I have pulled apart GM crate 502's with exactly a year's run time on them.. Wiped out cams, rods installed backwards, crazy valve spring shims.
Edelbrock engines arent much better, I saw the "show" engines amazingly, they dont look much like the one you would receive in the crate....go figure
Another example, Shaifroff, 434 for I think $6000 sounds like a great deal right... Maybe for a street rod, this is not a race engine as you would expect from Scott. Point is that they attract you with a low price and then to deliver they will use the cheapest parts and labor they can find.. Sounds familiar? where have I heard of this before.. oh yeah JASPER!! Stay away from general package deals all together, you will ALWAYS be more satisfied when you have something custom tailored to your needs rather than when you buy "off the rack".

I've heard a couple of stories on problems with 572s. But I have heards lots of good comments on crates in general too. You get what you pay for, I suppose.

ok so pretty much, when i get a 350, all i have to do is put the TPI on there, then change the knock sensor and the computer chip and thats it ?

well...no...technically, you can put your TPI setup from a 305 on there and have it run like that. run to its fullest potential is a different story.

in all reality you need the right size injectors, and a decent chip...and youll be happy. yes the 305 and 350 knock sensors and ESCs have different part numbers...but when you get into a modded engine there is almost no difference...

If you aren't changing the electronics (ecm, harness, etc.) why would you need to change the knock sensor? I would think injectors, tune & probably fuel pressure.

I think the knock sensor should be changed, only because the 305 and 350 blocks probably resonate at different frequencies - that .25" on each cylinder hole is a lot. Not sure if that would give false knock readings, or not. But, it's a cheap part compared to the EST module.

when i did my conversion, 305-350 parts, i was told a 350 knock sensor is needed, different part numbers as well. I didnt need to do a ESC since i went speed density. I just installed the knock sensor, custom chip, and LT1 injectors.

but when you factor in different piston materials and over boreand higher compression either knock sensor becomes just as innacurate as the other.. Stock for stock though you would be correct.

I know we did the 305-350 swap in my fathers car and if you go with a stock style 350 you NEED the 350 knock sensor to make it run correctly. Like said above though, if you go custom both will be f'ed up.

Edelbrock engines arent much better, I saw the "show" engines amazingly, they dont look much like the one you would receive in the crate....go figure

I am going to call VIC today -- i have on a number of occations played golf with that group in Fla -- he as i am talking to you will be pissed that is being said about his stuff -- if their has been some funny buzz going on in his assembly dept or he has caught it he will tell me -- to talk to the man for an afternoon all about nothing and everything you get a feel -- this is not him --yet i have not seen any of his motors come in my shop for re do but i am one small guy with a little shop in no place jersey ---- SO??????? -- will let you know -- jz

I have heard the Vic is a real stand up guy.. Great products but when you add the human element i guess thats when problems arise.

Interesting. I wonder if that is why mine seemed sensitive when I went to a350 in my 82. I just figured it was the compression.

Hey for a time one of the crews were lets say not real americans and were bringing lunch pails to work -- no one thought anything about till one broke open and almost broke the guys foot -- fillled with swapout stuff -- been fixed he said he sent at least a dozen complete new ones to people and payed labor to swap them when it was brought to his attension -- He said its a while ago and was embarrased when it happened -- jz

Yet another reason to have a engine custom built... personal accountability.

js.

How much does it usually cost for a motor with out heads, but has pulleys, to install pistons?

wayfast, there is no set cost to install pistons. there is machine work that needs to be done, balancing, hardware etc. Every engine is a little different in the amount of damage that is done, wear, previous hacking, etc... There is no way to give you a quote until the engine has been dissasembled, cleaned, checked for cracks, and measured..