Everyone's looking for a deal. It used to be that the only way to save money on an engine was to build it yourself. But today, crate engines are so plentiful and cost effective that unless you really want to build your own engine, it makes sense to buy a crate engine. We've spent some time researching the small-block Chevy market and it's tough to beat the 350 H.O. engine for the dollar-per-horsepower potential it represents.
We liked this engine so much that we decided to bolt one up to the dyno and flog on it for a few months to see just how much streetable power we could squeeze out of this little Mouse. The operant word here is "streetable." Over the next three months, we'll run several different combinations across this engine searching for solid overall power with decent idle quality. The goal here is an engine that can make 400 hp but still be docile enough for a daily driver. So with our navigation set, let's take a look at what goes into a basic GM Performance Parts 350 H.O. engine and how much power it makes.
350 H.O.Our plan was simple-find the highest quality small-block Chevy mail-order engine that has the best power potential for the least amount of money. After searching through the GM Performance Parts catalog, it quickly became clear that the 350 H.O. engine is an excellent deal. The engine is based on a block featuring a four-bolt main, one-piece rear main seal, cast pistons, forged powdered-metal 5.7-inch rods, and a nodular cast-iron crank. With 9.1:1 compression and a set of Vortec heads, this engine has a ton of potential. The long-block also comes with a flat-tappet hydraulic cam with stamped-steel guided 1.5:1 rockers. This is a decent cam, and combined with a dual-plane intake, 600-cfm carburetor, and headers, GM Performance Parts claims the engine will make an honest 330 hp.
Looking into this a little further, we also discovered a 350 H.O. short-block for about $800 less than the long-block. But after we added up all the parts we'd have to buy to assemble the engine, the long-block deal looks very attractive at Scoggin-Dickey's price of $2,300. You would need a one-piece rear-main-seal oil pan, timing cover, gaskets, a cam, lifters, pushrods, rockers, heads, and all the other gaskets plus a few other minor items. Frankly, the price of the 350 H.O. cam, lifters, pushrods, heads, and valve covers is the price difference, making the long block a pretty good deal.
The deluxe package stacks even more parts on the long-block with an aluminum dual-plane intake, 600-cfm Holley carb, HEI distributor, water pump, damper, dipstick, chrome valve covers, oil filter, and even spark plugs. This is a ready-to-run package where all you'd have to do is hook up the accessory drive and add oil and water. The deluxe package is significantly more money at $3,485, but you also don't have to run all over town searching for all the parts to piece this engine together.
The key to this package and why it represents such a power bargain isn't really the 330hp number as much as it is the potential it promises with the Vortec heads. From previous experience, we know that this engine is capable of 390-plus horsepower with a slightly bigger cam, intake, and carburetor. Yet the basic short-block and rotating assembly remains exactly the same. This is outstanding power for the money and for very little effort.