Help with crate engine choice

[LSUMurse]

I've decided I want to go with an engine upgrade. I've been looking at Jegs at their GM crate engines. My question is regarding the carburetor. They have an engine with a two barrel throttle body for $3000 and a couple other engines with regular carburetors for cheaper. I don't mind spending the little bit extra, if it's warranted.

So, I guess my question is: is the throttle body worth it?

I'll be using the truck as a daily driver and occasionally towing a small camping trailer or boat. I do plan on putting in a 700r4 tranny as well.

[Wrenchbender Ret]

If you use the throttle body you will need the computer, sensors, ign system, & harness to go with it. If you are not good on computerized engine controls you are best off using a carb. & HEI ign. I use the basic 260 HP model for about $1500. It has plenty of power.

[LSUMurse]

I plan on having a shop install it. I don't have a garage, so doing it myself is almost out of the question. I sent Jegs a question about whether or not it comes with the required electronics.

[Lees68GMC]

Yup really hard to beat Jegs or Summit.

4 bolt 350 $1500.00 Free Shipping, 3 year 100,000 mile warranty when installed in a GM vehicle.

The last LS2 crate motor I bought was $5800.00 plus shipping, plus about $2000.00 for PCM, wiring harness and pedal, accessories, Heck a water pump or alternators for those motors runs about $250.00 alone. Cooling requires cross flow radiator and electric fans.

Don't get me wrong, I love the LSX engines, but Bottom line, LSX applications in anything Spells MONEY.

[oneoff]

Running an LS with carb intake. Been extremely happy with it.

[Don Quixote]

My .02, regardless of your budget, stay away from anything Blue Print, I've seen and heard horror stories.

My recommendation is the HT383, it's a GM truck engine... made for trucks. It takes a carb and requires no computers, just a screwdriver to tune.

Stay simple.

[FLDBRED]

Originally Posted by Don Quixote

My .02, regardless of your budget, stay away from anything Blue Print, I've seen and heard horror stories.

My recommendation is the HT383, it's a GM truck engine... made for trucks. It takes a carb and requires no computers, just a screwdriver to tune.

Stay simple.

Me too...the 383HT is my dream engine. It's BRAND NEW, has the pulling power of Big Block without the weight, and is a super easy swap!

[Don Quixote]

I was going to drop one in my truck but I ended up finding a hole in the wall machine shop that built me a fantastic 358 with my old block. Otherwise I would have gone with the HT383 hands down.

[cdowns]

some GM dealers will match the price of summit and jegs it is worthwhile to at least ask your local dealer

[LSUMurse]

I don't have enough for a 383.

Let me put it this way:

What benefits does a throttle body offer over a 4 barrel carb and is it worth it? I am pretty set on one of these two crate engines at Jegs.

http://www.jegs.com/i/Chevrolet-Perf...353K1/10002/-1
350 with Edelbrock 1406 and HEI

-or-

http://www.jegs.com/i/Chevrolet-Perf...353K3/10002/-1
350 with Holley throttle body and HEI

I think the engines are exactly the same, just a difference in fuel delivery.

[LSUMurse]

Originally Posted by cdowns

some GM dealers will match the price of summit and jegs it is worthwhile to at least ask your local dealer

Not a bad idea, thanks for the heads up.

[Don Quixote]

LSUMurse, my wife is from your neck of the woods, do you offer translation services?

[LSUMurse]

I'm a struggling transplant myself. Even though I've been here almost twenty years they still hit me with things I don't understand.

[NC_John]

Originally Posted by Lees68GMC

Yup really hard to beat Jegs or Summit.

4 bolt 350 $1500.00 Free Shipping, 3 year 100,000 mile warranty when installed in a GM vehicle.

This is the one I am seriously considering to put in mine- I can't rebuild my engine for as cheap as I can buy this one. They had them on sale for $1400 shipped a little while ago.

[909]

The only real benefits of fuel injection that I ever heard was more efficient fuel consumption and air density was better managed. Everyone wants to burn less fuel but unless you're going through mountains all the time I don't see it being necessary. In my opinion I don't think either of those are worth the sacrifice in price and look.

[909]

Originally Posted by Don Quixote

My .02, regardless of your budget, stay away from anything Blue Print, I've seen and heard horror stories.

My recommendation is the HT383, it's a GM truck engine... made for trucks. It takes a carb and requires no computers, just a screwdriver to tune.

Stay simple.

Don,
I have been looking at one of Blue Prints' 383 for quite a while. What have you heard about them that I should be staying away from? I wasn't worried much because of their warranty.
Thanks

[Lattimer]

Originally Posted by 909

Don,
I have been looking at one of Blue Prints' 383 for quite a while. What have you heard about them that I should be staying away from? I wasn't worried much because of their warranty.
Thanks

If you do some internet searching you will find a lot of people with warranty claims on those engines. Seems like they had to argue a lot to get the warranty upheld.

However, after a bunch of searching and comparing, I still bought a Blueprint 355. Not quite ready to run yet, probably have it started up next weekend.

My research turned up that the Blueprint 383's seem to have issues. Most of the negativity I have seen is with those. Not sure if its just that they sell more of them, or if they aren't building the strokers correctly. Most of the negativity I found was several years old. I only found a few recent issues.

Seems that arguing and fighting are required to get Blueprint to uphold their warranty. Just like everyone else on the planet. But I have a way of making people see my side in those situations, so I'm not all that concerned.

[909]

Good to know, I'll keep that in mind. It's just that their price is hard to resist even having a block that could be machined.

Sorry to hijack the thread. Hopefully someone a little more experienced can help you out with the fuel injection.

[BrianG]

Originally Posted by LSUMurse

I don't have enough for a 383.

Let me put it this way:

What benefits does a throttle body offer over a 4 barrel carb and is it worth it? I am pretty set on one of these two crate engines at Jegs.

http://www.jegs.com/i/Chevrolet-Perf...353K1/10002/-1
350 with Edelbrock 1406 and HEI

-or-

http://www.jegs.com/i/Chevrolet-Perf...353K3/10002/-1
350 with Holley throttle body and HEI

I think the engines are exactly the same, just a difference in fuel delivery.

They also have it with a black finish instead of chrome... might last a little longer and looks really nice IMOO

http://www.jegs.com/i/Chevrolet-Perf...rentProductId=

[Z10]

I'm building a ZZ4, but changed direction and have on order a F.I.R.S.T TPI system. http://www.firstfuelinjection.com/index.html



If anyone is interested in a brand new intake, Holly carb, air cleaner, and distributor, PM me.

[bigmac73]

Originally Posted by LSUMurse

I don't have enough for a 383.

Let me put it this way:

What benefits does a throttle body offer over a 4 barrel carb and is it worth it? I am pretty set on one of these two crate engines at Jegs.

http://www.jegs.com/i/Chevrolet-Perf...353K1/10002/-1
350 with Edelbrock 1406 and HEI

-or-

http://www.jegs.com/i/Chevrolet-Perf...353K3/10002/-1
350 with Holley throttle body and HEI

I think the engines are exactly the same, just a difference in fuel delivery.

I seen Year One had a 400Hp 355 crate engine for about 3K well with in your budget, I went with a blue print instead but after many warranty issues and claims and time (which they made it right)I wished I would have went the year one engine.

[Lattimer]

Originally Posted by LSUMurse

I don't have enough for a 383.

Let me put it this way:

What benefits does a throttle body offer over a 4 barrel carb and is it worth it? I am pretty set on one of these two crate engines at Jegs.

http://www.jegs.com/i/Chevrolet-Perf...353K1/10002/-1
350 with Edelbrock 1406 and HEI

-or-

http://www.jegs.com/i/Chevrolet-Perf...353K3/10002/-1
350 with Holley throttle body and HEI

I think the engines are exactly the same, just a difference in fuel delivery.

Here's my $0.02 on the fuel injection question.

FI will give you better starting, better cold weather performance, and better fuel mileage compared to a comparable carb. That is IF the injection is set up correctly.

Couple of things to think about:

FI generally requires an electric fuel pump and may or may not need a return line to the tank. Both items are a PITA with a stock tank.

FI requires O2 sensors in the exhaust. Not big deal if you can weld and they come in the kit

FI tuning can be a real PITA. I helped a guy install a system a few years back that simply would not run right. After 2 months of screwing with it he ripped it off, put it in a box and put the carb back. No matter what he did the system ran rich all the time to the point of fouling the plugs. I forget what the brand was, but it was a POS.

[pbjsammich]

I'm running the Goodwrench cheapie and have been quite pleased with it so far. Plenty of power for cruising (which is what my truck was built for). There's a car mag that did a very detailed write-up on specific modifications and how it reacted....just use google. So you could go budget for now and mod when you get the money (my plan).

Agreed on the carb/FI debate. I'd stick to carb for simplicity and $$ savings.

[bigmac73]

Originally Posted by Lattimer

If you do some internet searching you will find a lot of people with warranty claims on those engines. Seems like they had to argue a lot to get the warranty upheld.

However, after a bunch of searching and comparing, I still bought a Blueprint 355. Not quite ready to run yet, probably have it started up next weekend.

My research turned up that the Blueprint 383's seem to have issues. Most of the negativity I have seen is with those. Not sure if its just that they sell more of them, or if they aren't building the strokers correctly. Most of the negativity I found was several years old. I only found a few recent issues.

Seems that arguing and fighting are required to get Blueprint to uphold their warranty. Just like everyone else on the planet. But I have a way of making people see my side in those situations, so I'm not all that concerned.

I hope you dont have to find out the hard way, like i did, make sure you document and keep everything and i would take pics of all new parts and install and the heat temp tabs on the heads and the block, BP loves to try to shake responsiblity and warranty claims and will try to push it back on the buyer if they can,

[Lattimer]

Originally Posted by bigmac73

I hope you dont have to find out the hard way, like i did, make sure you document and keep everything and i would take pics of all new parts and install and the heat temp tabs on the heads and the block, BP loves to try to shake responsiblity and warranty claims and will try to push it back on the buyer if they can,

I'm doing just exactly that. Hopefully I won't have any issues.