Hey everyone, i have a 1981 z28, its been sitting for around 12 years. I'm looking to get it back up and running but im kind of thinking of getting a new engine for it. I currently have a 350 in it, but if thinking of getting a newer and if possible lighter engine without losing any power. Does anyone have any suggestions that would be along those lines? And also i haven't had a chance to give it a try yet, but is it possible to pull the tranny and engine out together in one go with a cherry picker, or is it only possible to do that if i drop it out the bottom?

 

if you have allot of cash go all aluminum?

 

i cant say i have alot of money to go on it haha, but its a work i progress so depending on how much i would run me i could delay the engine a little longer.

 

im not sure what it will cost but i imagine it will cost allot. personally i say rebuild or buy a second hand engine. Or just get a crate motor?

 

If you want to save weight, and have the skills to do a engine swap that's not a simple boltin, then I'd go LS1 aluminum motor. Lots of stock HP and then bolt on a late model tranny to go with it.
But you're still talking pretty big dollars for a good used engine. Cheaper to start with a good solid 350 crate engine with aluminum heads and intake if you want HP, weight savings, and keep a budget.

 

you can pull the motor and tranny at once from above if you pull the nose.