I joined up here to ask some questions for my friend Keith,he's not very computer literate.He bought an all original 66 Sat a few years ago,383 auto & 323 gears,I think its a posi.He wants to add some power but doesent really want to touch the original motor,and the tranny is on its last legs.He is thinking about a crate motor,and I'm not much help as I am into Chevy's.But, from what I have learnt from other forums I am on,crate motors sometimes arent all they are cracked up to be.Poor assembly and warranty's that arent worth the paper they are printed on are a couple of issues that seem to be common.And I have been trying to convince him to get an OD tranny,but I think he is intent on using the original trans.And neither one of us know if there are any OD units that will work in his car,and he wants to retain the original shifter.He wants to do this as cheaply as possible,and I dont know what his budget actually is,but he would like to have around 500 hp.Looking forward to any help here.Thanks
Guy

 

You can now get a GM 700R4 in a Mopar case.

 

Hey Guy.... Welcome to the forum and ask away!!!!!!!

 

So what are the options as far as crate motors go ?? I dont think that Keith wants to do any major modifications,he would probably want to pull the old one and replace it as easily as possible.
Guy

 

i can tell your a chevy guy calling the rear end a "posi" i dont know much about crate engines id rather build one then have one built, i know exactly what is in there and if it fails im the only one to blame.
why not buy another engine and build it will the 383 is in the car?
tranny im not sure if you can get a OD for BB cheap, the ones that they use in todays cars will fit SB

 

Yea,I did that to a Ford guy once,looking for a posi for my 9 inch.He was real quick to point out it was a "Limited Slip",not a posi,LOL,(probably added $ 50 to the price).I would rather build an engine also,I have read articles on building strokers from 440 blocks and making good power,but Keith is a long haul truck driver and wants to go with the easiest option,and doesent want to spend much over $ 5000.He wants to stick with a big block too.
Guy

 

Does anyone have any info on crate motors,preferably big block ???
Guy

 

Here's a place to start.

http://www.mopartsracing.com/parts/blocks.html

 

Thanks.
Guy