A good machine shop will torque bore and align hone. Don't think auto zone motors do anything but a cheap ring and bearings kit.

 

I'm sure they are cutting some corners somewhere.

 

Are you going to mod the car or are you keeping it fairly stock? I would say no thanks on that operation, you can get a set of good forged pistons and rods for like 700 bucks and reuse the stock crank. 500+ hp shortblock for under 2k. Throw on a set of le1 heads and you have a 450 hp motor for 3-4k, not bad...

 

I got a call back from them today and they use Federal Mogul bearings and ARP fasteners. This is from recon... awesome deal for the money. Basically they take the motor apart and replace all the bearings, rings, fasteners, lifters, springs, and such and check the block and heads for cracks. They bore to the next size up if needed. Also do a valve job and deck all surfaces.

 

so basically if you are looking for a close to stock replacement engine, just to get the car going again, with a warranty, it may be something to look into??? psshh, but who really wants that

 

i would go with that lt4 i saw on the first page for sixteen something, personally.