher octane helps prevent autoignition or knocking in high compression engines. Stay under 10.5:1 CR if you want to stay on 87 octane. Any higher Compression and you will have to increase your fuel octane. As for a rule of thumb <10.5:1 87 octane, 11:1 89 octane, >12:1 92 octane.