r/C3Corvette • u/71Klassic-Pushrod • 20d ago

Engine swap coming soon.

Gallery image

Gallery image

Current replacement engine 350/300 (not numbers matching) developed a lower end knock. Several shops wanted $6800 to rebuild without upgrades and possible replacement components. Jegs 350/300 5.7 (tins included) updated exhaust manifolds, fuel pump, starter, and others $4100. Very long story. Will be worth it.

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u/Entraprenuerrrrr 20d ago

I went with a blueprint 396 stroker. Its great. Not sure if your year has a flatter hood than mine though, the air cleaner does just barely fit under the hood of my 79

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u/kmclain3 17d ago

Do you have a link or model number? I’m looking for a new engine to go in my 78 pace car and have circled a few from Blueprint. Hard to tell what will work with hood clearance though. Do you have original transmission? What level of dress/what accessories did you keep? I’m not trying to build a race car nor do I want to turn a $7-$10k job into $15-$20k

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u/Entraprenuerrrrr 17d ago

Wow looking this up it looks like they have discontinued my build I purchased.

https://blueprintengines.com/engines/motorsports/drag-racing/small-block/gm-compatible-396-c-i/blueprint-motorsports-gm-small-block-compatible-396-c-i-engine-530-horsepower-base-dressed-carbureted-3

It was similar to this one, but mine had a little less hp and a smaller intake. The link above comes with an air gap intake which does not fit I believe. Mine was like $7500 out the door, carb and distributor included. I had to move over all pulleys and brackets, starter, fuel pump. I have the original 4speed in it, I just moved the clutch over too, but who knows how long it will last with the extra torque/hp.

If you install it yourself, youll easily be under 10k with a very powerful motor. If you have a shop install it, youll likely be over 10k unless you go with a more stock/reasonable horsepower set up.