hmmm...wonder how they are building the LT4 with a discontinued intake manifold. Though it looks you can get an LT5 for a pretty good price too

 

they don't include the intake.
even if they did that would be something bead blasted and re used.

 

yeah it comes without the intake manifold.

 

They will also quote custom builds.

 

Meh i wouldnt, i dont trust those types of places at all. I dont care if it has warranty, i want it done right the first time.

You get what you pay for.

 

Exactly, and even if it has a warranty, you still have to go through the hassle of pulling the motor out once again.

 

AutoZone does not build the engines of course nor do they make engine kits. All that stuff comes from a vendor.

 

This is who does the autozone engines. Looks fine to me

http://www.reconengines.com/

 

victory racing has there ultra economy shorts for 2599, 2799 for 383. Then send heads to loyd elliot budget Le1 package w/cam 1100 regular Le1 1200. Probably best bang for buck on engines.

 

A friend of mine works for a nationally known engine rebuilder. And knowing some of the tricks they use to get those engines out the door, I sure wouldn't want one under the hood of my grocery getter, let alone my camaro.

 

They only over bore and replace pistons that need it. You might have some .30 and a .60 and some standard. Same goes for rod and main journals.

 

i just cringed.

 

When I put in my 96 Formula, it shows 3 available engines.

SUREFIRE Engine for a 1996 Pontiac Firebird

Unit Price: $1999.99
Core Value*: $450.00
Part No.: DCT2
Weight: 420.0 lbs.
Warranty: 3 YR
Availability: Online: Not Available
Store: Special Order
Note:

Hot run power tested up to 30 minutes. Double roller timing chain. Brass freeze plugs. All blocks line honed. Block & heads 100% surfaced. Cam bearings line bored to standard chrome or moly rings. Complete installation gasket set. With 2 bolt mains, 1 piece rear seal, center mounted valve cover bolts, roller cam. Aluminum heads block #327. Head #649. *** Call 1-800-790-9094 for application verification and delivery time before ordering ***

EVERGREEN_REMAN Engine for a 1996 Pontiac Firebird

Unit Price: $1621.99
Core Value*: $450.00
Part No.: CHV-82HPL
Weight: 350.0 lbs.
Warranty: 3 YR
Availability: Online: Not Available
Store: Special Order

RECON 728510 3 YR $800.00 $2158.99
Attention: to order must know if original engine has
- block casting #10125327
- head casting #10128374 (MORE...)

 

Two words...

NO THANKS.

This is the time that I tell you like everyone else I know to buy some tools and do it yourself. The small block chevy is one of the easiest and cheapest engines in the world to rebuild. Do it yourself, make a friend on the boards or find someone who can help you, and go at it. Take your machine shops advice and dont cut corners.

I was 13 when I rebuilt my first V8. The guy I sold it to still drives it today, with NO problems. Now Im 24 and have done dozens for myself and friends, from stock rebuilds to strokers. Save the money and put it towards a budget 383 rotating assembly, send the heads to Lloyd, and do the bare necessities as far as machine work goes. You might see the prices will be somewhat similar for the leg work involved, and in many cases, cheaper. ALOT cheaper. Not to mention, when you hear your own engine for the first time and you drive it, it feels sooooo good and you feel better about where your money went. Get a junk motor to play with... practice taking it apart and putting it together.

This is the fun part of owning a V8 car...to me and many others. Working on it!

Right now I'm building an LT1 injected 434 for my '94. Total cost for the entire engine is under $7000 as of right now. Do some research and search for deals online for the parts you want...you might suprise yourself.

 

I would imagine assembling a SBC would be easy. Just gotta have a machine shop do all the block work(boring, honing, etc). Im weighing the options of assembling mine myself, if a shop costs too much to do it.