Looking to take out the engine myself...........once out........would it be more cost effective to purchase a short block and have the top of the engine re-built..using what i can...OR just go out and buy an entire crate engine and drop it in......mind you this decision comes only because crate engines in my budget range are only stock numbers with stock performance....I want to go faster than stock......don't want to spend a lot of money and still go the same times......I would like to be low 12's and high 11's if possible when job is done.....

NEED suggestions on the best way to get there.......I'm guessing about $5,000 for job complete....including transmission re-build....got quote of $1,300.

Thanks in advance everyone

 

If you are on tight budget buy a stroker kit 383/396 take your block to best machine shop in town so they can prepare it for bigger stroke and bore cylinders.
Another option is rebuild engine using stock parts, and invest in some good heads (Afr) and cam (c306).
Results should be similar (around 380RWHP), and with this setup and good tires you will be able to get in to 11's.

What I would go is build stroker (you can buy a basic forged kit for about $1800), put mid cam and ported heads (Lloyd Eliot does great work for cheap). Do search on strokers so you will know all things that you need.
Sebastian

 

....remember that for every 100 pounds you remove from your car its equivilent to adding 10 Horse Power....

 

It seems as though crate motor is out........now.......i was thinking of a short block re-build with Comp Cam 305 or 306 or what ever suites me best.....and top of with AFR heads and compatible intake......question would be....can i use all other stock parts along with that.....what else am i leaving out that i would need to replace........

On a side note......if the short block was stroked out to a 383....what would have to change on the rest of the motor as well as the rest of the cars systems.......computer, injection, exhaust, fuel.........thinking that would be4 out of my league right now........$$$$

I'm in the planning stages so all your info is very helpful.........

 

Looking at $$$ for AFR's.....seem on the high side...but i guess money buys you more horse power.....any other reputable heads out there on the market......and what cam to match.......thanks......

 

a call to combonation motorsports cant be a bad idea. Prices are very close to on par with their service.

 

I would check with Lloyd Elliott or Advanced Induction about the heads. As far as a cam try either combination motorsports or Joe Overton.