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Engine rebuild or swap considerations

OBDI/TBI engines are extremally limited in what you can do to make more horse power. The only modifications I did to my TBI crate engine was install a Comp Cams Computer controlled cam that increased the duration by 30-degrees, and the lift by 20-thousands of an inch. Have to go very little on the lift because stock GM heads have push in rocker studs, and cannot handle a whole lot of lift without pulling out the studs. My TBI was bored out 1/8", which increased the CFM from 480 to 620, and my adjustable fuel pressure regulator is set at 12-PSI. I was only pushing 9-PSI with my stock TBI fuel pressure regulator. All this netted maybe 20 HP and 30 FT Lbs of torque, which is not even noticable cruising around normally. The only good thing about my new TBI crate engine is I have a new engine that is going to last me for 200,000 miles.
 
Its all a compromise, the LS swap with an original computer and a a reworked stock harness plus all the small parts will be around $2500 if I can find a good engine for under $800. But LS engines are creeping up on 20 years old so the days of pulling one without going through it are about over. The direct inject 2015+ kick ass but everyone knows that and charges accordingly. Rebuilding a 350 TBI will be $1000+ and then a new throttle body since this one is 32 years old and has 200k+ on it. All compromises.
 
eodcoduto said:
Rebuilding a 350 TBI will be $1000+ and then a new throttle body since this one is 32 years old and has 200k+ on it
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Just the bottom end itself will be $2000. Machine shops charge about $80 a hole to bore a block these days. Then you got decking the block, align boring. That is not even counting the pistons, crank, rod main bearing, rod bolts, head bolts. It adds up fast. A good set of aftermarket heads will be another $1500. My crate engine was $1700 + free shipping. That was before the internet was taxed. Last I looked the same engine I bought is currently $4000 + tax now days. My TBI had over 200,000 miles on, but after a good rebuild it was like new. I remember the name of the company that can do a killer job on tour TBI. It is called "CFM Technologies" located on the east coast. My entire engine after all parts and every thing was about $3000. That was in 2016 money...who knows today.
 
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Unfortunately I don't think there is a "cheap" way to do an engine in any capacity anymore, except getting everything off a donor, and if low mileage LS stuff is out, then it kind of levels the playing field, in a bad way.

The crate GM Vortec engine I bought for $1900 to my door a few years back was $4k last I checked. GM did that actually, apparently someone internally decided they were too cheap. Market went dry of L31's for a couple of months, when they were available again they were double what they had been.
 
Nothing is cheap and machine shops are drying up. If only Toyota made a stand alone for their 5.7!
 
It looks like I have settled on an 8.1L Vortec at this point. They go for the same price as a 6.0L around me and seem to be less beat on, I'll keep the 4L80e and start collecting parts. I am giving myself 2 years to save and buy what I need. The low torque curve is my biggest selling point, and being able to pull the camper with the Suburban instead of the Tundra will be nice.
 
eodcoduto said:
It looks like I have settled on an 8.1L Vortec at this point. They go for the same price as a 6.0L around me and seem to be less beat on, I'll keep the 4L80e and start collecting parts. I am giving myself 2 years to save and buy what I need. The low torque curve is my biggest selling point, and being able to pull the camper with the Suburban instead of the Tundra will be nice.
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It won't even know the camper is back there...
 
Wes Harden said:
Paw was 40 min drive and 20mi as crow flys from where I grew up. I could walk to Super Shops, but I mean who does that,
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I think I remember that Super Shops and PAW where located in Ontario, Ca. I was living in South Orange County at the time in Mission Viejo, Ca. and Ontario was a little bit of a drive. I just mail ordered my stuff from PAW. I worked at the time for Moroso Performance warehouse that supplied Super Shops with all their Moroso Performance stuff so I just got what ever Moroso Performance stuff I needed from the warehouse I worked at. I remember buying Blue Racer camshafts and lifter kits from PAW that I think where manufactured by Federal-Mogul at the time in the U.S.A. Got my Carter AFB carburators (now Edelbrock) from PAW as well. I built a sweet 454 in a 1977 C30 single cab dually with parts from PAW. That engine was putting out at least 375 HP with over 400 Ft Lbs. torque.
 
Paw was 8n Glendale CA. Near Burbank. Super Shops were everywhere. Their hq was in Carson City nv. I think summit owns that facility now
 
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