Eighty8Iroc-Z

I just bought an 88' Iroc-Z and that same night the engine started knocking pretty bad. I took it to TPS because a friend of mine works there and they said that the problem was "terminal" and they didn't reccomend rebuilding the engine, which i think is BS, but anyway, i'm overwhelmed by decisions i'm having to consider and I hope you guys can help me out because im sure you've already been through it.


Should I rebuild my engine to a 383 stroker ? if so, whats involved and how much money am i looking at? new computer?

Or should I buy a rebuild 350TPI off the web which comes with a 7yr 70,000mi warranty for about 1300$

Or should I have my engine rebuild locally?

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for you time guys.

just found something in my travels across the vast wasteland i refer to as the www, thought it might be interesting to more people than me, tell me what u think.

http://www.mp-auto.com/products.htm#7

seems that they're selling a 406HP SBC Short Block for a little over a grand.

Also i ran across another engine, 450hp 383 short block SBC for a very decent price of $1400.

http://speedomotive.com/450%20H.P.%...T%20WARRIOR.htm

anyway, what im thinking is i'll buy the short block and put my old heads on it for the time being so i can build on it later. someone please let me know if im being a complete idiot.

Thanks,
Justin

BigCasino87GTA

It all depends on what you want to do with the car, is it a daily driver? Is it your only source of transportation? If you want to use the car every single day and are new to engine modding and so on, I'd get the 350TPI with the warranty. This way, you can learn your way around the engine and so on - then later on, move on to something like the 383 etc... I personally would shy away from getting a custom 383 right off the bat, who knows if the place is giving you a good head/cam combo? who knows if they are giving you "too much" or maybe even "too little" motor for your needs. I'd get the 350TPI ( 7/70 warranty ) and do research for what you really want later on down the line. then again, that's just me. Good Luck with whatever you decide to do.

doug791

thats my engine build up plan....either buy a 383 short blockor just assemble one my self and just bolt on my stock heads/intake etc. That way i have a killer base to work on and then when i slap some stuff on it ill be soaring. Just be sure you dont unexpectedly exceed the power capabilities of your drive train because thatd suck if you built a killer engine and then blew your tranny/rear end and didnt have the coin to fix it. This is why i am doing my drivetrain before i do my engine but i have an engine in working condition

aklim

What parts are going into the lower end if you are buying that? I would make a plan of how much power you want ultimately. If you plan to finally put a supercharger, turbo or NO2 on it, you'd better have forged internals. In which case, 1400 would not cover the cost of a balanced rotating assembly.

Eighty8Iroc-Z

I dont plan on going all to crazy with this engine. i'd like to have about 400 ponies in it, im not big into dragging it down the strip or anything but I also don't want my *** handed to me by the little civics these little punks drive around. It is a daily driver and I have plans to bring it back to beautiful condition. I can't think of a car i'd rather have right now, but until I get this engine situation figured out I'm rolling around in a little 86' toyota corolla with no A/C (in s.florida thats a killer!).

I would go with a 350TPI in it but I'd be stuck with about 220hp stock and even with new heads, cam, etc, it'd be hard to get a whole lot out of it thus turning the engine into junk when i want to upgrade.

The 383 SB with my old heads (machined of course) is the plan I'm favoring at the moment.

If anyone knows where to get a good 383 SB for a decent price please let me know, or atleast where NOT to buy.

Thanks alot for your time and thoughts boys

Justin

aklim

At the 400 HP level, I would say you could go with a balanced and bluprinted SB. The pistons should be forged but the rest will hold up if they are reworked stock. It will be a reworked 400 crank with rods. Heads, I would stay away from TFS. Get the better brands so later you can transfer them to a different motor provided you don't throw a rod.

nape

I'd be a bit weary of the first site you listed as they haven't updated their website in almost 5 years. Definately call and talk to someone in depth about what the motor has in it/if pricing is still the same.

That just kinda struck me as odd. 5 years is a long time!

aklim

I bought TFS heads and they were bad for my engine (another story). Cost me a rebuild. So, you get what you paid for. Don't skimp because your big buck head can become a paperweight if your bottom end goes loose.