Cascade Crew

turbo_jimi · Posted: Tue Dec 31, 2013 2:01 pm Post subject: LS Swap happening...

No, not really Laughing

But it looks like I'll actually be ordering up a new 350 crate motor from Jegs in the next couple of months. The price is right and I'll be transplanting most of my 305 parts over to it. Wish me luck!

fiveoformula · Posted: Tue Dec 31, 2013 2:57 pm Post subject:

Cool! How much are they going for from jegs? Is it a roller or a pre 86 style block?

turbo_jimi · Posted: Tue Dec 31, 2013 3:17 pm Post subject:

It's a pre-86 and the one I'm looking at cost $1506.99 with free shipping. They rate it at 260hp/350tq...doubt I'll see those numbers, but who knows. Smile

chevymad · Posted: Tue Dec 31, 2013 3:25 pm Post subject:

Have you checked with your local gm dealer? That particular motor used to be available fairly cheap brand new from GM.

turbo_jimi · Posted: Tue Dec 31, 2013 3:27 pm Post subject:

Guess it wouldn't hurt to ask. There are a couple in my area...just checked, the locals want 1800-1900 plus tax. Sad

I'll probably stick with Jegs unless something better comes along.

fiveoformula · Posted: Tue Dec 31, 2013 3:30 pm Post subject:

Yeah that will most likely be HP at the crank.. not looking to go faster than that?
Worth a call to local chevy dealer for price, the dealer I use to work for kept a motor like that in stock too.

chevymad · Posted: Tue Dec 31, 2013 3:43 pm Post subject:

It's not a bad base. 4 bolt main mexican block. But the heads are low compression 76cc and the cam is tiny.

hmmm... sounds like a blower motor LOL Too bad it has either cast or hyper pistons.

You can wake that thing up though with some heads and cam of course.

turbo_jimi · Posted: Tue Dec 31, 2013 4:34 pm Post subject:

That will be something to do down the road. Very Happy

1987_sportcoupe · Posted: Thu Jan 02, 2014 5:52 pm Post subject:

Definitely cheaper than the route I took and my motor will probably make around the same numbers for now. Good luck!

Alphius · Posted: Thu Jan 02, 2014 5:56 pm Post subject:

It would be nice to have at least a little modern tech in there and go with a roller cam block. Razz

You could probably come close in price and piece something together yourself with a roller 350 and Vortec heads that would well exceed the power output of that crate motor.

RSFreak · Posted: Thu Jan 02, 2014 6:05 pm Post subject:

Where would you go to look for a 350 roller long block?

aaron_sK · Posted: Thu Jan 02, 2014 6:32 pm Post subject:

Two brand new on CL for 1500 and 1600 respectively. One or two used ones as well.

chevymad · Posted: Thu Jan 02, 2014 6:54 pm Post subject:

GM sells a roller crate with 1 piece seal and vortecs for about $1900. But you'll still need all the conversion parts.

turbo_jimi · Posted: Thu Jan 02, 2014 8:02 pm Post subject:

I'm on an uber tight budget with limited time before the money would go for something else...probably should pay a bill off, but then I would have to spend the next 6-8 months saving up again. The crate 350 will take all of my current parts (for the most part) and make the car a little faster...current hp with the 305 (measured at dyno in 2011) was 143. If I see 200-210, I think that would be reasonable.

fiveoformula · Posted: Thu Jan 02, 2014 10:14 pm Post subject:

I did pay $50 for my rebuilder 350 its a '99 vortec block and I have an honest $1200-$1300 into it (machine work, bearings and rings, gaskets) and reused my cam that made good hp numbers in my 305. With a crate motor there's obviously that conveinence of much less labor. So if you aren't too concerned with making much more power, its a good route to go.

aaron_sK · Posted: Thu Jan 02, 2014 10:51 pm Post subject:

FWIW as the resident cheapskate junkyard builder, I will say that in James' particular case I don't think this is a terrible idea.

With no garage and a limited time frame both for labor hours and for the entire project, a crate engine that can be dropped in over the weekend is not the worst thing ever. Cool

turbo_jimi · Posted: Sun Jan 26, 2014 10:09 pm Post subject:

Well today, I bought an entire engine today...crate 350 (260hp version) with intake, old school non computer q-jet, fuel pump, alt, starter, dizzy, and v-belt set up...for $800.00. I actually got to see the motor run as the guy had it set up on a custom stand that showed, oil, temp and tach. This is basically plug and play. Smile

I won't even start swapping parts over for a while. Just want to see how it does for the time being. Very happy with this purchase.

RSFreak · Posted: Sun Jan 26, 2014 10:49 pm Post subject:

That is gonna be quite a wake up for your car! Cool

fiveoformula · Posted: Sun Jan 26, 2014 11:22 pm Post subject:

Sounds really awesome for the price! Comes with everything??

aaron_sK · Posted: Mon Jan 27, 2014 7:39 am Post subject:

You should coordinate with John so we can do your swap and his heads in the same day. Make a Crew meet out of it. Cool

Do you still need a new ram for that engine hoist?