Im currently in the middle of redoing my girlfriends dads 79 camaroand need you opinion. The car hasnt been run since 1986 so i know the engine will need to be taking apart and redone. Would it be cheaper to rebuild it or just buy a turn-key GM replacement engine? I'm just curious and would like to hear everyones opinion. Thanks

Derek

 

Oh....
WAY THE F**K simpler and easier to just buy a crate engine. That goes for everything from assembled short blocks to complete turnkey engines.

The only reason to even build your own engine anymore is if what you want is not already being produced by someone.

 

I went the crate engine route and am very happy with it. I started yanking the old engine on friday after work, and by sunday afternoon I was driving it.

 

<--- always rebuilds.

Crate is easier. Rebuild is cheaper, and if you know what you're doing, and have the tools, you end up with a great engine you can proudly say you built yourself. I always feel a lot satisfaction whenever I fire up an engine I built.

 

I always build my own engines...
But that's cause I like Pontiac's.

 

it aint your money,I say get a Ram Jet 502 for that sucka!

 

Unless you're experienced at building motors go with the crate motor. Especialy since it aint your car.

 

Go for the crate motor, just spend accordingly to how fast ol Dad wants to go.

You can get a 290 hp / 326 tq 350 for $1700, then it just starts adding up from there, 330 hp for 2595, ZZ4 355 hp for 3995 all the way up to ZZ572 for 12K for the 620 hp version. These are all GM crate motors.

Marc

 

Depends on what you want. Just a stock rebuild? A Mr Goodwrench engine is hard to beat and has a great warranty. High performance? If you know a good engine builder who you trust, you can probably get a better engine cheaper than a GMPP crate motor, and it'll be more customized to your needs.

I don't know how GMPP builds their engines these days, but some years back when I was a Chevy parts guy we sold a LOT of LS6 and LS7 big blocks, and ZZ1 350s. When we sold a big block to a racer we ALWAYS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED he have his favorite engine shop pull it apart, balance it and check all clearances before racing it.

 

depends...are you restoring it? if so have the original motor re worked...yea its a 79. however it is knocking on 30 years old...



1971 camaro 454 tremec tko600 2.56 gears... New Mexico tag RAT 454

 

I was thinking long and hard about a crate for my 66 Vette.
A whole lot of advantages going with a GM crate motor. ONLY reason I decided against it was I finally decided to stick with a 327.