my motor has 200k on it, runs and drives OK, but starting to smoke a little and burning a little oil. I am starting to think about a replacement motor. I don't even know where to begin as I have never bought one before.

I want a motor that will run another 200k miles, not cost a fortune, and give me a little better performance than stock.

91 suburban, 350, 700r4, 1500 4x4

It's a SBC. Find a local company and buy one with a warranty.

I bought a 350HO. It's going in this weekend. If I did it over again, I would just ebay one for half the cost.

I would personally build one. IMO it can have more ponies for cheaper then you can buy.

I bought a 350HO. It's going in this weekend. If I did it over again, I would just ebay one for half the cost.

that is crazy ebay thir is a reason it is half the cost. i have heard some bad stories about ebay builders

ive heard a bunch of horror stories about dumbass installers.

anyone can build an engine. if the guy installing it has his head up his ass, its a waste of time to build it.

but, hey, anyone can put a motor in, right? probably even the Geico Lizard.

This is what is really screwy here. You'll go out and buy some crate motor that a guy promises you will run better, and have 5 zillion horsepower. Then you'll be on the board here wondering why the fawker doesn't run right. Go to the Scoggins Dickey website and buy the GM replacement for your application that will work with your ecm and not cause problems. Any other crate engine will operate worse, and you fight it until you re-map your chip.
http://www.sdpc2000.com/details/gm-goodwrench-replacement-engines/12568758

gm performance parts ht383

This is what is really screwy here. You'll go out and buy some crate motor that a guy promises you will run better, and have 5 zillion horsepower. Then you'll be on the board here wondering why the fawker doesn't run right. Go to the Scoggins Dickey website and buy the GM replacement for your application that will work with your ecm and not cause problems. Any other crate engine will operate worse, and you fight it until you re-map your chip.
http://www.sdpc2000.com/details/gm-goodwrench-replacement-engines/12568758

I think this is the most logical and reasonable approach. Part of me says "but I want some extra power", but then I think about it and all I really need is a good rock solid reliable motor with enough power to do what I need, and while I wish the stock motor was a little stouter, id does what I need.

I would personally build one. IMO it can have more ponies for cheaper then you can buy.

x2, before you just go buy a motor, have you compared price options to rebuilding your current motor? especially if you want a little more performance. go .030 over with yours and a nice 3 angle valvejob. put a set of headers on it while its out and call it a day.

You could try

http://www.crateenginedepot.com/

x2, before you just go buy a motor, have you compared price options to rebuilding your current motor? especially if you want a little more performance. go .030 over with yours and a nice 3 angle valvejob. put a set of headers on it while its out and call it a day.

I have tossed the idea around but I have never reduilt one, and dont have anyone that lives near me that would be willing to guide me. Not to mention that would be yet another project (you know). I hav enot entirely tossed the idea out, especially since I have an 87 suburban as a parts donor so I have a more or less identical motor sitting right there I would just have to tear out and rebuild while still driving the current one.

Jasper engines. They come with a good warranty, build kit and chip that is calibrated for the engine.

I just bought their 383 for my Suburban. 325hp 415 ft.lbs torque. They offer build sheets for each of their advertised engines on their site.

They have several TBI engine options available along with other types of fuel delivery types too.

jasperengines.com

Jasper engines. They come with a good warranty, build kit and chip that is calibrated for the engine.

I just bought their 383 for my Suburban. 325hp 415 ft.lbs torque. They offer build sheets for each of their advertised engines on their site.

They have several TBI engine options available along with other types of fuel delivery types too.

jasperengines.com

No offense , but fuck Jasper. Ive seen the build sheet on 3 engines that said .030 and had to pull the head/heads on all three for various reasons over the course of 5 years(fleet trucks) to find they all were .060 . The company that owned the fleet specified they didnt want anything above .030.
On top of that I had to do head gaskets on a 6.5 built by Jasper and found they had put the #2 piston on the rod up side down and said fuck it and put it in. If thats the kind of quality I am to expect from Jasper then they can fawk themselves.


My advice , buy a book on rebuilding SBC's . Build your own. Bump up to flat tops and go back with the stock cam. Headers if you want to. That will bump your power a little and still run right for TBI. Can be done a fuck of alot cheaper that a crate engine

gm performance 383 htz very nice

Yep, rebuild yourself. Add a set of Vortec heads (I believe there is an intake made now that will accept the Vortec heads with the older FI systems) and some headers with a nice free flowing exhaust (2-1/2" out of each header into a single 3". Then, for even more power, think about going with a little lower gear ratio in the axles. You'll think you put a stock 454 in your Burb with those upgrades.

You all made me feel a bit better about my purchase.

Here's my take on this: Either buy a GM stock replacement engine and be happy with the stock HP, or if you really want more power without spending a fortune get a low mile 6.0 with the harness and PCM and drop the whole shebang in your truck.

My roommate did the "bit more power" TBI thing and swapped in the 330HP 350HO crate engine, BB throttle body and had a custom PROM burned. It runs fine, but he has said on multiple occasions that for the effort and cost involved to get the TBI to support the higher HP engine he should have just stuck a 6.0 in there instead. Maybe he will chime in with his thoughts...