What motor to start with?

[JerseyRodder]

If you were going to start from scratch with a good looking 3rd gen Fbody that has a great suspension already and a nicely built little 305, what motor would you start with. I'm not collecting change for my build but also can't afford some 10k crate motor. As a matter of fact I'm not interested in crate motors at all. I want to build mine. Small Blocks are most plentiful and have a ton of power adders. Pontiac/Olds 400s are kinda cool to sport and Big Blocks just tear it up. This car won't be a daily driver so I'm not worried about gas milage but it has to be comfortable enough to drive around on weekends and to shows and stuff. I want a good amount of HP and torque but it probably won't see the track more than a couple of times a year. I'm more into the g-machine total handleing package rather than 1/4 mile setups. That new Gale Banks twin turbo setup for the 350 would be sweet but it on top of building a solid injected 350 probably is out of my price range. I don't want to start another one of these which motor is better debates. I'm looking for opinions on this particular scenerio. Oh and how would you go about getting the core? New? buy whole crashed car? junkyard/garage motor? ebay motor? Thanks. ---Rich

[azkkn]

nothing wrong with a strong carb'd 350, and you can always inject it later. 350 has a lot going for it and there are some great parts out there.

[cbrr_mike]

mmmm....heads cam ls1 with a painless wiring harness....

would be coooool

[Injuneer]

You've got several important decisions to make....

-small block or big block
-stay with Chevy or switch to Olds or Pontiac block
-carb or fuel injection
-which "generation" engine to use

My choice would be between the Chevy SB and BB. If you want a low maintenance, high torque engine, there is no substitute for the BB. The downside is insuring your drivetrain it up to the torque levels, and the issue of extra weight on the front end if you are into corner carving.

The small block doesn't really have to stay a "small block" if you look at boring and stroking, or at the tall deck aftermarket blocks that are available. I think my choice for reasonable cost would be the 400+ ci Gen 1 SBC, with fuel injection. Adding an S/C or turbo setup is going to push you to the upper limit of your budget, assuming you are probably going to have to put a lot of extra $$$$ into the engine's bottom end, the drivetrain and the suspension to handle a high power/torque setup, no matter which route you choose.

I would also stay away from the Gen 2 (LT1) SBC, because of its inherent issues with a poor distributor and high $$$$/limited availability aftermarket parts. The Gen 3 (LS1 family) would certainly look good and provide a foundation for future upgrades.... that engine seems to have no upper limits with regard to displacement, HP or torque.

I also wouldn't rule out a crate motor, or maybe at least a short block. There is just a huge selection of reaonable cost engines sitting out there. A crate LS1 should be a very good buy.

[JerseyRodder]

Ya I'd have to say I'm leaning towards an LS1 at this point due to it's wide potential. I'm reading up on fuel injection and aftermarket computer control systems. I should have a good grasp by the time I do it. It'll be a while before I start this build. I'm still finishing "Stage One" on the car. I've almost got the body, interior and suspension just the way I want it. I'm finishing the 305 rebuild sans computer. I have a rebuilt T350 with a shift kit in now. I didn't dig much into the bottom end. I'm not really concerned if it blows eventially. I just need it to take abuse until the "Stage 2" motor/trans combo is done. I want to switch to a manual trans too. I'd like to do the 455 or 402 throwback thing but it'll probably just cost me 3 times as much. I am into the corner carver seup so the weight is a concern. I appreciate the input. I'll keep ya posted.

[cbrr_mike]

the "painless" harness i mentioned before will allow you to work with a ecu from a 98 z28 and you would be able to tune a swaped ls1 as if you were working with the 98.

btw, chekc out www.njfboa.org if you havent yet..lots of 3rd gens and a couple doin swaps right now