Engine choices

[chaingun427]

My vortec is starting to show her age at 210k. I was hoping to get your opinions on cost vs return on investment for a few motor choices. My ultimate goal with this truck is roughly 350 to the ground, and im wondering if the best way to do that would be a crate long block, a custom rebuild at a local shop, or swapping motors to an entirely different model (6.0 etc) lmk what you think, I know im going to replace the transmission with a 4x4 4l80e if that helps.

 

[ezdaar]

Budget?

 

[chaingun427]

3 to 6k, going to be a longer term project after the body is in order

 

[livingez_123]

408 crate motor

 

[ezdaar]

Stock 5.3 (ARP head and rod studs) with On3 Turbo kit. instant 500+ Hp/Tq @ 10psi. Well under your budget for other goodies (4L80) and cheap as hell to replace engine when it blows if it ever does.

4.8 pullout, 250$, easy to find, 15hp less than 5.3.
5.3 pullout 450$ even simpler to find, 25hp less than 6.0
6.0 pullout 600-1k$, hard to find.

On3 kit, complete with FP, injectors, boost controller and boost guage, 2500$ (on the high side $) Base kit is 1900$.

Well with in budget.

 

[chaingun427]

Don't need 500+ that's what the camaro is for lol. I need reliable with towing power

 

[ezdaar]

ok, Pullout 5.3 and used TVS 1900.
Still with in budget.
Didnt say you wanted grunt and you have a camero... Just said Gimme more powaa! Heres my budget... In arnold voice.

 

[ccapehartusarmyINF.(ret)]

dude put a diesel in that bad boy
like a 5.9 cummins or whatever fits

 

[livingez_123]

dude put a diesel in that bad boy
like a 5.9 cummins or whatever fits

Cummins or nothing.

 

[SRTH8R]

Gm has a ht383e crate engine. Direct replacment for 96-99 vortec 350. 340 hp and 435 ft lbs. Would be a nice little boost over the 255 hp it came with. It also falls in your budget. Easy day swap in the driveway.