Guest johnny1913 Posted December 4, 2003 Share Posted December 4, 2003 I am a college student who, contrary to the stereotype, has some extra cash on hand. I am going to put a small block chevy into my 72 Datsun 240z, but don't know where to get an engine from. Only things I know I want are carburation, manual transmission (5 speeds), 300-350hp and 300-350 torque. I want to know a cheap, not too time-consuming way of getting/building/machining(j/k) the engine and transmission. I assume I can get a T-5 from a junkyard or the sorts, but don't know about the engine. BTW: I have a pretty good knowledge of cars, just a lack of experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonzer12 Posted December 4, 2003 Share Posted December 4, 2003 If you can't build it you have to buy it, the only limiting factor is dollars basically. I hold high respects for http://www.enginefactory.com, they are expensive but from my knowledge you get worry free customer service and quality, you even get a video of your engine on the dyno. You can buy a new plain 350 from GM or just ask around and find a deal through a friend. I hear to many horror stories from ebay motors unless you can see it in person to bid on one IMHO. If you are hooked into your area's car enthusiast community it won't take you long to find a suitable engine. Just make sure its what you want. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim240z Posted December 4, 2003 Share Posted December 4, 2003 can't go wrong with buying from the General himself. Check out : http://www.sdpc2000.com/ Tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest johnny1913 Posted December 4, 2003 Share Posted December 4, 2003 I don't want to pay 1500 just for a long-block. Maybe I'm cheap, but I'd be willing to build the engine. I had in mind $3000 for the swap. Is that out of the question? I think I should just find a back issure of hot rod and read one of their "junkyard jewel" write-ups. Sound like a good idea? -nate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpeedRacer Posted December 4, 2003 Share Posted December 4, 2003 I agree with Tim240Z - at Pace Performance you can get a brand new GM 350 crate motor with a factory 12,000/12 month warranty for as little as $2299.97. You can get a complete 330 HP 350 SBC (including carb and dist) for $3449.97 http://www.paceparts.com/product.asp?0=239&1=241&3=940 If it was my car I would buy the ZZ4 http://www.paceparts.com/product.asp?0=239&1=241&3=1212 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baddriver Posted December 4, 2003 Share Posted December 4, 2003 1500 is a good price for a long block, but if that's too much, you'll have to go with a used engine. A reliable chevy 350 is about the easiest part to find in a junk yard, go shopping around, find a yard that has a 350 still in the car (the engine should start and run in the car, so you can hear it) and buy the whole car as a parts car. That way, you won't have to go back and pay more when you realize you didn't get everything you need. Even better, get a car you can drive around for a few weeks first, then you can locate all the leaks and fix them when the engine is out. I've seen running cars go for $800 or less. You won't find a 350 with a five speed in anything, but you can get the 5 speed from any TPI camaro. Oh, you won't have 350 HP, more like 230 unless you do build up the engine, but for the budget you stated, a mild cam in a stock engine will geve you great performance, and once you have all the bugs worked out, you can start adding some HP. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pyro Posted December 4, 2003 Share Posted December 4, 2003 FYI, a GM T5 from a V8 car is kind of hard to find. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Z-rific Posted December 4, 2003 Share Posted December 4, 2003 Actually a running, solid Chevy 350 isn't easy to find either. What was the GM crate motor? $2000? Carb and headers and you have a 230 HP engine with warranty that you can bolt on parts to as you save up some more cash. 350 HP doesn't come cheap, unless you find one that somebody else has built and run in their car and is selling it. Even then, I would expect to pay around $1000. And it may take months to find that kind of deal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twoeightythreez Posted December 4, 2003 Share Posted December 4, 2003 HEy, I was just cruising the posts here and understand you need a small block chevy for your z. Funny you should ask! I have a 283 sbc that I'm selling. Here's the lowdown. New crank, rods, pistons, balanced and blueprinted, ported and polished stock heads, chrome oil pan, edelbrock aluminum long-snout water pump, edelbrock performer intake, edelbrock tall cast aluminum polished valve covers, roller rocker arms, carter competition series polished 750cfm carburetor, edelbrock polished cast aluminum air cleaner and element, mallory breakerless distributor, and a new harmonic balancer. In other words, all you need to get this puppy running is to get some headers, a fuel pump, an electronic brain box for the distributor, and to put it into a car! It also comes with the stock oil pan and a new oil pan gasket plus new valve cover gaskets. The motor has not been used since it's been put together. Now, to the inevitable question, WHY WOULD I WANT TO SELL IT? Ummm....I kinda wrecked the '71 240z it was going to go in, and I really couldnt' afford it anyway as I have many bills to pay off. Ok here's the part a college student might not like so much, the price. Before your jaw drops to the floor and you tell me where to go, consider the bolt-ons alone are worth more than 2K....and it's a brand-spanking new engine (Ok like new, it's a 1967 engine, but just built!) I'm asking 2,500 firm. Consider what a crate motor would cost you...shoot, you would need connections to BUILD something like this 283 for that kind of money! The engine's specs are for 350-375hp and for commensurate torque. Plus the sweet fact that this baby will turn 7,000 rpm all day long! Please give me a reply at edgarb@nimitz.navy.mil or call my cell at (619) 742-0008. If you happen to be in the SoCal area you can even come and check this beautiful beast out for yourself! Thank you, and good luck! HOpe you like this motor! Bryan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jack46 Posted December 5, 2003 Share Posted December 5, 2003 I would go with cubes. Easy to get HP with more cubes. Find a block, old style is cheaper to find and do. A 383 a crank (new) are like $250. Add TRW 2256 forged pistons, 400 rods, now get vortec heads, summit cam kit k1107 i think it is $80 (234/244 .480 .510) LT1 springs $30. You will be >325 HP and torque monster (I have 300 RWHP). I have it not costly and very nice on street and strip. It idles 650 in gear (I have a hi stall about 2800 need that trust me if auto and auto is CHEAPER--TH350) Block 400 Crank 250 Heads 400 (finished) Pistons 250 Rods 150 rebuild kit 250 intake 200 HEI 100 750 Vac 100 2100 And machining and should be a nice setup at lets say $2500 TH 350 $400 stall $300 in with all around $3200 something to consider it is possible I did it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest OneRudeTransAm Posted December 5, 2003 Share Posted December 5, 2003 I read your post & Im a mechanic by trade. The best thing Ive found is to go to a junkyard & find a good core, ie a motor that is not blown, but otherwise needing a rebuild. There should be a shop in your city that does engine supply in mass quantities. Your local TV guide is where alot of these places advertise. I can get a 350 sbc with a corvette cam here in FT Worth for less than $600 (long block) with a warranty. Thats about a 345-360hp motor. Theres no need for a 4 bolt main unless your going over 600hp, or turning the motor over 6k rpm.after all your accessories, youll have less than $1200 into it, and have a fresh rebuilt motor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest johnny1913 Posted December 5, 2003 Share Posted December 5, 2003 I love this all, thank you guys so much. Onerudetransam: I'm not sure what you mean by a shop that does engine supply in mass quantities. How would it be cheaper than say the Summit Racing Catalog? Are the parts refurbished? $1200 for 350hp seems almost too good to be true. You saying I should find one of these shops and buy everything I need for the motor from them and build the motor myself. I would love to build my own motor, but always thought it was cheaper to find someone who already built a motor and didn't want it anymore. Please elaborate. About the transmission, there is no way I am doing anything but a manual tranny. No ifs, ands or buts. twoeightythreez: You're right, $2500 does sound like a lot for a college student. Also I live in Minnesota, so shipping is at least another couple hundo. I most likely am not interested. Thanks anyways Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 250gto Posted December 6, 2003 Share Posted December 6, 2003 I am selling my 350/ 320 hp motor with 202 valves and about 8,000 miles on it. The only reason Im selling is because I am going to the next level with my car. I just bought a destroked 400 small block for $2500.00 and it is being shiped to me in 4 weeks. If you would wait I could ship it to you then. Heres the really good news, I only want $800.00 for it. Its got flat top pistons 10 to 1 compress. and an rv2 cam. She runs like a top. If you want to see a pic of the engine you can see it in my profile. It really is a great deal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest johnny1913 Posted December 7, 2003 Share Posted December 7, 2003 Where do you live 250gto? Do you by chance have all of the specs and the names of components? I am very interested. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jeff1216 Posted December 7, 2003 Share Posted December 7, 2003 You can find good deals....all you have to do is be patient I picked this up on Ebay.....This motor looks like BRAND NEW!!!!!!!! http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&category=33615&item=2446132738 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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