Picking a new engine

[nj85z28]

Im pretty sure my TPI engine is toast in my SS Monte Carlo, so i've been thinking and looking alot at different engines. What do you guys think?

[Stroked355Z28]

Im pretty sure my TPI engine is toast in my SS Monte Carlo, so i've been thinking and looking alot at different engines. What do you guys think?

Switch over to carbureator and get a 350, bore it .30 over to a 355, or bore it and stroke it to a 383, those are always nice bad a** motors. -Jeff.

[NJ Torque]

For cheapness... ZZ4 ramjet...

My options, LSX motor.

[SteveR]

For cheapness... ZZ4 ramjet....

That motor looks pretty good and a good price too.


What's the budget? What will you use it for? What kind of power do you want to make?

[nj85z28]

That motor looks pretty good and a good price too.


What's the budget? What will you use it for? What kind of power do you want to make?

im looking for something no more than around 5k...its basically just for driving, not really racing, but id like it around 300hp. the plan for the car has always pretty much been the same- something i can drive to work when i feel like or cruise around in.

[LTb1ow]

Bolt on LT1 !

[SteveR]

Then the Ram Jet is perfect.

http://www.jegs.com/p/GM+Performance/749882/10002/-1

[LTb1ow]

Is that a Gen 1 block with an EFI system?

[nj85z28]

Then the Ram Jet is perfect.

http://www.jegs.com/p/GM+Performance/749882/10002/-1

that does look very good. does anyone know if i can use my TPI serpentine setup on that? i have it brand new in the box

[WildBillyT]

I will go against the grain and say no to the RamJet motor. I have heard that they are not very 'upgradeable' and you may want that ability in the future.

I said LT1 since they are cheap and pretty reliable these days. Plus you may not have to get too much trans work done if your trans is already in good shape.

[LTb1ow]

LT1 + heads/cam = 400 ish hp.

[nj85z28]

I will go against the grain and say no to the RamJet motor. I have heard that they are not very 'upgradeable' and you may want that ability in the future.

I said LT1 since they are cheap and pretty reliable these days. Plus you may not have to get too much trans work done if your trans is already in good shape.


funny you say that i just got a brand new trans a few months ago. the only downside to the LT1 is that it would be used obviously, but another nice choice

[SteveR]

I will go against the grain and say no to the RamJet motor. I have heard that they are not very 'upgradeable' and you may want that ability in the future.

I said LT1 since they are cheap and pretty reliable these days. Plus you may not have to get too much trans work done if your trans is already in good shape.

It should be upgradeable. It's a Gen I block with Vortec heads, so cam, heads, etc. should be doable, and you should be able to tune it with the included ECU. I haven't heard either way, but it seems like you should be able to.

[GP99GT]

i say heads cam 355 LT1

or a neon motor

[WildBillyT]

It should be upgradeable. It's a Gen I block with Vortec heads, so cam, heads, etc. should be doable, and you should be able to tune it with the included ECU. I haven't heard either way, but it seems like you should be able to.

The ECU and tuning are the points of contention from what I hear.

Now I've never done it, and I've never owned one, so take it for what it's worth.

[LTb1ow]

So you have a around 5k to throw around? Are you doing the engine building your self? You could do an Eagle 383 rotating assembly, with a set of nice heads/cam for prob around there.

[SteveR]

I personally don't like the LT-1. After years of always having something go wrong with mine, I'll never get one again. It seemed like a concept that GM put out and fixed several issues over time.

[LTb1ow]

Well then do a single plain and run a real dizzy. You can still do EFI that way too.

[SteveR]

The ECU and tuning are the points of contention from what I hear.

Now I've never done it, and I've never owned one, so take it for what it's worth.

If he has an EFI setup in his car already, I wonder if he could just use that?

[nj85z28]

So you have a around 5k to throw around? Are you doing the engine building your self? You could do an Eagle 383 rotating assembly, with a set of nice heads/cam for prob around there.

lol. i wouldnt say to "throw around", but thats the most i would like to spend. as far as building, i would like to think i could do it, but in reality i probably couldnt. but i can do pretty much any electrical work on someones house or shop that wants to barter ;)

[LTb1ow]

Well you can pick up a non forged built shortblock for around 3 k, and get the stock heads ported for around 1.5 k.

[GP99GT]

how about a freshened up TPI 355 with a centrifugal blower?

[LTb1ow]

Or a 4V modular ?

[WildBillyT]

Well then do a single plain and run a real dizzy. You can still do EFI that way too.

Single plane? Probably not a great idea for a mild-er street small block.

[LTb1ow]

Ok well then get the stock intake converted to run a real cap and rotor.

[SteveR]

Throw an Isuzu 4 cyl diesel in it :lol:

[cdacda13]

LS1:
300 HP stock
Good enough gas mileage so you won't fear taking it out for a nice, long drive
Great drive-ability, even with high HP numbers.
Cheap enough.

Then throw a turbo on there. ;)

[WildBillyT]

LS1:
300 HP stock
Good enough gas mileage so you won't fear taking it out for a nice, long drive
Great drive-ability, even with high HP numbers.
Cheap enough.

Then throw a turbo on there. ;)

Con:

You have to make modifications to your trans to run one.

[LTb1ow]

And its not an LT1. Major con.

[Tru2Chevy]

I voted for another TPI engine. TPI is great for a street motor, lots of low-end torque...and it's already in your car. Get a mild 355 longblock to shove under your current intake, and enjoy the car. I'm sure that Josh down at JS Performance could put something together for you for well under your budget.

- Justin

[V]

i'll sell u a 96 Impala SS LT1 engine.. 6,609 original miles. Custom stand alone harness ready to go. $2,000

[nj85z28]

I voted for another TPI engine. TPI is great for a street motor, lots of low-end torque...and it's already in your car. Get a mild 355 longblock to shove under your current intake, and enjoy the car. I'm sure that Josh down at JS Performance could put something together for you for well under your budget.

- Justin

i have been in contact with josh, just having issues getting the car there for him to diagnose.

smokingss i will keep that in mind

[ins0mnia24]

LS 364/440 Carbureted

[sweetbmxrider]

lsx

[jims69camaro]

i think you should go big block. even at modest compression ratios, big blocks have kansas-flat torque curves that last until red-line. they've become much more inexpensive to build, and there are many in the junkyards. do the numbers and you'll see for the same amount invested you'll be ahead of the small block boys by a mile.

[BlackBADaSS02]

LS1:
300 HP stock
Good enough gas mileage so you won't fear taking it out for a nice, long drive
Great drive-ability, even with high HP numbers.
Cheap enough.

Then throw a turbo on there. ;)

LS for the reasons stated
+ No Opti.

I picked up a complete LS1 to swap in my 94 for $1500.

[Stroked355Z28]

I agree with Jim, how nice would it be to have a carbureated 396 or 427 under the hood of that baby. -Jeff.

[91chevywt]

I'd suggest staying small block, and probably staying TPI for affordability sake. Since all the hard work is done, dropping in a long block, or fixing your existing motor may be the best way to go. TPI is a great system for its day, especially with its low end torque it's a great street motor.

If you were looking for horsepower per dollar I'd bet an LT1 would be the best way to go, since you could use your existing trans and not worry about that space issue associated with the LS1.

Big blocks are great for street power, but gas mileage would be out the window, and I'd imagine it would make things pretty cramped under the hood.

LS1s are pretty popular right now, and the truck motors are kindof affordable, but there are quite a few obstacles in the way of this swap. I've looked into everything myself, but I feel like for my situation the LT1 met what I was looking for the closest. It'll come down to what you can live with, and what you are looking for.

[Tru2Chevy]

i think you should go big block. even at modest compression ratios, big blocks have kansas-flat torque curves that last until red-line. they've become much more inexpensive to build, and there are many in the junkyards. do the numbers and you'll see for the same amount invested you'll be ahead of the small block boys by a mile.

While I agree with your reasoning Jim, he's looking for a 300ish hp street cruiser on a budget. He already has a TPI motor in the car, so all the wiring, mounts, etc are ready to go. Having a mild 355 long block built will satisfy all of his needs/wants well within his budget, and get better mileage than the big block as a plus.

- Justin

[Teds89IROC]

As matt said before, a fresh TPI motor with a procharger setup would be nice.

[Tru2Chevy]

As matt said before, a fresh TPI motor with a procharger setup would be nice.

Certainly would, but why bother with a power adder when he's only looking for 300 horsepower?

- Justin

[Teds89IROC]

Certainly would, but why bother with a power adder when he's only looking for 300 horsepower?

- Justin

why not!?

:lol: I forgot he was only looking for 300hp

[NJSPEEDER]

With the way that prices of LS1/2 take outs have been dropping, the power levels they make even with all the emissions stuff hooked up, and the gas mileage they deliver, an LS motor really is a logical choice.

[12secondv6]

Engine from a dodge neon!

[NJSPEEDER]

The goal is 300hp, not to find a $300 engine

[NJSPEEDER]

Con:

You have to make modifications to your trans to run one.

Not really, most of the time the engine take outs come with the trans. Just look up seller "fparts" on ebay. It is the guys from Contemporary Corvette in Bristol, they have competitive prices, a warranty, and they always include all of the electronics and such.

-Tim

[BonzoHansen]

im looking for something no more than around 5k...its basically just for driving, not really racing, but id like it around 300hp. the plan for the car has always pretty much been the same- something I can drive to work when I feel like or cruise around in.

Given the $5k limit, you should just have the long block rebuilt. You can get better heads & a nice cam for well under 5. Then you don’t have to replace a bunch of related stuff, like harnesses, ecms, mounts, headers, hoses, fuel system, cooling system, etc. And your serp setup will bolt right on. KISS principal. Then take the $1k+ you save and buy something else. Or just save it.

If I were you I’d call Josh, he’s good with those setups.


You doing this yourself or paying to have it done? If you have to pay labor, staying SBC is even cheaper for you....

[WildBillyT]

Not really, most of the time the engine take outs come with the trans. Just look up seller "fparts" on ebay. It is the guys from Contemporary Corvette in Bristol, they have competitive prices, a warranty, and they always include all of the electronics and such.

-Tim

Yeah, but if his existing trans is pretty fresh then paying for another one is a waste.

[nj85z28]

Given the $5k limit, you should just have the long block rebuilt. You can get better heads & a nice cam for well under 5. Then you don’t have to replace a bunch of related stuff, like harnesses, ecms, mounts, headers, hoses, fuel system, cooling system, etc. And your serp setup will bolt right on. KISS principal. Then take the $1k+ you save and buy something else. Or just save it.

If I were you I’d call Josh, he’s good with those setups.


You doing this yourself or paying to have it done? If you have to pay labor, staying SBC is even cheaper for you....

im taking the car to JS hopefully by the end of next week, and im gonna go from there. if josh thinks i need a new engine, im pretty convinced to go with a new longblock and keep the TPI setup since all the hard parts are done. an LSx would be nice, but i think it may be out of my range for what im looking for. thanks everyone for your input

[BonzoHansen]

Good call.

The nickle & dime (& $100 bill) parts for an LS swap would waste your budget.

[rscamaro73]

I got your engine here, but you need to HURRY !!!!

It was posted up on nastyZ28 a couple days ago.

HERE (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=110299124310&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT)

My PERSONAL preference is a BBC.....but I have a nice, used 350 you can get that's good for a driver while you look for a 'real' engine.....

[jims69camaro]

then again, i am sure you could find something here (http://www.dallasexportsales.com/RA406.htm).