If you were going to start from scratch with a good looking 3rd gen Fbody that has a great suspension already and a nicely built little 305, what motor would you start with. I'm not collecting change for my build but also can't afford some 10k crate motor. As a matter of fact I'm not interested in crate motors at all. I want to build mine. Small blocks are most plentiful and have a ton of power adders. Pontiac/Olds 400s are kinda cool to sport and the Big Blocks just tear it up. This car won't be a daily driver so I'm not worried about gas milage but it has to be comfortable enough to drive around on weekends and to shows and stuff. I want a good amount of HP and torque but it probably won't see the track more than a couple of times a year. I'm more into the g-machine total handleing package rather than 1/4 mile setups. That new Gale Banks twin turbo setup for the 350 would be sweet but it on top of building a solid injected 350 probably is out of my price range. I don't want to start another one of these which motor is better debates. I'm looking for opinions on this particular scenerio. Oh and how would you go about getting the core? New? buy whole crashed car? junkyard/garage motor? ebay motor? Thanks. ---Rich

 

ls1 crate motor, ported heads, LS6 intake, 230ish cam

should put down 450hp at the crank no problem, be reliable and probably get 20mpg with an overdrive transmission and average gears. not to mention it will pull like a freight train all the way to 140+ so you can really have fun on long straight aways...


or go with this engine 04 LS6 engine w/ 405hp

 

I'd build a Gen1 SBC 383 with a lingenfelter/Accell super-ram DFI on it. Get a set of headers and a 3" mandrel bent catback eshaust. Pick a set of aluminum heads and have them ported. Get an aggresive cam and a double roller timing set. It'll put down 400 HP to the ground no problem N/A.

The GEN1 will bolt right up to the existing drivetrain and motor mounts. The existing accessory drive/belts/brackets will all work. The existing cooling system will work.

If you switch to a GEN3 (LS1) you will need to replace every moving part in the car, including the radiator, transmission, and all the belt driven accessories. You will also need to notch the K-member to get the LS1 to fit because of the low mounted accessories - I think it was the alternator that was the problem. I saw a write-up in HRM on it a while back.

 

yeah...the gen 1 sb is a good choice as well. but you probably wont get the reliability or driveability of the gen 3.

maybe an LS1 crate isn't the way to go...how bout a wrecked donor car? then you have all the parts pretty much ready to go.

or how bout a fully forged 305 that is in it and a ****-ton of nitrous