stp1971

So I have had to pull my engine out of my '97 Z28. It's leaking oil everywhere. The car has original 79,000 miles and its one of the 1001 30th Anniversay convertible Camaros. It's a pretty cool car and had its blemishes but all in all I like it.

Problem is I am leaning towards rebuilding the engine while I have it out. But calling around its pretty much just as cheap to order a built motor rather than rebuild mine. Within a few hundred bucks.

I cannot find anywhere any numbers on the block. Do they still do matching numbers? The car is somewhat collectible but I plan on driving this one versus letting it be a garage queen.

If I put another engine in there will it mess up the value? Or if I put another engine will it help increase the value? I am looking at a TPiS 355 430hp complete long block assembly. If I get this engine it will pretty much double what I have in the car.

shoebox

A partial VIN is stamped on the block and transmission...

stp1971

Oh. So for collectibility I probably should stick with rebuilding mine then. So much oil and crud on the block just haven't found it yet.

6SpdLT1Z

I don't see them being worth a lot any time soon. I'd stash the block and build up your motor (assuming you are doing a rebuild/upgrade) using a used block.

popo8

Here is the deal...even with as collectible as they are...its not gonna be lile the old days...but if keeping it numbers matchimg is what matters to u.... Replace it with a built motor...or build it ul...what matters is that u Keep the original motor....(its low mileage, and prob why its leaking all over).

My 96 was dd and didnt drip a drop with 120k on it 7 years ago.

So in the end ..if buying a built motor is more attractive...just drain...clean bag and store the # matching one.

Just my 2c

Ps+with blocks as cheap as 75 bucks on ebay its less down time to buy...build then swap.



Larry (Popo8) Co-owner
LTXtech.com

stp1971

Yeah. I was looking at getting a used block and either going the route of a 355 or maybe save another couple months and maybe go the 383 route. Of course the 355 is more affordable and TPiS is talking 475hp for their 383.

Just trying to justify this to the wife and decide if I want to pony up the money is the hard thing to decide.

popo8

Lol... I have over 30k into my 4k camaro.... Its a serious snow ball....


Larry (Popo8) Co-owner
LTXtech.com

Injuneer

A 350/355 LT1 with ported stock heads and the right supporting mods is good for 475HP at the flywheel. You don't need a high $$$ TPIS 383 motor with Dart heads to make that kind of HP.

As noted, bag your engine and start from scratch, a healthy LT1 block and a set of the correct LT1 heads, ported by one of the sources generally recommended on this forum.

slick1hunting

One thing ill note is from what ive read is the stock bottom end is better than what many of the builders of production type motors offer as their base model so research that a little. I ordered a longblock from 2000 miles from me and wish I had went shortblock because I had leaky headstuds I had to deal with. With that being said I would consider people close enough that perhaps they would stand behind their work or that you could follow through any kind of action you may need to take. Pretty much protect yourself and search out if they are reputable and how they deal with any issues that could arise its good to do as you are and ask around on the forum. Before you purchase educate yourself. I know if I would have I would have done things different. Keep in mind any other supporting mods in drivetrain and suspension for the power levels you either reach or plan to reach.

stp1971

I called one if the local shops again to see if he will get me a quote worked up. I'm almost at the point to just yank the heads and send them off to get resurfaced and reworked. Maybe that's the route to go.

So what places have folks on here sent their heads to in order to get ported. Maybe I can just get the heads reworked and ported. Maybe get a good cam and valvetrain upgrade and just use my stock shortblock.

With 78,000 miles shouldn't the bottom end still be strong enough to accommodate an upgraded valve train and cam assembly?

popo8

Hci is where its at if u wanna up the power....

I like lloyd elliot...

But advanced inductions also has packages


Larry (Popo8) Co-owner
LTXtech.com

Injuneer

Getting the heads ported, and a matching cam from a single source makes sense:

Advanced Induction - LTx Performance Parts

http://www.elliottsportworks.com/

stp1971

Who is HCI and who's Lloyd Elliot? Where are they at and how are they with their pricing?

stp1971

Oh. Ok.

popo8

I see the link to L.E. has been posted for u...

And

HCI is :

Heads
Cam
Intake


Larry (Popo8) Co-owner
LTXtech.com