Very interesting, thanks, Robert. The local guy I talked to was pricing more of a "dressed" engine, however, I looked over at Jegs and the price for the Blueprint "dressed" engine is $4495. We were also talking about a forged crank and h-beam rods. It was mostly probably just talk, because I still think I"ll jump into my first hotrod "LS". Oh, and Nate, if your wondering Steve, why would you pay someone else to build your engine? This guy does not want to just align-hone, bore and deck a block, he only wants the business if he builds complete engines. I'd rather finish building my own. Robert, I"m curious about your fuel injection. What kind of system is it? Looks like a cable pull throttle body? Also, what HP do you expect when finished? If its 260 w/carb, shouldn't it be maybe, 300 as a fuelly?
Steve, I initially bought a stock tpi unit, but then I stumbled across a hi-flo Edelbrock base & runners and also upgraded the throttle body to a BBK 52mm. Not exactly sure how much more power that will make with this combo I know it will be way more than 260hp!
The Road Less Taken If you're going to go V-8 , might as well dress it properly.... Rams Horn exhaust manifolds , vintage rocker boxes and so on , clean and paint all the brackets glossy black , blah blah blah . Then when you pop the hood , everyone says ' Ooooohhhh ' and is seriously amazed when you peel out in it later on too . On another thread someone just told me GM now sells a Hot Rod crate 350 engine ? .
Yeah, Nate, they sell HP crate engines... Summit sells GM performance ZZ5 350c.i., 400HP, 400ft.-lbs. torque engine. $6564.97 w/free shipping. Some would say that would qualify as "hot rod".
wow that is one pretty engine! Nothing like the sound of a 350 chevy. Paul, I will start up my 228 and rev it up for you to hear.
I want chrome ones but can't find any that clear the alternator battery connector and ac compressor. I'm using tpi serpentine brackets and the end of those valve covers tilted in and the only chrome ones I've seen were the center bolt type. On the last engine I just took a hammer & dimpled the areas that needed the additional clearance but decided not to this time.
Rocker Boxes Robert ; treat your self to having the correct fitting painted ones you have chromed ~ it'll make your truck one bit more yours and the Folks Who Know , will notice this little detail..... .
That's a good idea, Nate, surely somebody sells retro looking valve covers that would clear in Chrome or polished alum. The orange ones are fine also, I was just curious. My dad has a couple sets of the old "Chevrolet" stamped ones off of a 283 hanging in his garage. They even have the "built by the #1 team, Tonawanda" stickers still on them. They don't have oil fill or pcv holes, though.
