Engine change

1357Z28

MEMBER
1984 CHEVROLET CORVETTE

Engine Mechanical problem V8 Two Wheel Drive Automatic 226000 miles

I want to know what gm create motor will fit my car for max hp and size with out changing mounts or hood?

Friday, December 18th, 2009 AT 11:32 AM

1 Reply

ERNEST CLARK

MECHANIC
1,730 POSTS

MAX horsepower will depend on the size of your wallet. Like the old saying goes, How fast do you want to go?

As far as fitments, any small block will drop right in. Hood clearance will depend on the height of the intake manifold/carburetor/air-cleaner combination you choose to use. If you have a stock hood, then clearance will be tight. "Low-profile" air-cleaners are available specifically for hood clearance issues.

You also have another option that can potentially be cheaper:
Have your original motor rebuilt for a performance application. You can have your motor bored and stroked for a displacement of 383 cu-in. Purchase a "Cylinder head/intake/carb/camshaft" combo from Edlebrock, and you'd be burning rubber up and down the block with a good 400 H.P.

But whichever route you choose to take, don't neglect the transmission, drive-shaft and rear-end/axles. Your particular model-year didn't have drive-line components that were beefed up enough to support high-horsepower applications. If you don't upgrade, then you'll run into a lot of problems.