I posted a couple of days ago reagrding PAW motors and got mixed reviews. So now I am looking for Machine Shops in the sourthern half of California that anyone reccomends. I am still torn on just rebuilding the 350TBi I have in the garage that I got cheap but don't knowe anything about or trying to build it into a 383. So whats the better choice? Should I just clean up the 350 go with a new cam and intake and headers and maybe a spacer and call it done or go for the 383? This will be the motor in my 87 FJ60 sprung over with 36's. Thanks

freshen up that TBI engine and wake it up a bit. Save the pesos for a 383 when you really need it.

A stroker engine in a sprung over 60 equals more of a chance of flipping and mass carnage.

Look at making the TBI hum with decent exhaust, a K&N and maybe a roller cam. After that, run the fawker.

A rebuild can be done by almost anyone with the skills.

I know of a few shops in Gardena and LBC, but if you want to freshen the cylinders, go to napa with a machine shop

Vellio's on M.B. Blvd(I think) between Hawthorne & Inglewood

Agree... just freshen it up and beat the snot out of it. I can't see any reason to have a hi-perf/ hi dollar engine in a off roader (unless you are racing for money) One dip into deep water or a stick thru the radiator, broken belt or any of a million things can ruin a expensive motor, but, if it's a welfare motor, it's not a great loss.

Thanks for the help guys that is what I was looking for....some direction to go forward in. So it sounds like stick with the 350, how much rebuild/freshing up should I do since I have no idea of milage or use/abuse? Any adive on cams? intakes? tbi spacers? any other hp tricks or advice? thanks

Quick Q's....
1.How do the liquids look?

2. Plug Conditions?

3. How complete is the engine; ECM, original fuel tank, exhaust manifolds, yada, yada????

4.Is this a daily driver?

If all is well and you have most of the parts from original factory install, I would say new gaskets, rear main, whip a tune up on it and go for it.

If it is a runner, then dump some dimes into making it run better.

For the most bang, go with an MSD hop up kit for ignition, perhaps look into getting TBI unit cleaned and light the match.

Once you know it runs and you like what the 350 has to offer in your rig, start tweaking.

I originally put an LT-1 from a 1995 Caprice Classic into my 40 and spent a shit load of time trying to tweak the harness and such, said screw this for now, built a carbed 355 and life is good.


Good Luck.

PS. Vellios does nice work. They did some 914 trailing arms for me when I lived in Pedro.:smokin:

Have the machine shop mic the bores, cam and the crank journals they will tell you how bad it is.
More than likely they will say you need new cast pistons, rings, rod and main brgs. cam, lifters, timing chain and valve job, cylinders bored, crank turned, rods reconditioned...on and on

Or you could see if they would hone the bores for new rings polish the crank for new brgs. ck. the cam and valves. then put a new timing chain on it.

Or check the compression and if it's close just run it. I've got 190k on a 1989 tbi 350 in my DD and I wouldn't be afraid to drive across the country tomorrow.


I'd keep everything stock, those engines run great.

You can also purcahse a GM 350 crate motor from the dealer for around $1200, no core. By the time you get all the machining done and put your time into it its gonna cost at least that much. Also has a 3 year 50,000 mile warrenty.:skull:

I would stick with the 350. I am rebuilding mine, basically stock except to spacer and cam. I bought a Comp cam 206/212 425/440. Comes on around 1200rpm. Keep the heads with the smaller valve, better for torque. Dont waste you money on a manifold, there is not much diff from the stock one. Everything in mine in new, except for the rods which have been resized. Machine work included, with the cost of the orig engine, with wire harness, I will have about 2100 in it.

since you've already got a tbi engine a set of vortec heads, roller cam, and edelbrock performer intake would be quite a setup.

- jack