need an opinion, engine guys come on in
 

ok my plan with the formula is to build something thats gonna be good for the street, not going to see too much strip time, not gonna see more than 400 HP, just something thats better than stock. so my plan is to find a L98 block and heads if possible to make a seamless transaction there. i am going to keep the TPI for a factory appearing engine, and stuff the block with this: http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ESP-B13405L00068/

whats everyones opinion on this kit. is the right one? i can't remember if the L98 is a 2 or 1 piece rear main? would like to have one that is. haven't figured out a camshaft yet but not looking for anything huge. something that is gonna be tunable in the TPI prom and be very streetable for possible daily use, maybe even pass emissions? opinions on that welcome as well because i really don't know what to go with as far as a cam goes

Personally I would not gamble on an Eagle cast crankshaft.

For that power level won't stock gm parts be fine?

im looking to go up in size with out breaking the bank, the motor i am looking at picking up is going to need a new crank anyway. and i can modify the stock L98 heads and use a good streetable cam and hopefully build the whole thing for under 1500

get the crank turned or find a used one that good enough to have it done and throw some rods/pistons in it

if your keeping the TPI you wont ever be able to rev it very high anyway, so a stock SBC bottom end would be fine. unless you go with a stealth ram or mini ram. You might have to have the block honed or line bored so keep that in mind, its not cheap. Its better to start with a running motor with good compression even if you have to pay a lot for it. A stock small block with decent compression and vortec iron heads machined for a big cam can make close to 400 hp i believe. But you would have to run a carb (or a stealth ram again, i believe they make a vortec base for it now) to get the airflow

buy my 400, put a smaller camshaft in it change valve springs and skip the tpi :)

You can use the tpi with a 400, if you reuse the heads or have a pre87 style tpi

I am going to keep the tpi. Not looking to make boat loads of power. Just streetable, maybe enough to take on a stock ls car without breaking the bank...ls swap = breaking the bank

Nitrous!! Its cheap and easy to reach that goal!! Also a used supercharger setup would be a good choice as well..

look up some crate engine on summit.... eventually im guna go with a 355 or 383, and a warranty

Too much money

Eagle cast crank and hyper pistons are junk. Go rebuild the stock bottom and put the money you save towards a better heads/cam package.

Honestly op. Get a summit/jets gmpp replacement motor for 1500 and put a mild camshaft in it and be done. Budget friendly, decent power and reliable. I wish I did this..TPI sucks, besides I have vortec's and I'm not sure if they make an affordable intake for tpi and those heads..

Stealth ram....

I wouldn't put a new crank/pistons in a block without taking it to a machine shop, and this will take you out of your budget quick.

I would go with a cheap 2 bolt 350 short block and leave the stock crank/pistons in it. Get vortec heads or port heads to flow similar, go with an LT1 or LT4 cam, keep the TPI, and get a cheap tune. You'll have a reliable 300 HP for less than $1000

http://www.tbichips.com/bluewhale.htm

I came across this build which is very simple. I was pretty impressed with it, especially since it's a TBI truck

II forgot to mention I have hook with a retired builder that has his machine shop at his house....so machine work isn't that big of an issue if need be....I just don't want to pay to bore it

Sell car, buy 350 3rd Gen with forumla money + 1000 and you have yourself a hopefully trouble free street car..

Fast, cheap, reliable. You can have 2 of the 3.....

I really don't see how you are going to get this done reliably on a $1500 budget unless you find a really good deal on a running 350 that already has good enough heads in the bolt pattern that you need for your TPI intake. You certainly aren't going to have an almost 400hp car with a stock TPI + mild cam. However if you are looking for a car with street performance comparable to a stock LS1 car, then you should be in good shape - the TPI setup will help you make plenty of torque down low, right where you need it for a street car.

91-92 Formula 350s don't come cheap in decent shape, and even so, he'd still be sitting at only 245hp/345tq.

- Justin

Justin that is spot on...I want it to be a street car comparable to a stock ls1. Formula 350'S are hard to find for cheap in general. And I did try selling the car for a while. Didn't work out at all. If I could trade it for a 350 bird wheather it by a t/a or eta or formula I would but no one going to trade down

For $1500 bucks, it can be done, but you are gunna have to look real hard for some parts if you want to make about 350-400hp at the crank ie "like an LS1".
A good set of heads, find a good deal on a cam, purchase some valvetrain stuff, and start working hard on massaging the TPI stuff. Don't forget that you will need a tune, and if there is any cash left, you might want to get a torque converter.

Maybe this is out of the question......but why not buy a used 5.3L LS motor? That motor would meet all of your criteria except for stock appearing. if you pick up enough second hand parts you could totally convert it for under $1500

$750 for an intake isn't an affordable solution especially for the average third gen owner.

Unless you find an amazing deal on a top end I don't see this coming budget working. Seriously just buy a remanufactured gm motor and attach your tip stuffs to it and when you have more money swap in a jets/summit camshaft, you'll get the lope you want and pick up a few ponies.

What suspension components do you have?

Not for $1500. After adapters, trans, harness, PCM, hoses, rewiring, etc etc...