Which engine for IHRA crate motor stock

Everett Vassar · 12-07-2009, 01:08 PM

We have a 82 Malibu wagon. Are all the accepted crate engines G.M. performance parts?Can we just use any of the 6 they list?

Chevrolet

350 / 300 @ 305
350 / 330 @ 340
350 / 345 @ 355 @ 360 dish version
350 / 345 @ 355 @ 365 flat top version
350 / 355 @ 375
350 / 385 @ 395

Larry Hill · 12-07-2009, 01:44 PM

Just build it like you want, any cubic inch, cam, head, carb, or trans, there is a CLASS that it will fit.

Chris1529 · 12-07-2009, 01:54 PM

He wasn't asking about a mopar Larry.

Everett,

I would figure out what class each combo fits and how fast you want to go....then make your decision. You can use any of those engines you want. They are/were all GM Per Parts to my knowledge.

Dragsinger · 12-07-2009, 01:59 PM

Everett,

any of the engines you have listed are legal to run in your wagon.

Also, the crate motor does not have to be bought as such [although that was the original intention, it did not evolve that way] So long as you have the correct parts, it is considered a "Crate Motor"

The 330/340 Vortec head combination may be the best performance for dollar spent. You can go very fast with that build up.

John Beasaw III · 12-07-2009, 02:15 PM

Ive run both the 350 /330@340 and the fast burn 350 /385@395. Ive sold my crate motor and in the process of building a conventional combo. The crate motors are great, but limit the races. IHRA vs. IHRA and NHRA.

John Beasaw III
'70 Chevelle
"My Kid$ Tuition"

Dragsinger · 12-07-2009, 02:51 PM

what John said is true, and especially in Division four. The IHRA races in Division four that contest class racing are mighty slim.

In fact, even NHRA class racing dates for Division four are at an all time low.

Sometimes it saddens me that Division four, once a hot bed of drag racing, is now struggling to hold class racing of any sanction.

No question, it is a strong sign of the times. Changes are coming out of necessity, I hope our sport can adjust and change for the better.

Everett Vassar · 12-07-2009, 03:59 PM

The 350/330 Vortec is $3,889.00 from Scoggin-Dickey.The little 355 in the wagon runs great,But has about 10yrs on it! So we thought if its going to get a new one anyway----
But If there are just not that many races to run with it Might make more sense to just keep running the brackets.
So if we install this right out of the crate with a 750 Holley T-350 or metric tranny, at legal weight can we qualify?---Or does the motor have to be "worked" like in the NHRA classes.

Dragsinger · 12-07-2009, 04:27 PM

Everett,

good question, but my initial thought is it will not be fast enough to qualify. I "estimate" a stock crate motor would be at least 100 horses down from a competitive race engine.

And you are correct that in order to be at least in the middle of a qualified field the engine needs to be full done race engine just like an NHRA Stocker.

In my opinion, the store bought engine is poor value because most of the parts would not be used to build a full done engine.

X-TECH MAN · 12-07-2009, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Everett Vassar

The 350/330 Vortec is $3,889.00 from Scoggin-Dickey.The little 355 in the wagon runs great,But has about 10yrs on it! So we thought if its going to get a new one anyway----
But If there are just not that many races to run with it Might make more sense to just keep running the brackets.
So if we install this right out of the crate with a 750 Holley T-350 or metric tranny, at legal weight can we qualify?---Or does the motor have to be "worked" like in the NHRA classes.

IHRA runs an ALL RUN FIELD so qualifying isnt an issue. Being FAST is as most are shall we say "Enhanced" like the NHRA cars.

Michael Beard · 12-07-2009, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dragsinger

And you are correct that in order to be at least in the middle of a qualified field the engine needs to be full done race engine just like an NHRA Stocker.

In my opinion, the store bought engine is poor value because most of the parts would not be used to build a full done engine.

What CrateFin said!

I don't think an out-of-the crate engine would be an index-runner these days, and you really don't want the stock rods in it. Bang for the buck, Tim Sloan has his new Vortec for sale... runs -1.35 under easily. He was #2 qualifier at the IHRA World Finals. Always cheaper to buy than build. It has very few runs on it, as he built it to sell it. I made one pass in the Camaro that he has the engine in currently... it's a BAAAD unit! PM me if you'd like his #.

12-07-2009, 01:08 PM	#1
Everett Vassar Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Kennedale,Tx Posts: 227 Likes: 0 Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Which engine for IHRA crate motor stock We have a 82 Malibu wagon. Are all the accepted crate engines G.M. performance parts?Can we just use any of the 6 they list? Chevrolet 350 / 300 @ 305 350 / 330 @ 340 350 / 345 @ 355 @ 360 dish version 350 / 345 @ 355 @ 365 flat top version 350 / 355 @ 375 350 / 385 @ 395

12-07-2009, 01:54 PM	#3
Chris1529 VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: West Virginia Posts: 1,366 Likes: 6 Liked 70 Times in 29 Posts	Re: Which engine for IHRA crate motor stock He wasn't asking about a mopar Larry. Everett, I would figure out what class each combo fits and how fast you want to go....then make your decision. You can use any of those engines you want. They are/were all GM Per Parts to my knowledge. __________________ Chris Bowman The Mountain State Mustang 1984 Mustang GT350

12-07-2009, 01:59 PM	#4
Dragsinger VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Liberty City [East Texas] Posts: 1,760 Likes: 5 Liked 99 Times in 60 Posts	Re: Which engine for IHRA crate motor stock Everett, any of the engines you have listed are legal to run in your wagon. Also, the crate motor does not have to be bought as such [although that was the original intention, it did not evolve that way] So long as you have the correct parts, it is considered a "Crate Motor" The 330/340 Vortec head combination may be the best performance for dollar spent. You can go very fast with that build up. __________________ Larry Woodfin 471W

12-07-2009, 02:15 PM	#5
John Beasaw III Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Marion, N.Y. Posts: 126 Likes: 0 Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Which engine for IHRA crate motor stock Ive run both the 350 /330@340 and the fast burn 350 /385@395. Ive sold my crate motor and in the process of building a conventional combo. The crate motors are great, but limit the races. IHRA vs. IHRA and NHRA. John Beasaw III '70 Chevelle "My Kid$ Tuition"

12-07-2009, 02:51 PM	#6
Dragsinger VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Liberty City [East Texas] Posts: 1,760 Likes: 5 Liked 99 Times in 60 Posts	Re: Which engine for IHRA crate motor stock what John said is true, and especially in Division four. The IHRA races in Division four that contest class racing are mighty slim. In fact, even NHRA class racing dates for Division four are at an all time low. Sometimes it saddens me that Division four, once a hot bed of drag racing, is now struggling to hold class racing of any sanction. No question, it is a strong sign of the times. Changes are coming out of necessity, I hope our sport can adjust and change for the better. __________________ Larry Woodfin 471W

12-07-2009, 01:44 PM	#2
Larry Hill Live Reporter Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Hickory, Ky Posts: 10,629 Likes: 1,922 Liked 10,681 Times in 2,222 Posts	Re: Which engine for IHRA crate motor stock Just build it like you want, any cubic inch, cam, head, carb, or trans, there is a CLASS that it will fit. __________________ IHM Used Parts https://ihmusedparts.com 888-821-1817

12-07-2009, 03:59 PM	#7
Everett Vassar Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Kennedale,Tx Posts: 227 Likes: 0 Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Which engine for IHRA crate motor stock The 350/330 Vortec is $3,889.00 from Scoggin-Dickey.The little 355 in the wagon runs great,But has about 10yrs on it! So we thought if its going to get a new one anyway---- But If there are just not that many races to run with it Might make more sense to just keep running the brackets. So if we install this right out of the crate with a 750 Holley T-350 or metric tranny, at legal weight can we qualify?---Or does the motor have to be "worked" like in the NHRA classes.

12-07-2009, 04:27 PM	#8
Dragsinger VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Liberty City [East Texas] Posts: 1,760 Likes: 5 Liked 99 Times in 60 Posts	Re: Which engine for IHRA crate motor stock Everett, good question, but my initial thought is it will not be fast enough to qualify. I "estimate" a stock crate motor would be at least 100 horses down from a competitive race engine. And you are correct that in order to be at least in the middle of a qualified field the engine needs to be full done race engine just like an NHRA Stocker. In my opinion, the store bought engine is poor value because most of the parts would not be used to build a full done engine. __________________ Larry Woodfin 471W