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350 chev crate motor ID

5K views 23 replies 6 participants last post by  Monzilla 
#1 ·
Hi All
I have a 350 SBC crate engine with the following LH front block stamping

CC8 215 does anybody know the year and spec of this engine

Cheers
 
#11 ·
The EFI doesn't look like the RamJet 350 setup? Any brand name on the EFI setup? Where Joker is saying on bellhousing, should also be a size: 5.0L (= 305") or 5.7L (= 350")

How about a replacement long intake runner TPI 350 (225 - 250 HP):



That's the Corvette version with aluminum heads, the Camaro/Firebird version has iron heads and won't have the cast magnesium valve covers, just plain stamped steel ones...

There's also the short intake runners EFI LT1 version (300 - 345 HP) with distributor on front of water pump (or on rear later):



And the current medium runner LSx engines (350 - 650 HP):



Any of these look like yours?
 
#6 ·
The 350 HO crate motor used to be marketed as a 300 HP motor.Since upgrading the heads to L31/Vortec heads, it is now rated at 330 HP.The previous version, IIRC, was equipped with #217 casting heads.If you could pull a valvecover & get the head casting #, it may give you a better idea of what you have.Also, on the block driver side, just behind the head & just in frontof the bbells, there should also be the blocks casting#.You may need a mirror & flashlight to be able to see it.
 
#13 · (Edited)
OK, the TPI 350"... they were rated about 215 - 250 netHP... grossHP about 290 - 325 over the years 1985 - 1992... they vary in cam spec.s and compression ratios over the years and because of varying emissions laws requirements... netHP ratings also varied depending on whether 1 or 2 catalytic converters used... They got roller lifter camshafts starting January 1987 (Maybe a year earlier in Corvette version and test units)

The EFI system changed from MAF to MAP about 1989...

Were you able to see if 5.0L or 5.7L on bellhousing flange? They look the same otherwise, but computers and fuel injectors different internally... 5.0L rated about 175 - 230 netHP over the years...

In USA, grossHP = no aircleaner and open headers; netHP = as installed in vehicle with factory spec.s tune, air cleaner, belt driven accessories, iron exhaust manifolds and full exhaust system pipes mufflers...

Were you needing to buy parts for it?
 
#14 ·
Hi

Thanks for the info and to answer your question I don't need parts but was curious as to what I had. Car build started in the late nineties and the typed notes I have show a 350 300HP engine and given the information you supplied that would appear to be correct. I can just make out 5.7 cast on the bell housing

Cheers
 
#18 ·
Yes, Joker is bringing up the possibility someone bought the HO 300 HP 350" long block (block and heads)... and added a TPI EFI setup to it... (the later Vortec head version of that engine's heads don't match up to stock TPI base manifold)

Stock L98 TPI EFI 350's also used -083 iron heads (#14101083)... head casting number is cast on (not stamped) and is under the valve covers...

In any event, you can prolly assume you have around 290 - 325 grossHP... unless you find a head casting number different than what we discussed... like -882's...

Does it seem to run like it has less? A normal condition of the TPI setup is that it goes asthmatic by about a low 4500 RPMs on 350" size engines... it was designed for 305" engines (GM at the time thought that would be the largest ever offered anymore because of emissions constraints) and strong low to mid RPMs torque and good MPG... but make no mistake, the stock TPI 350" engines rather effortlessly shoved Camaros, Firebirds, and Vettes to 140 - 150 MPH top speeds depending on just which one... and 15 - 14 seconds E.T. in the 1/4 at 90 - 100 MPH trap speeds...
 
#22 ·
The stock Gen. 1 factory empty blocks are about the same except for two and 4 bolt mains... but the long block can have different crankshaft designs/materials, piston designs, rods lengths and strengths, different cam sizes/purposes/styles, heads designs/combustion chamber sizes/ports styles/sizes, valve sizes, studs design, rocker arms design, compression ratios, HP, torque, MPG, RPMS, etc... from 125 netHP to 360 grossHP... And that's BEFORE we put our hands on them !!!
 
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