Is it better to buy a block, for example, a gm 350 block, with a 290hp potential for $1600USD, which will need intake manifold,carb,water pump, balancer, distributor & dampener... OR buy a turn key engine 2300USD+Freight or equivalent $3200USD (with Freight and exchange), like the link below..
http://www.phoenixengine.com/Chevy-12.html

1. is it beneficial to put the parts after market parts on it, instead of buying turn key? (pan to carb)
2. Is it cheaper to buy the block and buy the parts for it individually?

Basically, I am allowed to spend $3000.00CAD on an engine.

found these good priced engine, well balanced and high HP.. what do you guys think?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/CHEVY-350-325-HP-1955-85-MIDNIGHT-ORANGE-CRATE-ENGINE-3_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ66Q3a2Q7c65Q3a16Q7c3 9Q3a1Q7c240Q3a1309QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhash Zitem200287893479QQitemZ200287893479QQptZMotorsQ5f CarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories#ht_3505wt_809

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/CHEVY-350-350HP-CHEVY-CRATE-ENGINE_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ66Q3a2Q7c65Q3a1 6Q7c39Q3a1Q7c240Q3a1318QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14Q QhashZitem230313227864QQitemZ230313227864QQptZMoto rsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories#ht_3422wt_1 344

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/CHEV-327-335HP-CRATE-ENGINE-BY-TUFF-DAWG-ENGINES_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ66Q3a2Q7c65Q3a 16Q7c39Q3a1Q7c240Q3a1318QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14 QQhashZitem130275128508QQitemZ130275128508QQptZMot orsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories#ht_3108wt_ 1344


what do you guys think is the best bang for its buck?

Not sure off hand, but make sure you take into consideration your shipping cost for every part that your long block doesn't come with. Might be cheaper for you to buy turn key.

Vic,

I want to alert you that there is a DUDE floating around AZ that is an engine building SCAMMER so please VERY MUCH DO YOUR HOMEWORK when considering buying an engine from that state!

Please do a search OR maybe one of the other guys can point you to the lonnnnng thread about him??

And I'm not bad-mouthing the HONEST GUY's that build and sell engines from AZ!

pdq67

Vic,
I want to alert you that there is a DUDE floating around AZ that is an engine building SCAMMER so please VERY MUCH DO YOUR HOMEWORK when considering buying an engine from that state!
Please do a search OR maybe one of the other guys can point you to the lonnnnng thread about him??
And I'm not bad-mouthing the HONEST GUY's that build and sell engines from AZ!
pdq67
Here is the link for the above mentioned: http://www.camaros.net/forums/showthread.php?t=68997&highlight=prestige
And a quote from someone on here:
It is sad to see this bastard Will is still in business.
In my opinion he would screw his own mother if he thought he could make a buck.
He will lie, duck calls, use every excuse in the book.
This is a fact. I still have all correspondence from him.
I went through an atty and got back all but 3 grand.
He even lied to my atty.
He had agreed to a settlement amount with the agreement that he would pay ALL expenses to get it back to his shop.
Well he sent the settlement amount and then was supposed to pay to have the engine pulled, crated and shipped back to him.
Well I got screwed again, I ended up paying to pull and crate the engine.
All he paid was the shipping.
This is not only my opinion it is a fact, like I said I have the documentation to prove it.
Looks like it is time to put up a website designed to put this trash out of business.
Do you have any engine shops around you? If so I would get someone LOCAL to build an engine for you with a warranty and build it exactly the way you intend to drive it. :thumbsup:

I was just looking into the GM crate motor for $1600 from local Scoggin Dickey, it was the lower hp model, 249 hp . The 290 hp was more like $1950 . I have used the lower hp model, just changed to roller tip rocker and a better Mellings cam. This motor is still in the car with over 30k miles on it, no problems. It really depends on what you are going to do with this car or motor.
I don't like those mail order turn key jobs as you pay for frieght, which did not get you anything but the motor to the door.
Go down to GM dealer and put the money in a motor you can pick up. Add items with save money. 3K won't go far if you don't do this. And you get a 100k warranty from GM. While they are in business. Just my 2¢

I want to say that somebody may still be selling the old style, 2-piece crank seal Goodwrench engine for like $1,400 or so BUT I forget who it is!

I want to say that they were selling the old 2-piece seal jobbers off, but may be wrong here??

Guys, who was it?? Maybe they were and now they are $1,600??

pdq67

i was planning on going to www.phoenixengine.com, which has a good engine for about 2350+freight... its a 350 with 330HP, links here, now waht hesitates me is phoenix is in arizona lol, a lot of scams, the most innocent looking at usually the probable suspects! has anyone bought from phoenixengines.com? this is the engine I am looking at, let me know what you guys think...

http://www.phoenixengine.com/Chevy-12.html

I live in Vancouver Canada, does anyone know a good local dealer for Canada, OR even in Washington state, that I could drive down and look at a engine before buying it?

I would check out the old Sallee Chevrolet Website. I think they are now called Gilbert, but just type in Sallee in your search engine. I believe they are located in Milton Freewater, Oregon, but really what's a few more miles(ok a lot but its closer than AZ) once you get into Washington? Their website is pretty extensive with lots of GM crate motors and motors they build them selves using GM short blocks.

I grew up in Blaine, Wa so I am a little familiar with your neck of the woods. Another big crate motor dealer back in the day was Jet Chevrolet in the Seattle/Tacoma area. I do not know if they are still around there or not.

Hope this helps...

Find a local builder it may cost more but with the exchange rate and shipping maybe less? shop in Edmonton or Calgary no pst sales tax ,easy shipping no border . try here http://www.prostock.net/ Save up a little more cash because you can never have to much HP.

Vic ,Call Gilbert Chev in Miltonfreewater Or. talk to Scott ,local and can proply help you did me ,Happy Motoring...1-800-545-0048 i think

Vic, I live in Phx and drive most of the city every week. If you need me to drop
in there and take a look let me know. I think they are in the deer valley area
of Phx., Gilbert chevy is a great place to deal with, Good Luck, Bill

hey thanks guys, super supportive, i will look into all the sites, thanks bill, i might just have to take you up on your offer in the next few months, i really appreciate it.