Need some opinions (motor & trans)

[HatGuy]

Well it’s planning time for 2006. My 72’ K5 Blazer Highlander now has 147,000
Original miles. So it’s time for some decisions. First of the year I will have $5,000 to spend and I need some input.

1 Motor. After pulling the original and seting it aside for safe keeping
should I install? These are on Summit Racing's web site at : http://www.summitracing.com/
a. GM Complete 350 cid 330 HP Crate Engine NAL-12496968 $3,495.95
b. GM 350 cid 290 HP Crate Engine NAL-12499529 $1,818.9
c. GM 350 cid 260 HP Crate Engine NAL-10067353 $1,419.95
d. Rebuild the original 350 motor . Price ?

2 Trans. After pulling the original and seting it aside for safe keeping
should I install?
a. 700R4 Level 1 Part #:L1MP700R4 $895.00 http://www.bowtieoverdrives.com/cata...m.php?ITEMID=7
b. Rebuild original Turbo 350. Price ?

Rear end is 3.73:1 but not Positrack. Thinking about 32” tires.

One other option is just keep driving it Utill something breaks then fix it.
It smokes (on cold start up), leaks every thing (a little bit). It's my daily
driver but its only 5.5 miles each way to work.
Thanks in advance

[jhow66]

Here's my .02 worth of info:
1- a-best buy for the money-good street engine (good TQ which you need if you go to bigger tires). Have ordered and installed 2 of these for friends-no problems to date.
2-350-cheaper-you will have to have special adapter to mate with your tranfer case with 700. Would take a long time to make up the differance between the cost of 700 and the extra gas mileage it might get.
(PS-this advice might not be worth 2 cents)

[HatGuy]

Thanks, jhow66
What other items did you need to buy with the 350 Delux 330hp?

[jhow66]

You should not have to buy anything as you already have a 350 in truck--just use what parts you need off it.

[cnshoot]

i would check the gm dealer in your area if you know a parts guy it helps but you will save in shipping than using a place like summit but if you want the best deal for the money use a good machine shop in the area and for the money you could build a 375-400 hp for the same money i know there are some pepole from this board in the dfw area that could lead you to a good place

[cnshoot]

also check the salvage yards for a votec 350 you will have to change some things but can be a great buy for the money

[FRENCHBLUE72]

I bought a new gm crate motor for my blazer about a year ago and have had no problems with it.. Gotta be the best thing I have done to the blazer to date...Just my 2 cents worth..

[DANL]

Hey Hat, I vote keep driving it until something breaks and then rebuild the original units.

...Dan

[Paul72]

The plan for my Blazer is to build a 383 out of the original motor, put on vortec heads, bolt on a 700R4 w/a 208 X-fer case, and new driveshafts F/R.

The 205 X-fer is stronger than the 208, but I don't plan on doing any serious wheeling with it once it's done (and I'm too cheap to buy the adapter for the 205).

5 grand will go a long way (if not all the way) to completing the project.

My .02

Paul

[HatGuy]

FRENCHBLUE72,
Which crate motor did you buy?
Will you post or email me a pic
of your Blazer so I can see the
32" tires.
Thanks