I've got an 89 rs with no motor and i was wondering which motor i should get? I have quite a few options including a Tuned Port, Possibly a 396, a454, 355.
I'm wanting something i can use as a daily driver, I really want the 396 so i can badge it as an SS (yes im aware there was no such thing as a third gen SS, which makes it even better Imo)
How much would you pay for a 396 or 454 compared to a small block?
thanks

 

personally, i wouldnt buy a big block third gen. the spark plugs are hard enough to change already. i have seen some with a 454 stuffed in them, and it would be an entire weekend to get to them.

 

i'd buy the 355, scrap the crank, rods and pistons, hone the block, and throw a 383 kit in there. Like me lol

 

I'd buy a 350 crate. Stroke it out to a 383 if you really want to.

The Chevy 350 is one of the most common plentiful things in the universe, next to carbon and stupidity. There are cheap upgrades available for any part you could ever think of, and you can do pretty much anything with it.

 

if you want a daily driver forget about the big blocks, trust me you cant make a 454 a daily driver, not at 6-8mpg(10 if your good) and high octane, and the 396 isnt much better. going on the small block is your best bet for anything u plan to drive often, either a 355 or as said before the 383 would be my choice, with the right setup ive seen them get up to 18-20mog highway. if a DD is your true goal i would go with a tune port 383. as far as badging since there was no true SS you can throw them on regardless of the engine, personally to me when i pully up to a car the only badging i pay attention to is engine size on the front of the older ones, otherwise i dont care, hell ive taken on vettes just for giggles knowing full well ill loose[8D]

 

do something different , go out and find a 400 small block to build.

 

HAHAHA!!! Yep! When I had my '69 Charger with a 383 bb, a guy in a Viper GTS pulled up next to me at a light and said, "Nice Dodge!" So I said, "Thanks! You too!". The light turned, we looked at each other . . . and he kicked my @$$. But I can say that I raced a Viper!!!

I agree with 1983Camaro . . . you never see 400 smallblocks built up. My brother is building one for his Nova. Only problem is that they have fairly thin cylinder walls, so you have to be careful.

Though I still say that building a 350 would be your best bet.

 

Are there any L98 crate engines?

Can't find any, any crates similar?