Motor experts, can I get a few opinions on this build please.

[trevor73402]

Hey all,

I'd like to get some opinions on this motor build from you all. I am not a "pro" when it comes to stuff like this so any help or advice would be appreciated. If this is way overkill for my application please say so.

Im about to have my transmission rebuilt (700R4) on Friday. A new motor will be on the list next in line. The current TBI 350 has a deep knock in it and also has 171,000 miles on it. The vehicle in question is a 1990 K5.

Ive really wanted to do a LS swap into the K5. However I think this might be a bit above my level of ability as far as being able to do it easily. Im sure I could get it eventually and im still not ruling it out totally. Ive come across this motor for sale locally. It is complete on the stand, ready to go. Here is the run-down on the build as follows:

All Factory new/Zero miles

New 350 GM block
GM Cast Pistons, rings, balancer, and cast crank
Street & Performance Tall TPI unit
Complete Street & Performance Plug & Play Wiring Harness with factory GM ECM flashed to operate the TPI system
Edlebrock aluminum Performer Heads
Show Chrome valve covers-center bolt style
Chrome swivel water neck
K&N Filter
MSD Pro Billet Plug & Play Distributor
All GM Sensors included
Comp Cams HR 258 Roller Cam
Billet Timing set
Aluminum Timing set cover
Comp Cams Gold Series 1.5 Self Aligning Roller Rockers
Comp Cams Push Rods
ARP head bolts
ARP oil pump shaft
Eagle I beam rods
Felpro Gaskets for everything
Entire motor assembly profesionally balanced at reputable Hot Rod shop.

Ok, whats your opinions? The guy claims this set up is very driveable/Streetable with what should be excellent reliability producing somewhere around 400hp+. He is firm on the price at $4000, although I think I might work him down another couple hundred dollars.
Im seeing complete LS motors (5.3 & 6.0) with harness for around $1500-$2000 on craigslist. These typically have 50,000-100,000 miles on them. As we all know, this isnt the only cost though when doing to the LS swap. So, am I better off with a all factory new easy drop-in plug & play 350 with the TPI, or just hold out and try to do a used LS swap eventually?

This again is for a K5, that will be daily driven to and from work about 15-20 miles a day. Light off-road use on the deer lease and mountain trails. Nothing radical. It will have a 4" lift, 35" tires, 4.56 gears with 10 bolt axles.

[Moostifer]

I'd say that that is is a decent small block built for mild performance.

the 258 Comp Cam is a good streetable cam in the 1k - 5k rpm range, works good with stock converter and exhaust. will work better with headers

S&P makes very good stuff... check out their web site sometime.

performer heads are a good upgrade over stock.

i'd say a pretty good very streetable engine at a decent price. I think he's a little high on the HP. I'd say around 350-360, but should be a pretty smooth power curve with that cam and TPI setup.

what i don't get is why put in stock cast pistons? he spent a little extra on the rods, a lot on the heads and intake, why not a little more on the pistons? but that's not to say that the stock cast ones wont hold up. I just would have put in some hypo's or forged just for future performance upgrades if I wanted them.

[veinbar]

Perhaps save a bundle and go for vortec iron heads. They will flow with with the best of them, and save you money.

[Jonboy]

Just my opinion, but that isn't going to be "plug and play". You are going to have to upgrade the fuel system for starters, and probably a lot more by the time you are done. The power may be decent, but unless he has a dyno sheet, I think he is pretty overly optimistic there, too. Your money would be better spent on a GM shortblock, some SDPC Vortec heads, a mild cam, and a ECM reprogram. That will be pretty much plug and play, and a lot less headache. It won't be nearly as pretty as a TPI setup, but it will work better in a truck.

[rayfinseats]

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MLL-BP35513CTC1/

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/NAL-12499529/

Why not just buy a crate motor for that price?

[N2TRUX]

It sounds like you will be spending money on a pretty motor, and thats now what you need. For a full time DD, part time 4 wheeler you need a motor that can be hosed off easily. All those shiny parts will be very hard to maintain for your intended use.

If you have a 4k budget, I would look at the GM crate motors in that price range instead.

[Moostifer]

good call on upgrading the fuel system...

[Moostifer]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

It sounds like you will be spending money on a pretty motor, and thats now what you need. For a full time DD, part time 4 wheeler you need a motor that can be hosed off easily. All those shiny parts will be very hard to maintain for your intended use.

If you have a 4k budget, I would look at the GM crate motors in that price range instead.

some daily drivers look better than others ... but ken does have a good point. if you're not worried about keeping it clean. you can come out a lot cheaper

[motornut]

just wondering when you see this type of ad
what changed his mind
and zero miles= not running to me
why the new block and all other stuff but as mentioned keep some stuff stock
I'd worried about it actually working

[trevor73402]

Guys I appreciate all the response. This is the type of feedback I was looking for. It makes me see other views and angles.

No, I don't need a pretty engine.
I'd love to spend less (half that if possible) but still have something way better than a stock TBI 350.
Like I said, a 6.0 swap isn't totally out of the question. I've also found a brand new/complete GM crate LY 6 Gen IV 6.0 ready to go for about $4900.
I have no idea why the stock pistons other than possibly for long life/reliability reasons since those motors have been averaging 190K-215K miles in the trucks they were put in.

Again I appreciate all the feedback. I'm open to suggestions. I don't really have a "budget", but the cheaper the better. I just want the best value for the money and I want something other than just the everyday plain ole TBI 350. I'd really like to have some type of injection system rather than a carb....TBI, TPI, or Full FI.
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[harleyhouser]

hey man check out this website they make some killer motors and they are located in arlington, not far from you. they also offer a 3 year warrenty.

http://www.site.dominatorengines.com/Sales.html

[92GMCDriver]

sounds like a good motor to me, a local guy has a 2wd crew cab short bed truck that he built up a similar motor topped off with a tpi injection system and that thing goes like a bat out of hell. while i agree with n2trux about the shiny parts, neither him or i are in a position to tell you what you should do with your money so if you want it to look good then make it look good, regardless of what others say.

[88Jimmy4x4]

with the description new block, stock cast pistons/rings/crank...thats probably a standard run of the mill target master engine with some bolt ons and shiney chrome, not saying thats bad but you could probably build the same thing for the same money or less if it is...jmo

get the block cast number

[Pop's C-10]

If you do some smart shoping you could pull off a LS swap for that price & it's alot of these swaps outlined in tha LS fourm here..

[BigBlocksRule]

Stock block, crank, mediocre heads...3 grand absolute max, 2500 if you can get it.

[trevor73402]

Originally Posted by BigBlocksRule

Stock block, crank, mediocre heads...3 grand absolute max, 2500 if you can get it.

Do you realize that the Street & Performance TPI system is over $3000 by itself?? And it's new/unused. This motor may not be the right one for me, but it's certainly not a bad value. You damn sure couldnt duplicate it for the price he's offered it at.
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[88Jimmy4x4]

Originally Posted by trevor73402

Do you realize that the Street & Performance TPI system is over $3000 by itself?? And it's new/unused. This motor may not be the right one for me, but it's certainly not a bad value. You damn sure couldnt duplicate it for the price he's offered it at.
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damn I didnt know it was that expensive....that is a good deal then...go for it

[sumran]

Many good components on the list. The price seems very fair for that motor if it is assembled properly and is what it has been promised. I would want more information about the pistons and would want to know what the compression ratio will be once the motor is finished. The answers should be quick and definitive. If they are not, you are talking with the wrong person. Talk with some of the people that have his engines installed and find out if they are happy.

There are cheaper ways to get the result and lots of ways to get more horses if you are willing to spend money. Doing it yourself can save money and is gratifying, but you need to be willing and able to do the work.

Roller cam is nice and the products in the build are from reputable manufacturers. There are a lot of ways to build a small block and there is no perfect beast.

Some of the money is for style rather than function. If you like it and it is in your budget, that is all that matters.

By the way, I am an interested observer, not a motor expert.