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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: alberta
Posts: 23
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Gm crate engine
looking at buying a new gm crate engine. Not looking for something that i can race on the 1/4 mile. I was looking at the 383 stroker with the vortex heads but not sure. What would you guys think would be a good cruiser engine and be able to do the odd burn out. lol. Would be going into 72 c10 2wd
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#2 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Godley, TX
Posts: 17,995
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Re: Gm crate engine
I'm considering the L31 and L31R GM crates - have heard pretty positive reviews on here. Not a hot rod engine, but a good truck engine. You may want more if you want to do burnouts.
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#3 |
Senior Member
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Location: Chattanooga TN
Posts: 6,224
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Re: Gm crate engine
After having issues with a GMPP 350 / 290hp I was denied warranty coverage because it was not installed by an ASE certified mechanic.
4.3 L valve seals in a 350, and it's not a problem for them, and/or justified warranty issue. Let's just say it was my first and last GMPP crate motor. There are better options out there. Check out S&J Engines out of Spokane Washington. I just bought a Jeep 4.0 from them and I am thoroughly pleased with it. The prices are great and 7yr warranty.
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Chad 1967 C10 SWB - Project Savannah - 6.0/4L80 *Currently underway* 1968 C10 SWB - TOTY 2018, 50th Anniversary Tribute Project * Sold * Pride and Joy 1986 Silverado Short Fleet - Scarlet *Sold* 1985 Silverado Short Fleet *Sold* 2022 Jeep Gladiator Mojave 2001 Jeep Cherokee XJ 4x4 - Lifted, Built 1992 Jeep Cherokee XJ 4x4 - Lifted 2013 Honda Accord EX-L v6 Coupe 6spd (wife's ride) |
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#4 |
Who Changed This?
![]() Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Simi Valley, CA
Posts: 10,946
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Re: Gm crate engine
I watch these threads and wonder what I can get for my truck that is sure to be reliable. It's tough enough for me to do the work, but to do it twice is complete BS. I need torque, not high revs, which is what seems to be out there.
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~Steven '70 Chevy 3/4T Longhorn CST 402/400/3.56 Custom Camper Simi Valley, CA Last edited by Steeveedee; 09-21-2022 at 09:42 PM. |
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#5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Jurupa Valley, Ca
Posts: 1,211
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Re: Gm crate engine
I have one of the GM crate engines the SP350/357. Lots of power but beware not a real smooth idle. The cam in is is ground on a 108 LSA making good torque but idle quality suffers. I have had it in for a year and a half with no issues. I personally wish I had gone with the 383 now, but at the time it was significantly higher priced. At that time they had no L31's in stock. I've heard blueprint has good engines.
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Terry 1970 Custom Camper/C20 , GM Crate 350/7004R, Dana 60, factory AC |
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#6 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Simi, CA
Posts: 495
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I have a GMPP L31 350 which has vortex heads. I scored it for $600 from a wealthy dude who upgraded to a LS. It was the only thing I could afford at the time. I installed a mild cam and Fitech fuel injection. I am considering purchasing a short block 383 from Skip White Performance since it will work with my heads, cam & FiTech and take me from 300 to about 400hp. The drawback to a higher HP 383 is that it would require a high stall torque converter which isn’t very street friendly, unless you have a manual transmission. If I were to do it all over I would get a low mileage LS with a 4L60 before I spent $4500+ on a new GMPP crate engine. SBCs are great but if you want a street/strip car you simply cannot beat a hopped up LS.
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#7 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Orem, Utah
Posts: 8,021
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Re: Gm crate engine
I have a 98 L31 Vortec with an HT383 cam and 9.5:1 pistons. I'm running a Quadrajet and HEI with 2.5 rams horns for the exhaust manifolds. It scoots pretty well and has plenty of grunt (I've literally pulled stumps with it). In my 72 Blazer with the stock TH350 and NP205 transfer case, 3.73 rear and 33" all-terrain TA radials it will spin the tires a bit if I get on it from a stop and chirp them going into second gear. I've never really tried to do a burnout (I don't like paying for tires) but I have my Z/28 for that...
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I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man. - Thomas Jefferson |
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#8 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Edmonton Alberta
Posts: 1,509
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Re: Gm crate engine
Get a Blueprint. Amazing engine and best bang for your buck. I have a 355 and I love it.
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DAVE Edmonton, Alberta 1959 Apache 1967 K20 1968 C20 1970 C10 1972 GMC 2500 1981 C10 |
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#9 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Exeter, NH
Posts: 795
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Re: Gm crate engine
Blueprint 383, 430 hp, I bought it complete, all I did was add oil and water
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#10 |
WHYBYNU when old will do
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Hot Springs, AR.
Posts: 650
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Re: Gm crate engine
I installed a ZZ6 in May this year. Put 250 miles on and headed out on Hot Rod Power Tour and drove 2200+ miles in 5 days, averaged 13+ MPG. So far I've put a total of 3300 miles on it this summer. Still running the th350 but installed a Pro Torque 2800-3200 stall converter. I'm running a Quick Fuel Slayer 650 CFM carb. Installed a set of Sanderson headers. Winter plans are to put 4le80 trans and get rid of the 3.07 gears for 3.55 or 3.73. it pulls hard and lays a little rubber when you want to. No complaints so far. I had a LS3 on order for 7 months it kept get pushed back so I just cancelled the order bought the ZZ6 and never looked back.
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71 Cheyenne super 2 tone green and white ZZ6 - Th350 4/6 drop 20x8.5 / 20x10 Billet Specialties |
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#11 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Spring Valley, Ca.
Posts: 1,137
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Re: Gm crate engine
I put the HO 350/330 hp GM crate motor in my '71. Backed up with a 700r4. Happy with it so far. Gets right down the road. Not much of a fan of burn outs though. Somewhere on U tube there is a video tour of the Bllueprint Motor facility. Pretty impressive.
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Smitty '71 Short Fleetside Spring Valley, Ca. Last edited by Smitty; 09-21-2022 at 11:27 PM. Reason: added dialog |
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#12 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Edmonton Alberta
Posts: 1,509
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Re: Gm crate engine
Just my 2 cents: you've done the research and found the engine you want. But they won't sell it to you.
I don't know how things are right now with the "supply chain" but I found that GM crate engines were basically unattainable a year and a half ago. Unless you paid in advance and were willing to wait 6 months for it to come in. I was not willing to wait. That's how I ended up with Blueprint. When I called and asked if they had any in stock Stephanie said, yeah, I am looking at the one I am going to sell you: and she read the serial number to me. My 355 was delivered within a week - to Canada, no less - and it has 410hp and 440 ft lbs of torque. It was not cheap, but it was the best dollar I ever spent on a truck. I did have some communication issues with the company (that I would chalk up to their rapid growth) but there is not one problem with their products that I can see.
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DAVE Edmonton, Alberta 1959 Apache 1967 K20 1968 C20 1970 C10 1972 GMC 2500 1981 C10 |
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#13 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: North Texas
Posts: 3,666
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Re: Gm crate engine
I rambled on about crate engines above, but just noticed you want to do burn outs. Well, just about any 383 will do it, especially with a higher stall torque converter. Many years ago my current C10 had a mild 383 with a TH350 and a Hughes GM20 converter (nominal 2000 RPM stall). That sucker would spin the tires even when I wasn't trying to, and would chirp the tires on the 1-2 shift. The axle ratio was just the stock 3.08 with a Auburn cone-type posi.
Someone in a hurry offered me crazy money for the 383, so I sold it and dropped in a mild 350 that I built up from parts in the shop where I worked on weekends. Even that engine will do a burnout. We're not talking Roadkill Garage stuff, but most of us don't get free tires anyway! But with a 383 and/or a 3.73 axle, watch out! BTW, I sold the 383 in order to get some project money for a new toy -- a 55 Chevy sedan. It ended up getting a 327 and a Muncie M20.
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Mike 1969 C10 LWB -- owned for 36 years. 350/TH350, 3.08 posi, 1st Gen Vintage Air, recent AAW wiring harness, 5-lug conversion, 1985 spindles and brakes. 1982 C10 SWB -- converted from 250-six to roller cam 350, Vortec heads -- sold 1981 C10 Silverado LWB, 305, TH350C -- sold, but wish I still had it! 1969 C10 (not the current one) that I bought in the early 1980s. Paid $1200; sold for $1500 a few years later. Just a hint at the appreciation that was coming. Retired as a factory automation products salesman. Worked part-time over the years for an engine builder and a classic car repair shop. Member here for 24 years! This is the very first car/truck Internet forum I joined. I still used a dial-up modem back then! |
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#14 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2020
Location: Kathleen, GA
Posts: 676
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Re: Gm crate engine
My plan is to get a 350, 4 bolt main, crate motor. Like many here, I just want a good truck engine that will be a good cruiser.
I'm also going with a Muncie M20. |
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#15 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: hickory, ky
Posts: 1,344
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Re: Gm crate engine
Crate motors are just a solid replacement for a factory engine. In the late 80s, my dad had a 305 80 model Cutlass with a tired engine. He bought a GM replacement 350/010 block crate motor. I put all the accessories on it and installed it for him. Wise choice, it ran for the life of the car. A few years ago, I saw an ad on CL in N Tenn about a 350 crate/010 block with 30k miles. He planned and executed an ls swap in his 68 c10. I brought the engine home and finally am putting it in the camaro. It's sort-of a fill the empty spot for now motor, so later, I can build a motor for it.
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:My build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=807535 1972 K10 swb/1968 Camaro 350/4spd 1955 210 2 dr sedan/1998 RCSB Z71/1977 Jeep CJ5 |
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#16 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2022
Location: Moorpark, CA
Posts: 775
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Re: Gm crate engine
Another vote for Blueprint Engines. They are new motors, not rebuilds. Blocks are cast in Ohio. They dyno every motor and back it with a very good warranty. You can buy direct or from places like Summit. Free shipping. I bought direct, motor was here in 4 days. 357 making 411 HP 413 TQ using a 600 cfm carb. Have a Hughes 2k standard size stall. Runs and drives perfect and has a nice cam idle but nothing stupid choppy
I also had a S&J 302 for my 70 Torino....had to send it back for replacement. YMMV |
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#17 | |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: North Texas
Posts: 3,666
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Re: Gm crate engine
Quote:
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Mike 1969 C10 LWB -- owned for 36 years. 350/TH350, 3.08 posi, 1st Gen Vintage Air, recent AAW wiring harness, 5-lug conversion, 1985 spindles and brakes. 1982 C10 SWB -- converted from 250-six to roller cam 350, Vortec heads -- sold 1981 C10 Silverado LWB, 305, TH350C -- sold, but wish I still had it! 1969 C10 (not the current one) that I bought in the early 1980s. Paid $1200; sold for $1500 a few years later. Just a hint at the appreciation that was coming. Retired as a factory automation products salesman. Worked part-time over the years for an engine builder and a classic car repair shop. Member here for 24 years! This is the very first car/truck Internet forum I joined. I still used a dial-up modem back then! |
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#18 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2022
Location: Moorpark, CA
Posts: 775
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Re: Gm crate engine
...No, they used a new block and bored it (or cast it that way) .040 over. The block has "Blueprint" cast into it. It's drilled for Z bar and fuel pump
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#19 |
Who Changed This?
![]() Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Simi Valley, CA
Posts: 10,946
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Re: Gm crate engine
I'd have to say, I'm curious what is so special about a .040 over 350, as opposed to a stock bore?
I'm liking those stroked 454 seasoned blocks, but I'm only looking for torque and HP up to 4000 RPM; my truck would see very little above that.
__________________
~Steven '70 Chevy 3/4T Longhorn CST 402/400/3.56 Custom Camper Simi Valley, CA |
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#20 | |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: North Texas
Posts: 3,666
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Re: Gm crate engine
Quote:
https://mooregoodink.com/what-is-cor...t-detrimental/
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Mike 1969 C10 LWB -- owned for 36 years. 350/TH350, 3.08 posi, 1st Gen Vintage Air, recent AAW wiring harness, 5-lug conversion, 1985 spindles and brakes. 1982 C10 SWB -- converted from 250-six to roller cam 350, Vortec heads -- sold 1981 C10 Silverado LWB, 305, TH350C -- sold, but wish I still had it! 1969 C10 (not the current one) that I bought in the early 1980s. Paid $1200; sold for $1500 a few years later. Just a hint at the appreciation that was coming. Retired as a factory automation products salesman. Worked part-time over the years for an engine builder and a classic car repair shop. Member here for 24 years! This is the very first car/truck Internet forum I joined. I still used a dial-up modem back then! |
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#21 | |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: North Texas
Posts: 3,666
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Re: Gm crate engine
Quote:
I'm still curious why the bore would be +.040". I know some engine suppliers go out to +.060", but that's out of necessity and not a generally a good idea. At the shop I worked for, we would not go any more than +.030". Maybe the Blueprint blocks have thicker cylinder walls than GM blocks.???
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Mike 1969 C10 LWB -- owned for 36 years. 350/TH350, 3.08 posi, 1st Gen Vintage Air, recent AAW wiring harness, 5-lug conversion, 1985 spindles and brakes. 1982 C10 SWB -- converted from 250-six to roller cam 350, Vortec heads -- sold 1981 C10 Silverado LWB, 305, TH350C -- sold, but wish I still had it! 1969 C10 (not the current one) that I bought in the early 1980s. Paid $1200; sold for $1500 a few years later. Just a hint at the appreciation that was coming. Retired as a factory automation products salesman. Worked part-time over the years for an engine builder and a classic car repair shop. Member here for 24 years! This is the very first car/truck Internet forum I joined. I still used a dial-up modem back then! |
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#22 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: DALLAS,TX
Posts: 22,133
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Re: Gm crate engine
Quote:
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67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol. Last edited by SCOTI; 09-26-2022 at 09:40 AM. |
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#23 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Henderson NC
Posts: 975
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Re: Gm crate engine
The GM L31 or L31-R is a good choice. With a good carb and exhaust you will have around 300 hp and close to 400 ftlbs of torque. That's with the factory cam which I run and it idles really smooth with decent gas mileage. With a simple cam and valve spring swap you can get 400 hp. The vortec heads and roller cam makes a good motor for the money that can be upgraded easily if you want to.
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#24 | |
68 C10 Longbed
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Naples, Florida
Posts: 519
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Re: Gm crate engine
Quote:
Motor runs great but the block is not new. |
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#25 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Edmonton Alberta
Posts: 1,509
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Re: Gm crate engine
Yeah, the 355s were not new: they were "seasoned" blocks. They do cast their own new 350s, now, though.
https://blueprintengines.com/product...or-bp35513ctc1
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DAVE Edmonton, Alberta 1959 Apache 1967 K20 1968 C20 1970 C10 1972 GMC 2500 1981 C10 |
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