Should I go back with stock engine

[christopher jones]

I rode in a previous post that I threw a rod in my truck. I have been looking at engines online. I see that a gmc crate engine will give me my best warranty. There warranty are 3yrs 100,000 miles. They are running 2 grand for stock and 3 grand for 290 hp ,350 crate engine turn key

 

[Wumbo]

You don't need no warranty....

BluePrint Engines GM 350 C.I.D. 373 HP Base Long Block Crate Engines BP3503CT1

$2,599.00

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https://www.summitracing.com/parts/mll-bp3503ct1/overview/make/chevrolet

30 month 50k mile warranty, though

 

[75gmck25]

I strongly suggest you avoid the 350/290 hp crate engine. It looks good (290 HP), but has horrible low compression smogger heads and way too much cam for the heads and compression. Buy something like the engine shown in the last post, or even use the newer GM Vortec L31 crate instead.

The L31 crate requires an electric fuel pump and you need a Vortec intake, but will still work fine in your truck. Its base cam is stock GM and very mild, but works well for a truck. If you want more cam it will be easy to swap in a better roller cam, as long as you keep the Vortec lift limitations in mind.

By purchasing a new crate with Vortec or better heads, roller cam, and one piece RMS you will have an engine with potential for much more power. If you buy the 350/290 you will need both new heads and cam if you want to really get any decent performance for your truck.

Bruce

 

[4WDKC]

stock engines have low power and you wont be happy with what you spent just to be disappointed.

 

[DoubleDingo]

I agree, steer clear of the 290 hp engine. I bought the crate engine back in '98, for $1,600, for them to only be $2,000 now isn't bad. I wasn't disappointed. It wasn't a huge power house, but it worked well in my 3.54-geared-truck with 31.7 inch diameter tires, and I could cruise 80 mph all day long if I wanted too. 80 mph was 3,000 rpms, it didn't bat an eye cruising that speed, but if I wanted economy over breaking land speed records, I'd cruise at 2,600 rpms which was around 70 mph. The engine was reliable, didn't burn or use any oil, and took me all over the place. If you're brave you can void the warranty by getting better heads and cam, and it would be money well spent. At the end of the day, it's your money, you know your needs better than anyone here. If it were my money, I'd get the $2,000 crate engine, run it to end of the warranty to break in the lower end, then slap in a torquey cam, and vortec heads and be done with it. The vortec heads with a torquey cam is a good combination and a cheap upgrade over stock.

 

[Wumbo]

The one I recommended comes with vortec heads.

 

[christopher jones]

Thanks for the information. I want a good engine with decent gas mileage and horsepower

 

[DoubleDingo]

The one I recommended comes with vortec heads.

I don't know anything about aftermarket vortec heads, but I know GM vortec heads have different casting marks on the ends. But if that is truly a vortec engine, yeah, go with that one.

GM Vortec head casting marks

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[4WDKC]

I don't know anything about aftermarket vortec heads, but I know GM vortec heads have different casting marks on the ends. But if that is truly a vortec engine, yeah, go with that one.

GM Vortec head casting marks

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I noticed that also but figured they just used a random SBC picture to represent the engine. But if you look there are no center bolt holes for the intake manifold.

 

[DoubleDingo]

I noticed that also but figured they just used a random SBC picture to represent the engine. But if you look there are no center bolt holes for the intake manifold.

I missed that.

 

[DoubleDingo]

Thanks for the information. I want a good engine with decent gas mileage and horsepower

A vortec engine will get you there, but any engine with ample power will guzzle the fuel because you'll want to utilize that power with a heavy right foot on the skinny pedal. It takes someone with strong willpower to keep the right foot at bay when there is extra power to be had.

 

[Wumbo]

A vortec engine will get you there, but any engine with ample power will guzzle the fuel because you'll want to utilize that power with a heavy right foot on the skinny pedal. It takes someone with strong willpower to keep the right foot at bay when there is extra power to be had.

Smiles per gallon.

 

[shiftpro]

A vortec engine will get you there, but any engine with ample power will guzzle the fuel because you'll want to utilize that power with a heavy right foot on the skinny pedal. It takes someone with strong willpower to keep the right foot at bay when there is extra power to be had.

But THAT'S how you get some economy. Don't always use all the power you got... I know I know... it's kinda like not inhaling or... not jizzing inside.

 

[calredneck]

I put a L31 in my 1984 k20 it looks like they are cheaper now get a duel plane jegs intake and bolts flex plate and bolts I like the way it runs more power than the old 350 good low end power one thing you need crank sensor and bolt when I got on the road then it started blowing oil I went to Pic&pull had to look at 7 trucks to find one oil leek fixed my harmonic balancer and all my pulleys work just fine I think I had to alter one AC bracket at the intake. I engine, intake and flex plate for 2,025.00 delved

https://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS/059/0282/10002/-1
Being a two wheel drive you can take more HP

 

[Wumbo]

I put a L31 in my 1984 k20, it looks like they are cheaper now. Get a dual plane jegs intake, and bolts; flex plate, and bolts. I like the way it runs. More power than the old 350, and good low end power. One thing you will need is a crank sensor, and bolt. When I got on the road then it started blowing oil. I went to Pic&pull, had to look at 7 trucks to find one to fix my oil leak. fixed My harmonic balancer, and all my pulleys worked just fine. I think I had to alter one AC bracket at the intake. I bought the engine, intake, and flex plate for 2,025.00 delved

https://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS/059/0282/10002/-1
Being a two wheel drive you can take more HP

F