Crate Motor Update

[woodyjim]

Hi Guys!
I'm still up to my eyeballs in painting, putting together baby furniture and the like. Now I've got to worry about getting a motor in my truck before the October Bow season starts! Problems, problems... I just wanted to say thanks to everyone for the feedback. Sorry I've been so long getting back. I placed the order for my engine this morning! On the advice of the guy at the local tech school, I went through one of the local dealerships and it was a sweet deal. I got the HO 290 hp long block for 1800.00, no core charge and it'll be here in 2 days with no shipping! Cool! Due to the time constraints I'm under, I think I'm gonna le the guys at the Tech School put it in for me (free, of course). I was wondering though if anyone had any opinions about upgrading my intake and carb while I'm at it. This truck is my daily driver and I would like to maintain decent mileage. Thanks again!

[84slopwaggin]

Weiand Action Plus Intake Manifold(Idle-6000rpm)
Edelbrock Performer/Performer EPS Intake(Idle-5500rpm)
Edelbrock Performer RPM(1500-6500rpm)
Holley Street Dominator Intake Manifold(1500-7200rpm),(Idle-5500rpm),(1500-6500rpm),(Idle-6000rpm)
Any 600cfm vacuum secondary carb(Edelbrock600-650cfm, holley600-670cfm, B.G.Road Demon 625cfm)

My 2cents the 290hp version that you choose might see a better torque curve using the intakes that start at idle instead of those starting at 1500rpm. I'd like to hear what others think of this opinion, as well. It all depends on what you are going to use the truck for mainly. The 290hp version seems to be a better option for a lighter vehicle. The reason I chose the base model G.M. Performance Crate Engine for the higher torque rating. At the time I purchased my package I would have chosen the 330hp version if I had the extra doe. ENUFF RUMBLING FROM ME

[woodyjim]

Thanks for the post. I looked at the 330hp too, but after doing a little checking decided it might be a bit more "gas hoggish" than I want for a DD. What intakes fall into the category you mentioned? Thanks again!

[84slopwaggin]

First off do you have smog test in your state? That way you will know if you need the provision for the EGR valve. I'd think the Weiand Action Plus Intake(Idle-6000rpm) would be a good match.

[woodyjim]

Obviously I'm not on this thing every day although I'd like to be. Thanks for the post, we do not have smog requirements here. In fact, all my smog stuff is already gone. I picked up my motor yesterday and when I dropped it off at the tech school I talked with my buddy about the intake and carb. He said he could rebuild my Q-jet to performance specs and unless I just wanted to spend money my stock intake should give me what I'm looking for in a DD. I really trust his judgement and will probably go with that for now. He said that if I wanted to go a little more high performance later that this motor is a great platform. Thanks again for the post.

[84 400]

great man! post up some pics when you get a chance

[piecesparts]

The discussion on the intake manifold is up to the owner, after running a Performer intake for acouple years, I chose the Edelbrock Performer RPM intakes for my truck and my Son's truck, since there is very little use of a motor below the RPM band of 1000 to 1500. The trucks are driven on highways for the majority of the time and the small amount of street driving is miniscual and insignificant. The RPM manifold gives me a higher end to the RPM band and it works quite well for us. I run a 383 stroker motor with an Edelbrock AVS Thunder carb (650 CFM) and m y son's truck is a 350 crate motor (290 HP) upgraded with a Crane Cam to get the HP above the 330 range. Both are feeding 700 R4 trannies and 3.73 posi rear end gears. The trucks have true dual exhausts with headers and 2 1/2" pipes and Flowmaster mufflers.

If you drive in the city, you might like the Performer intake and keep the lower RPM range 0 to 5500, but that is up to you.

[84slopwaggin]

If he's gonna rebuild your carb to performance specs then you might as well upgrade the intake to take advantage of the carb upgrade. The Edelbrock Performer RPM intake will perform better and look better under the hood.

[woodyjim]

Thanks for all the suggestons guys! I think I'm going to try the simple (cheap?) route first and go with some upgrades later. I will try to get some pics though. You'll die just to see the shop this guy is forced to work in. Five bays with a floor you could eat off of and four of them have drive-on lifts! Man, what some people have to put up with! Oh well, thanks again for all the tips. Keep 'em comin'!

[woodyjim]

Does the Edelbrock Performer RPM have all the mounting points I need for cruise and whatnot? I really haven't looked real close at mine so I'm ignert. Sounds like a good plan though. I may consider doing that while she's tore down. Any tips on the best source?

[84 400]

i would try summit or local speed shops you never know....... I am guessing you want it to be a good price though? I would look on Ebay and your local cregis list. chance are you can find a new one or a used one for good money. Autozone also sells them but it is autozone....

[84slopwaggin]

THIS JUST IN

I was watching Horsepower T.V. today and they were dynoing the exact engine you are about to install. It has a intake/carb upgrade that looks, to me, to be worth the extra doe. You can match a Holley 600cfm vac. secondary electric choke carb($257.00) with a Edelbrock Performer RPM intake($132.00). If your mechanic is going to rebuild your old carb to performance spec. it too should deliver good results matched with the Performer RPM intake. You gotta few decisions, but at least you got a dyno result to help you decide. If you buy the carb/intake separately it's cheaper than the package they put together at Summit . Here is the link to the dyno results.

http://www.powerblocktv.com/bangforbuck.html

[woodyjim]

Hey, I caught that too! I checked yesterday with what passes for the local speed shop in this town and he said if I call him Monday morning I can have an intake by 4:00 that afternoon for $120.00. That don't sound too bad too me. If I do that though, I'm gonna have to add valve covers and a breather set up. Can't have a brand new intake sittin' on top of a brand new engine between two ugly black valve covers and all covered up with a stock snorkel!

[84slopwaggin]

There you go. Your on your way .

[piecesparts]

Once you get hooked on the "clean it up" kick, you end up with stuff like this. Be careful! This is my 383 stroker motor, that I buiilt for my 84.

[84slopwaggin]

Ha Ha....YOU ONLY LIVE ONCE, SO BLING IT UP BUDDY.

[woodyjim]

Well, the baby is due any day now so I'm more than a little stressed out. But work on the '84 moves forward thanks to a good friend and some pretty sharp students! Just to update, I dropped the truck off at the school garage last Monday. The old engine is out and the new one 90% ready to drop in. I went ahead and put an Edlebrock Performer on and dressed it up a little with some Elite Series valve covers and a breather to match (both with logo). Randall is going to rebuild the Q-jet this weekend and the motor is slated for install on Monday. I'll hopefully have some pics soon. My digital is busted so I'm having a friend get some for me. Sorry to be so long between posts but I got alot going on. (cry me a river right?) More later!

[N2TRUX]

Sounds like things are coming together. Keep us posted and get some pics...

[72C203503ONTHETREE]

Hey Im over in Grant, not too far from you. I just got a 73 that I am in the process of hopping up. Mines got the stock 350 and am buying parts off of E bay for. All ready got the knock off brand Air Gap intake, hi po balancer, and used Edelbrock 1407 750 cfm carb. I plan on getting the performance HEI (still have the stock points system on now), cam, and maybe heads when money allows. Once I get everything bought I will do everything at once. Which engine did you get at the dealer? I thought the base 350 long block was around $1,300? I know Scoggin Dickey sold them for around $1,100 but then youd have to pay shipping from Texas.

[woodyjim]

Hey! Nice to know there are some local guys on this board! The motor I chose is the HO 290 hp long block. The price, tax and all, was around $1900.00 with no core and no shipping charges. I got it in 2 days and they set it right in my truck bed. I don't mind paying a little more if it eliminates some hassle. Sounds like you're well on your way to a nice ride. There are lots more things I want to do but I am flat out of money! Hope to have some pics soon!

[72C203503ONTHETREE]

Guess I havent checked into the crate motors enough lately. I have a rebuilt shortblock from a junkyard with a Vortec tope end in my 83 El Camino and it does very well. My 73 is not thast great yet, needs a lot of body work but the interior is nice, just needs carpet and a dash pad. It will be a long time before its finished, doing the mechanical stuff first. Plans are to hop up the engine, make sure the trans will hold up, and maybe swap in a 14 bolt 10.5 full floater rear.

Heres some pictures of it.

Click on them for the bigger pictures.






Looks better in pictures, look close at the body in person and it waves at you, lol. Bed is in near perfect shape though.

[woodyjim]

That’s a nice looking truck though, you’ll get it smoothed out! I love that body style too, I spent many a happy day riding the fields with my uncle in a truck similar to yours.
I bought my motor at Bill Heard in Huntsville. They beat my local dealership by about $300.00. Look at crateenginedepot.com to see all the different config’s you can get. These are new engines not reman’s so the part #’s are the same. A dealership will save you $ in shipping and core charges and usually 1-4 days is all you have to wait. My truck is a daily driver so the torque/HP range on this motor is perfect for me but you can get pretty wild if you have the $!! Good luck with your project! Let me know how it turns out. Jim

[72C203503ONTHETREE]

Make sure you hide your engine, Bill Heard may come by and take the engine back without you knowing, lol.