Crate Motors

[marsk5]

right now im searching for a new motor, im looking at the gm performance 350HO 330hp/380tq, but i was on ebay and found some motors that were cheaper from a company called PHOENIX ENGINE has anyone had one of these motors? and what about Blueprint engines any good? im kinda of on a budget.

 

[K5_Fla]

i have been looking at the 350HO... I think if I was going to do it, I would only use GM

 

[Chevy305]

take a peak at the yearone crate engines:

http://www.yearone.com/serverfiles/fbshopmain2.asp?hid=C26DK73495

Had I known that building an engine of similar specs to the $400 horse one would have ended up costing more than the crate engine with a warentee from a renouned vender.

EDIT: Here is a thread I posted about it when it first came out:
http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=171600&highlight=yearone+crate+engine

 

[Ned Kelly]

Should be some local engine shops in your area? I find they are competitive and warranty (if needed) is local. Maybe contact your local hot rod/car club and talk to some members there. Usually they know who is good to deal with, and who is not good.

 

[fallguy]

I have the blueprint 383, got it from jegs. Havent got her fired up yet (need more money ).

 

[marsk5]

do you think blueprint is good?

 

[fallguy]

So far I'm impressed, they use good quality parts. Everything was packaged up perfectly, no shipping damage. Good detailed instructions for the break-in period & suggested oil to use. Also I have called them a couple of times for suggestions on serpentine conversions & radiators & they have been very helpfull.

Overall-descent warranty & good price, I got the 383 rated @ 405 hp & 440 ft pds. My dyno sheet actually showed to be 403 hp & 448 ft pds.

 

[marsk5]

Thanks for all the help, I'm lookin at the budget stomper 355 I'm thinking that's the one I'm guna get or build mine own.

 

[wasted wages]

have been looking at the 350HO... I think if I was going to do it, I would only use GM

Well...... Let me tell you a little story about my GM Crate 454HO......

I have told this before on other threads as well...

I purchased a new GM 454HO from my local chevy dealer....tossed it in the blazer,,, primed the oil pump and didn't really like the O/P I was seeing on the gauge... I tried a second gauge, and got the same result...

I called chevy's tech support line... spoke to a tech and he said...and I quote..."there is no way your 1/2 inch electric drill is going to spin the oil pump fast enough to make any more oil pressure.... crank it up... it has a warranty anyway.."

hmmmmmmm..... not the answer I was looking for...

buttoned up the rest of the engine...and cranked it up... the oil pressure went from 50 psi to 0 in about 5 seconds...

I shut it off...double checked everything and cranked it a second time....
50 to 0 psi in about 5 seconds again...

I called them back, and was told.... you must have done something wrong....

At this point I had convinced myself that the oil pump shaft was slipping or the pickup was loose or something to that effect, and decided to pull the pan before I pulled the engine back out.

I dropped the pan down,,,but had to remove the oil pump before I could get it to clear the crossmember....as I was loosening the oil pump ( working from within the pan still ) My wrench slipped out of my hand and fell into the bottom of the oil pan...I reached into the pan to get the wrench.....

and came out with a handfull of plastic wrap.....

once I got the pan dropped...I found several pieces of plastic wrap and 2 pieces of 6"x6" cardboard sheets laying in the sump....this is what was getting sucked up against the oil pickup screen when I cranked the engine..

I threw the pan and all the junk in it in my truck and drove straight to the dealer where I picked up the engine....chevy and I had a long discussion about the details and they ended up giving me a written warranty for 2 years on the bottom end...

I put it all back together,, and never had a minutes trouble out of it since...