K5Justin

I'm probably looking at a new engine for my 97 Z28 soon. I picked the car up last summer for $3,000 and it only had 91K miles on it! (I got it cheap because it was throwing a SES code that the owner couldn't figure out, and she had lost her patience). Turns out it was a $20 relay at NAPA

However, just when I started to brag, I changed the car's oil for the first time.....to find a lot more METAL than anyone would like to admit.

This began to explain the slight "knocking" sound I hear on cold starts.

Anyway, instead of slowly draining my account by replacing many vital components of the LT1....I thought it might just be better to save my money and go for a new engine this winter.

As much as I'd love to got for an LS1, I just don't have the budget for the change. So, I'm wondering, what popular crate engine alternatives (besides a stroker 383....I don't desire THAT much HP), are there?

Can our PCM work with most any fuel injected crate out there? Anyone have any preferences?

Would something like this work well?
Chevy 350 SS Crate Engine - Precision Rebuilt Engines

Thanks for any info!

97WS6SCharged

You can make the PCM control just about anything but it will require significant reworking of the wiring harness. Not really worth the time or hassle of dealing with a 16 year old wiring harness though. My recommendation, don't.

If you're doing this over the winter why not just rebuild the LT1 in the car? Or find another LT1 to rebuild? Swapping to an older SBC will be almost as expensive as installing an LS1 (possibly more so).

redline9570

Just go with a crate lt1, I seen them for sale somewhere for $4500 for a 400hp version. I had to dig deep to find it but I know it's out there.

RamAir95TA

You can probably find a good used OEM short/long block on the forums/local for around $1000. I would start there.

K5Justin

I noticed these guys (GMC & Chevy Performance Crate Engines) have two LT1s available, 1 rated at 370HP and the other at 395HP !

However, they begin at just over $3,000.

Any recommendations on something that's just a little more budget friendly?

I could probably find a complete car for about $3K !

What would you guys do?
Thanks!

shoebox

If your budget is holding your back, then tearing it down, repairing what is needed and putting it back together is going to be the thriftiest (unless you come across a complete used engine at a bargain).

redline9570

That sounds like a fair price but a car for 3k will be high miles and run down. Considering a good set of heads and valve train will cost you close to 3k and you can get a 395hp for the same price is a good deal. Toss a 100 shot NOS on it and you're good to go =).

Catmaigne

That knocking sound on cold starts is called piston slap. The motor will drive fine as long as you let it warm up and allow the components to expand. However, if you beat on it when it's cold then you're going to wear out a cylinder bore pretty quick.

For 3k I would drive it till it dies, then pull and build the motor.

K5Justin

In the interim I placed a magnet on the bottom of my oil pan (going to try and pull all the metal out within the next oil change, or two).

And, yes, the car is just way too pretty to think otherwise, so, I'll just probably go with a new one down the road. In the meantime, I'll just cruise.

Although... the LS1s are really tempting!

Speaking of piston slap, I don't every recall hearing that on my 98 years ago. Of all my cars, this is the first one I've ever noticed it so much..