edelbrock crate engine (1 Viewer)

[Penjak]

i am still in the planning/prepping stages of my build. i have a 73 with an old sbc already in there. my thoughts are to make this not so much of a rock climber, just light weight stuff, when we go camping with the wife and young kids. it will see way more use in the city driving around town and even on Los Angeles freeways going to work. Living in LA, A/C is an absolute must, it will be in the triple digits the next two days out here!! Aside from all the other concerns, my question is this.... what about an edelbrock crate engine?

I may have the opportunity to get brand new crate engine direct from Edelbrock here in So Cal at a killer killer deal. If so, I wouldn't need anything more than their 350 Electronic Fuel Injected, around 330 hp, etc. Part #45060 ) I was leaning towards a vortec 5.3 swap to get the job done until this possibility popped up. I searched this forum and regular internet sites and haven't seen/found anything regarding " edelbrock crate engine swap " I know it will cost more but it would be BRAND NEW and not a junk yard motor or rebuild,, thoughts??

 

[Rock_Hugger]

I would personally get a factory engine and put it in. Not that I have anything against the Edelbrock stuff. Is the engine you are looking at an early style 350?

 

[Penjak]

Not sure about old style.. here's an internet pic

 

[ferg]

That engine is far from 'old style'. 330 hp will cause issues if you don't drive like grannie. That's way more than twice what things were designed for.

 

[Rock_Hugger]

While I'm sure that is a great engine, its tough to beat the drivability, reliability and part availability of late model factory engines using factor injection computer and accessories. You will be surprised how much that Edelbrock will cost you when all said and done having to source the rest of the stuff needed to complete it. I mean stuff like ps pump, alternator, ac comp, belts, pulleys, etc.

If your heart is set on it, go for it, it will be a fun engine. Just wouldn't be my first or second choice.

 

[Penjak]

i hadn't really considered late model factory engine probably because previous owner had already thrown in the v8 thats' there now.

I don't intend to use all the 330 hp the engine may be capable of putting out. If they had a smaller output motor i'd go that route. My heart isn't dead set on it,, it's just an idea/option we started throwing around.

It seemed like enough people were satisfied/ happy with their sbc and vortec style swaps. Icon's fj base models start off with an LS engines putting out 390 hp,, i know they put way more in everything along with that. & a bronco shop here in LA suggested maybe going with an LQ9 based engine.

So that's why i was asking about the edelbrock. I can't afford and LS, and the LQ9( similar) sounds good,, but again the lq9 (or similar) would come out of of 2009 or similar year, from a chevy truck/suburban/whatever with 70-90K miles??? Hope everything lasts and doesn't fail... or a new edelbrock crate, but only if i get great deal ( possibly 50%off retail )

 

[Penjak]

For example. I just saw a website that sell db turnkey engines. one of their current engines for sale is a 2006 5.3 L59 with 117k miles from an Avalanche. sale price is $3200.. about the same price as the edlebrock if i can get the 50 off..

 

[RAYJON]

Look arround, 5.3's are cheeper than that, last time i looked LKQ had a 4.8 complete for 900$ with less than 100k on it.. and others cheeper..

ls motors are hard to beat for $$$. They last forever and as such the wrecking yards have alot of them.. the 6.0's in our work trucks take a beating and go over 200k fully loaded and driven hard.. and now days fuel injection beats a carb any day..

 

[bikersmurf]

I'd look for a GM Crate motor first. I believe they're about $1500 USD for a 290 hp 350. They're about $1850 CAD from GM up here.

I went a different way and bought a 1972 350 with 72k miles... out of a one owner GMC fleet side. Cost $300 with TH350 Transmission. It is one of the smoothest running motors I've heard in a long time.

 

[bigtreads]

Absolutely nothing wrong with the edelbrock motors as far as quality. It’s all about price - if you can get an edelbrock with good heads, cam, and intake, for close to a gm stock motor it’s a no brainer, edelbrock all the way. And 330 at the crank is a mild motor - fine as a daily with no drama - and the drive train will be just fine unless you abuse it.

 

[reddingcruiser]

I would do the 5.3. Great fuel economy, very smooth running, newer technology, plenty of horsepower, reliable, cool factor..........

 

[pjohnson]

I'm probably going with a 4.8 from these guys:
Engines - Engine & Transmission - Products

They run test as a package before they ship. They're also local to me.

 

[Gappy]

I bought this from Summit, just north of $2k. Had it put in last year when the old girl spun a bearing. Very mild motor on HP, under 300, don't recall exact number. 650 carb. So far so good but haven't really driven it much.

 

[Penjak]

Pjohnson - do u have any experience or referral to that Pacific Fabrication shop? & are you just buying engine from them or having them do any work for you? I can probably get to Gilroy in under 4 hrs. Not 2 bad if it's worth the drive. Their prices look good. Along with the other recommended so far.

Hold on to your hats for this part of the story. My wife's bday yesterday, goes to eat with her girlfriend ( who's ex husband restored an fj40 years ago ). They aree taking over dinner, my wife tells her friend on my plans to make reliable daily driver. They come to conclusion/suggestion I should "do it right " and go new, that why am I going to risk something used/rebuilt and failing on me, or while out with whole family, etc. So much to the point, that on her birthday, she tells me she will pay for a new motor! Although she may not know how much she's agreeing to spend, she still made a good gesture in being willing to pay for some of my build,,,

I know, same old story,, " wife pays for my build " I hear the story all the time.. lol. But she's a car girl herself. She has a 68 mustang coupe and a 65 amc rambler herself. Thats part of the reason she wants me to go new. She knows classic cars are a gamble in the reliability aspect.

But back to the task at hand. I hope to get an answer on Edelbrock engine this week. After i find out my price, I can either keep that option on the board or move in different direction.

 

[Northbound]

For example. I just saw a website that sell db turnkey engines. one of their current engines for sale is a 2006 5.3 L59 with 117k miles from an Avalanche. sale price is $3200.. about the same price as the edlebrock if i can get the 50 off..

Goodness get a 5.3 with 100K on it for like $600 and it will run forever.

I've done it on my 40 and 45

 

[pjohnson]

I've been to their shop and seen some of their work. Another local cruiser shop has referred them. My plans are a ways in the future.

Depending on price, I may have have them install it.

 

[Rock40]

Or go 6.0 liter LQ4 or LQ9. They are very good motors and make more torque and horsepower comparted to the 5.3 liter, I'm in the process of prepping an LQ4 to go into my 69' right now. Since you already have a V8, it's going to be more or less "bolt in" minus the wiring of course. Either way, I wouldn't count on the factory 3 speed transmission holding up for long after you double the HP

 

[Penjak]

Original 3sp tranny going bye bye also..

 

[centerlineseal]

I went with a 350 ramjet and an h55 tranny in our 1972. We are very pleased but had some early fuel injection/tuning issues.

However, when I decided to get another FJ40 after the '72 went to my son, my wife said "No build!"

I found a '75 with a '98 350 from a Suburban mated to an NV4500. It is my daily driver.

If I had anything to do over again, I'd mate the Ramjet to the NV4500.