Engine opinion

[Dr. Teeth]

So I've been thinking about the motor I want ot put in my 67 Nova once I get the new shop built and have 2 to choose from.

First, I have a 4-bot main 355 chevy I built a few yrs back, installed it in a car and put about 100 miles on it, thenpulled it, and sold the car. It's a mild build, cast pistons, new iron heads but they're 76cc giving me about an 8.5:1 CR and a little lacking on power. It has a Performer manifold and a matching cam. Works ok, but a little lackluster, so basically it needs new heads at least and a little freshening.

The second motor is a lightly used LT1 from a 96 Firehawk. Looks in nice shape, needs freshening and most likely a conversion manifold to carb and regular distributor, all of which I already own. I have all of the EFI manifold stuff but not the computer and wiring.

I'm thinking of switching the LT1 to a carb'd manifold in lieu of putting new more expensive heads on the former motor.

Just wondering what opinions are. This car is for my wife and will be a cruiser, not a speedster. It's huge inside and will fit my family better than my TA which will be my 'badass' car once it's done. With either motor I have a slew of TH-350 and 400's that I could put in there, but I was thinking of getting a 200-4R instead. Anyway that's my thoughts. What are yours?

 

[MentalMisfit]

sell em both and get a nice LS1 for it?

 

[Dr. Teeth]

sell em both and get a nice LS1 for it?

Well I fear that what I have isn't worth 2% of what an LS1 build will cost.

 

[BigWheelinBubba]

EFi LT1 with a 4L60E. Efi for the reliability and OD so she can drive it anywhere and get decent gas mileage. Do it!

 

[dave89iroc]

EFi LT1 with a 4L60E. Efi for the reliability and OD so she can drive it anywhere and get decent gas mileage. Do it!

x2

 

[Dr. Teeth]

x2

So you think I should get a computer and wiring harness and roll with what I have, eh?

 

[Hugger Z]

I would agree on the newer motor with fuel injection. It would be more reliable for her to use daily. I am still trying to get my dad to convert on all of his project cars. We'll see. I am slowly wearing him down. One of these cars will end up with a LS motor.

 

[Birdie2000]

EFi LT1 with a 4L60E. Efi for the reliability and OD so she can drive it anywhere and get decent gas mileage. Do it!

x3!

 

[BigWheelinBubba]

Maybe even a single turbo to sweeten it up some!

 

[Dr. Teeth]

Maybe even a single turbo to sweeten it up some!

Yeah, then I can tub it, put huge slicks, delete the interior, add a cage and parachute with a 572 and a 'glide and a 500 shot of nitrous.

note where I said "cruiser..."

 

[BigWheelinBubba]

Ask Leo.. he drives his turbo car.

 

[Sean]

So I've been thinking about the motor I want ot put in my 67 Nova once I get the new shop built and have 2 to choose from.

First, I have a 4-bot main 355 chevy I built a few yrs back, installed it in a car and put about 100 miles on it, thenpulled it, and sold the car. It's a mild build, cast pistons, new iron heads but they're 76cc giving me about an 8.5:1 CR and a little lacking on power. It has a Performer manifold and a matching cam. Works ok, but a little lackluster, so basically it needs new heads at least and a little freshening.

The second motor is a lightly used LT1 from a 96 Firehawk. Looks in nice shape, needs freshening and most likely a conversion manifold to carb and regular distributor, all of which I already own. I have all of the EFI manifold stuff but not the computer and wiring.

I'm thinking of switching the LT1 to a carb'd manifold in lieu of putting new more expensive heads on the former motor.

Just wondering what opinions are. This car is for my wife and will be a cruiser, not a speedster. It's huge inside and will fit my family better than my TA which will be my 'badass' car once it's done. With either motor I have a slew of TH-350 and 400's that I could put in there, but I was thinking of getting a 200-4R instead. Anyway that's my thoughts. What are yours?

what transmission came in the car originally ? glide ? For a nice driveable car I would throw a bone stock lt1 in it "since you already have it" and get a harness. I wouldn;t go with a 4l60 or 700r4 though. You just don't need that steep of a first gear with such a light car. a 2004r would most likely be a near bolt in it would also be easier on the stock rear end with the much shallower first gear.

the FGR of the 700r4 is like 3:1 and the 2004r is 2.40 or so. Lots easier on the rear.

speaking of which. Do you still have the stock rear in the car ? If so with pretty much any v8 it might need upgrading.

 

[Dr. Teeth]

what transmission came in the car originally ? glide ? For a nice driveable car I would throw a bone stock lt1 in it "since you already have it" and get a harness. I wouldn;t go with a 4l60 or 700r4 though. You just don't need that steep of a first gear with such a light car. a 2004r would most likely be a near bolt in it would also be easier on the stock rear end with the much shallower first gear.

the FGR of the 700r4 is like 3:1 and the 2004r is 2.40 or so. Lots easier on the rear.

speaking of which. Do you still have the stock rear in the car ? If so with pretty much any v8 it might need upgrading.

I have the stock 10 bolt in there but took it to DTS a number of yrs ago and had them rebuild it with an Auburn Pro LSD and 3.73 gears, new innards and new axles. It's done as far as I am concerned. The original trans was a PG, and as I said I have a few 350 and 400's lying about I can pop in there. I was just thinking of upgrading to an OD trans, hence the 2004r idea. Again, this is going to be a cruiser for the wife, so not a speed machine, maybe just a light driver and a parade mobile.

 

[Sean]

I have the stock 10 bolt in there but took it to DTS a number of yrs ago and had them rebuild it with an Auburn Pro LSD and 3.73 gears, new innards and new axles. It's done as far as I am concerned. The original trans was a PG, and as I said I have a few 350 and 400's lying about I can pop in there. I was just thinking of upgrading to an OD trans, hence the 2004r idea. Again, this is going to be a cruiser for the wife, so not a speed machine, maybe just a light driver and a parade mobile.

2004r is the easiet trans to put in as far as overdrives go. It is a 100% bolt in swap in place of a th350.

If it was my car and my wife was driving it. bone stock EFI Lt1 or LS! would be my top choices or put a TPI intake on your 350 and put a computer on it and tune it to the engine. I have a TPI intake "complete" if you want to go that way.Lots of low end grunt. Would be a perfect fit for the 2004r with a very mild 350v8.

I might even have a TPI harness laying around. They are actually stone simple to build. I know I have a few ECM's. I'll look around and see what I have. a good harness is going to cost about $600 or so from most harness builders.

 

[Dr. Teeth]

2004r is the easiet trans to put in as far as overdrives go. It is a 100% bolt in swap in place of a th350.

If it was my car and my wife was driving it. bone stock EFI Lt1 or LS! would be my top choices or put a TPI intake on your 350 and put a computer on it and tune it to the engine. I have a TPI intake "complete" if you want to go that way.Lots of low end grunt. Would be a perfect fit for the 2004r with a very mild 350v8.

I might even have a TPI harness laying around. They are actually stone simple to build. I know I have a few ECM's. I'll look around and see what I have. a good harness is going to cost about $600 or so from most harness builders.

Would the TPI intake work on the LT1? The problem with the non-LT1 engine is the CR is too low, and I don't want to dump a shitload of money into heads when I have a whole LT1 setup minus computer and harness. For the LT1 I have intake, 2 TB's, 2 fuel rails with injectors, etc, just no computer or harness. The extra computer I gave you was for a manual, not sure if that would work or not. IF so, then I'd just be looking at a harness setup which is cheap on ebay, comparatively.

 

[Sean]

Would the TPI intake work on the LT1? The problem with the non-LT1 engine is the CR is too low, and I don't want to dump a shitload of money into heads when I have a whole LT1 setup minus computer and harness. For the LT1 I have intake, 2 TB's, 2 fuel rails with injectors, etc, just no computer or harness. The extra computer I gave you was for a manual, not sure if that would work or not. IF so, then I'd just be looking at a harness setup which is cheap on ebay, comparatively.

Yeah I only need 1 ecm for your car. the auto and stick ECM's are the same. the only difference being programming. Same code different setup bits are checked and unchecked for stick vs auto.

TPI intake would physically fit on a lt1 engine but not bolt up, bolt holes are very very different.. the CR is fine for a TPI on the other engine. The runners are small and long and produce a pronounced and strong torque curve from roughly 1800-4500 rpm. Almost a prefect bell curve. Great intake for a dialy driver. Lots of low end grunt. Also the TPI system is the LEAST complicated to make run and the TB already has the proper provisions for a 2004r trans cable arrangement.

However a stock lt1 is a good running easy to setup deal as well. if you decided to go lt1 the 4l60e would make the car a very easy to setup type of application.

If you have some free time give me a ring later.

 

[beertestr]

I have some LT1 harnesses laying around if that helps sway the vote. At least one F-body, a couple B-body. I have a some OBD1 controllers as well. Wiring them is easy, and the motor is bolt in if you delete the AC or space out the accessories.

I also have a forged 350 LT1 I built last summer. 200 miles on it... if you ever get the hankering for boost, she's ready to go ..

If there is any other misc LT1 stuff you need, I probably have it. I have all kinds of stuff bumping around...

I am all about LSx, but it's hard to justify the cost if your performance goals can be met with a stock-ish 300 HP LT1..

 

[Dr. Teeth]

I have some LT1 harnesses laying around if that helps sway the vote. At least one F-body, a couple B-body. I have a some OBD1 controllers as well. Wiring them is easy, and the motor is bolt in if you delete the AC or space out the accessories.

I also have a forged 350 LT1 I built last summer. 200 miles on it... if you ever get the hankering for boost, she's ready to go ..

If there is any other misc LT1 stuff you need, I probably have it. I have all kinds of stuff bumping around...

I am all about LSx, but it's hard to justify the cost if your performance goals can be met with a stock-ish 300 HP LT1..

Hey thanks. I'll probably get with you about that harness. I think that's all I need to get her going. I have the brackets for the accessory drive, and will probably put an aftermarket AC setup in there. I also need to get a power steering bracket/pump as well, unless that bolts to the huge aluminum one I have....?

 

[dave89iroc]

Hey thanks. I'll probably get with you about that harness. I think that's all I need to get her going. I have the brackets for the accessory drive, and will probably put an aftermarket AC setup in there. I also need to get a power steering bracket/pump as well, unless that bolts to the huge aluminum one I have....?

you have the f-body alt/ a/c bracket? if yes, p/s pump bolts to that same bracket

 

[Dr. Teeth]

you have the f-body alt/ a/c bracket? if yes, p/s pump bolts to that same bracket

I think so. I haven't looked at it in a while, but it's cast aluminum and it's one of the largest brackets I've ever seen. I bought it about 3 yrs ago and still haven't gotten to the project. Someday.