So the engine is in my 92 c1500 is starting to crap out its got a horrible engine tick that keeps getting worse. So im afraid its time to replace it. I'm looking for something with more power and will help me get better fuel economy as well. I thought about building a stroker motor but dont have time to build anything right now as its my work truck. Was browsing summit and there are so many options its hard. I would like to have enough power to tow a blazer around to the trails around here. So what says ck5. Oh yeah looking to keep it around 3000 3500 total will be doing all labor my self.
CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.
engine suggestions
- Thread starter white90burb
- Start date
Stomis
Professional Amateur
With a budget like that theres honestly only two options. Find a good deal on a 5.3 pull, decent cam, and get it in. Could probably be done on budget and would require wiring obviously. Or go to the boneyard and pickup a vortec 350 for $200 and build a 383 out of it.
Ramjet 350 
I want to stick with the tbi and I dont want to spend a bunch of time tuning it. More or less want to pull the motor out put new one in and be running in a weekend. Was leaning towards a crate motor like a 350 with roller cam and vortec heads or a 383 if I can find one in my price range. How much price difference would there be between buying a crate motor and having an engine built.
I got a 350 rebuilt at a local shop for your budget or less. In my case they replaced my block but used my original top end. I'd think a shop could work with you though in terms of using something they have and taking your "core" later.
Personally, I'd take the opportunity to move away from TBI though. Easy for me to say though, since I haven't priced anything out.
Personally, I'd take the opportunity to move away from TBI though. Easy for me to say though, since I haven't priced anything out.
I dont want to move away from tbi. I've owned three tbi trucks and had no issues with any of them. They are super reliable and easy to work on. I have a buddy who has a vortec engine for 120. Maybe ill call a machine shop and see what they would charge.
Stomis
Professional Amateur
I believe with prices the way they are its actually less to have an engine built/rebuilt. You could save even more if you did assembly yourself.
79rustyk10
3/4 ton status
I'd just toss in another TBI 350 then. Do some bolt on mods, and call it good. A TBI 350 will be plenty for what that truck capable of handling.
^This, for the win
454Sub
5/8 ton status
I used the newer "Vortec" style (Mine is a 454 though) and kept the TBI. Best of both worlds. In my wheeling (mud), a TBI is 20x more reliable than any other form of FI. So I got the HP/TQ of the newer 98+ motors and the stone dead reliability of the TBI system.
4xcrazy
3/4 ton status
$1200 for a shop to do the complete rebuild, head rebuild, crank conditioning, new pistons, all new bearings and seals, bored out the cylinders, reassembly,, everything including the addition to have the roller cam and lifter setup installed in my '89 Burb.
I pulled the engine, dropped it off they did the rework, I reinstalled the engine.
A lot of places and this one in particular have told me it's usually cheaper to have them do a complete rebuild like that, than to have pieces and parts reworked here and there because they usually get decent deals on the parts required for the build from buying in bulk or consistently.
It turns out to be much easier than having to deal with individual components myself, just drop the whole block off, pick up the whole block, although they usually left the oil pan and intake off for the customers reinspection of the main and rod bolts' torque. They left off the intake to make sure I knew there was in fact roller running gear in there.
I didn't have mine built for more power though, mainly had it rebuilt for reliability, I wanted it to last a long time.
I pulled the engine, dropped it off they did the rework, I reinstalled the engine.
A lot of places and this one in particular have told me it's usually cheaper to have them do a complete rebuild like that, than to have pieces and parts reworked here and there because they usually get decent deals on the parts required for the build from buying in bulk or consistently.
It turns out to be much easier than having to deal with individual components myself, just drop the whole block off, pick up the whole block, although they usually left the oil pan and intake off for the customers reinspection of the main and rod bolts' torque. They left off the intake to make sure I knew there was in fact roller running gear in there.
I didn't have mine built for more power though, mainly had it rebuilt for reliability, I wanted it to last a long time.
