Chuck Speake
Thu, 19 Jun 2008 15:18:47 -0700
I recently installed a 350ci 411hp crate engine from Year One that was made for them by Hi-Tech out of Salt Lake City and after about thirty miles the studs around #4 cylinder started to pull out. I told them to keep it after Hi-Tech examined it and said there was nothing wrong with it and Year One did refunded my money and ate the freight to send it back to Hi-Tech who told me if I did not want it they were going to put it back together and resell it as a new engine. I had DRC Performance Transmissions build me an engine which is a 355ci with TRW pistons, Chevy steel rods, high volume oil pump, Pro-Line aluminum heads with screw in studs this time, roller cam and roller rockers, double gear timing chain, air gap manifold and ceramic coated Hooker headers. We used my MSD iginition system from my other engine as well as the water pump, 770cfm Holley Street Avenger, and wire looms. The entire package came out with removal of the Hi-Tech engine, complete assembly and installation of the new engine along with a follow up oil change came to around $3,500 compared to the $2,900 (not including the removal of the old engine and installation of the new) they wanted for the piece of [EMAIL PROTECTED] that Hi-Tech made. I picked up the car on Thursday night in a suburb of Chicago and drove the next day to the Wisconsin Dells for a car show and back again in three days. Then in three weeks I left for and drove over 1,000 miles on the Hot Rod Power Tour with it and absolutely no problems on either trip. We are guess (I haven't had the engine dyo'ed) that the engine is putting out around 430+hp. I haven't figured out the mileage for the Hot Rod Tour yet, but coming home from the Wisconsin Dells I got 19 miles to the gallon. With that motor I am very happy, decent mileage for a husky motor and it will put you back in your seat when you jump on it. I totally agree, find a good shop that you know or can get referred to and have them make you an engine. If they are like DRC they will stand behind the engine if you have a problem as long as you haven't done something really stupid to it. I am going to take it back to him next week for a minor adjustment (running a little rich) and an oil change (I will supply the oil) and there will be no charge. If you do go with a crate I would really recommend staying with a GM or only highly recommended by people you trust custom engine builders. You do not want an assembly line engine builder like Hi-Tech. My 2 cents. Hope it helps. Except for a little water and rain one morning the Power Tour was great! Chuck Speake 1970 Chevelle Malibu Glen Ellyn, Illinois [EMAIL PROTECTED] From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Brad Waller Sent: Thursday, June 19, 2008 1:33 PM To: 'The Chevelle Mailing List' Subject: Re: [Chevelle-list] GMPP crate engines Do you have any good speed shops in your area? If so, stop by and chat with the owner if possible about what you want. I bet for that same $5K you could get a 383 or 350 that is just as driveable with more power and maybe some chrome. You might not have the warranty, but if they are a good shop chances are you will not need it. Way back when I needed an engine for my Chevelle, I was able to get a great short block from my local shop for about $1,200 that was way better than anything I could get from a catalog. It's never needed a warranty, and I think it's been about 15 years since I put it in. And I've done 1200 mile road trips with that engine and the only problems I ever had was with the 700R4 transmission on one of them. Any crate engine you get should be able to handle a short road trip of 175 miles unless it is a street/strip engine. Brad Waller ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) '66 Corvette | 327/dead | 4-speed | Wilwood Brakes | 245/45/16 BFG R1 '67 Chevelle | ex-SS396 | 355/700R4 | F-Body Brakes | 275/40/17 Kumho MX _____ From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of John Ziomek Sent: Thursday, June 19, 2008 6:20 AM To: The Chevelle Mailing List Subject: [Chevelle-list] GMPP crate engines Hi Folks, I was hoping that some folks out here can shed some light on the GMPP crate engines. I have decided to stick with a 350 for my 70 Clone and want to use one of the 'turn key' motors with the serpentine systems already installed. I'm using a small block because after all of the projects that I undertook since high school (i'm 42 now!) I finally decided that I wanted a project car that I can actually drive to where ever I want to go without loading up the trunk with tools and parts, etc... Plus now that I have been married for almost 10 years, and the fact that my wife has 3 gear head brothers and father, I have been put on notice that she will 'need' to drive this thing on occasion as well considering where that the funds come from the joint checking account now.. :) Anyways, I am looking at either the 350/355 or the 350/385 'fast burn' with the Aluminum heads. The specs on the cam's for these motors suggest a slightly lopey idle which is what I would want. Has anyone installed or know of anyone who has installed one of these motor's? Are you/they happy? Is the performance/reliability everything that was expected? The car will have an M21 along with a 12bolt with 3.73's. The car will also have to make an annual run of about 175 each way every summer. The small blocks are available to me for slightly under $5k delivered to my home via the local Chev dealer. The primary reason I am sticking with the small block is the price as even the 454/HO when all is said and done will come in closer to $10k. The small block turn key motors also allow me to re-use the A/C with the included compressor as well. You only need to change the 'stock' valve covers, add a fuel line, and your up and running. So, any and all info, good or bad, etc would be very much appreciated. I want to order one of these next week and get it here for the weekend of July 4th, so at least my fellow gear head family members as well as friends can drool over it at the picnic we throw on the 4th... Thanks for your info on this. I really appreciate it. John Z from CT.