new moter for my 1989

[captbane]

Hi everyone, Ive a quick question, my 89 coupe is comming up on the 90k mark and although I have no complaints on how it runs, and it runs strong.I Was wondering what my options where when it comes time to replace it. Ive got a 2002 harley softail (which hardley hasnt hit the road once i started driveing the vette) which im going to sell,so i have some cash to throw at this project! Should I look for a zr-1 engine?, buy something worked in the crate,or get a crate stock moter and supercharge/turbo it? I realize that if money wasnt an object there would be no problem, but lets say I use 10k or so from the bike sale,what do you think i should do? Thanks all! Capt Bane..aka..Doug Castner,New Palz,NY. PS. Its an automatic transmission,but im not tied to that if need be.

[c4cruiser]

I would suggest looking at some of the GM crate motors. The nice thing about them is they are assembled properly, come with a GM warranty and are competitively priced. Also with a crate motor, you don't have to pull the old motor apart, figure out what part to get, haul it to the rebuilder, haul it home and stuff it back in.

A ZR-1 (LT5) motor would be a major job to do. A used LT5 will eat up your budget with that one piece. Then you have electronics, exhaust, cooling and all the other things to make it work.

Look at the GM 383 cubic inch motors. More torque and HP and they slip right in. Also get an aftermarket manifold like a Superram or Miniram. Add a set of Hooker 2159 headers and high-flow exhaust, and a 52mm throttle body and open up the airbox and you should have a very hot performing car. If you are keeping the auto, a higher stall TC, a good rebuild and swap the rear gears with a set of 3.54 or even 3.73 and you will have something that will pull 11-second e.t.'s!

[LiteSleeper]

I agree. That new GM Perf. Parts ZZ383/425 H.P. looks good. You can get it from Scoggin-Dickey for $4725.00

[Moonunit 451]

Originally Posted by captbane

Hi everyone, Ive a quick question, my 89 coupe is comming up on the 90k mark and although I have no complaints on how it runs, and it runs strong.I Was wondering what my options where when it comes time to replace it. Ive got a 2002 harley softail (which hardley hasnt hit the road once i started driveing the vette) which im going to sell,so i have some cash to throw at this project! Should I look for a zr-1 engine?, buy something worked in the crate,or get a crate stock moter and supercharge/turbo it? I realize that if money wasnt an object there would be no problem, but lets say I use 10k or so from the bike sale,what do you think i should do? Thanks all! Capt Bane..aka..Doug Castner,New Palz,NY. PS. Its an automatic transmission,but im not tied to that if need be.

10K is a Lot of money, and you can do a lot with it. That's around what I've spent in the last year on my car. You've got a better platform and you could do better than me. But I wonder, with that much bank if you wouldn't just be better off to sell your car and buy a newer one. I've seen some KILLER setup later model vettes going for 15-17K recently. If I'd have ever known I was going to end up that deep in mine I'd have spent it right up front.

But I DO LOVE MY BABY and I'm real happy now. Oh yea, I did it on the cheap too, but it took a long time. Don't forget you're gonna need a D44 setup if you boost it

[Edmond]

Originally Posted by LiteSleeper

I agree. That new GM Perf. Parts ZZ383/425 H.P. looks good. You can get it from Scoggin-Dickey for $4725.00

Oh yeah, I second the 383. That thing is a torque monster!

Have you considered building the motor yourself?