Chevrolet Performance Crate Engine 195hp vs 290hp
 

There are many threads discussing the two listed engines. I haven't found any that did an honest comparison. I have read that the 290 is a combination of wrong/misused parts. Has anyone used both engines that could provide feedback on which they liked better without modifications? No need to go into the vortec discussion, i'm just curious on these two engines.

Re: Chevrolet Performance Crate Engine 195hp vs 290hp
 

I’ve used a 195 horse engine as a base.
Modded it later with aluminum heads and better cam.
The 290 horse motor I’ve built myself but not bought. I put more cam than the crate has in it into a stock motor like the 195 horse is. Learned my lesson early. Big cam and no compression doesn’t work well.
Check this cam to compression list and you’ll see why the 290 horse motor is built wrong.


https://www.crankshaftcoalition.com/..._compatibility

Re: Chevrolet Performance Crate Engine 195hp vs 290hp
 

The 290 will suck at low rpms. The 195 will have better power where you need it. The 195 with a good intake and 4 barrel carb should make around 250 hp.

Re: Chevrolet Performance Crate Engine 195hp vs 290hp
 

The 195 is actually 260 with when measured the same way they measure the 290. Just get the cheap one and swap in a real cam.

Re: Chevrolet Performance Crate Engine 195hp vs 290hp
 

Thanks for the input. Ok, now i'll throw the other possibility in the mix. the 350/357 vortec. Is it worth the money, as designed? i didnt want to include that in OP because i know most will prefer the vortec.

https://www.chevrolet.com/performanc...350-357-deluxe

Re: Chevrolet Performance Crate Engine 195hp vs 290hp
 

Getting caught up in the numbers game, are you.
That’s a normal thing!
Still a bit of a mismatch comparing true compression to cam duration. They say nominal 9 to 1. Translates to 8.7 to 1. Roller cam more forgiving though. And better heads.
With a sharp timing curve it’ll work. Their recommended timing is dismal. You need more than double their 8 initial.
What trans you running?
What convertor?
What rear gears?
Are you prepared for a lumpy idle cold blooded motor?
Not a set it and forget it motor.

Re: Chevrolet Performance Crate Engine 195hp vs 290hp
 

yeah i have been looking at numbers and learning that its just easier to ask the experienced guys. I believe they are 3.07 gears and I plan to have the th350 gone over when i pull it. torque convertor will depend on the engine that i go with - open for suggestions. I would like a set it and forget it engine. i just want to get in and drive when i want.

My 71 GMC had the GM 350/330HP vortec. That was a smooth running engine but i don't know if i can justify the extra $.

Re: Chevrolet Performance Crate Engine 195hp vs 290hp
 

I have the 350/357 crate motor in my 70 with 2004r trans stock converter and 4.10 gears. It does what I consider a mild idle, but pulls strong. I would suggest around a 2400 stall converter and whatever you do don't get the deluxe version with HEI diet and carb like I did. Get a dist that you can tailor the curve and limit the total advance, this engine likes more initial timing than the recommended 10 and you need to limit the total from the dist so you are in the 32 degree range with it all in (initial + mechanical advance) and add about 15 vac for cruise. I had nothing but idle issues with the shipped carb a Holley 670 street avenger. Finally borrowed a like new Holley carb in their classic line and works way better. If I had to do it over get the L31 replacement (now available again) and probably a Sniper EFI with timing control or even better Edelbrock proflow system. for $500 or so more.

Re: Chevrolet Performance Crate Engine 195hp vs 290hp
 

No crate engines are worth the money vs rebuilding.

Re: Chevrolet Performance Crate Engine 195hp vs 290hp
 

I'll take my L31-R for 2k over rebuilding anyday but I see the price has gone up so it depends. Do you want the satisfaction of building your own motor or do you want a motor ready to go without having to wait.
I did rebuild the motor in my toyota myself. The truck sat in my shop for a year before I started on it so I wasn't going to get in a hurry. It does give you a good feeling to ride around on a truck knowing you put the motor together yourself.

Re: Chevrolet Performance Crate Engine 195hp vs 290hp
 

Best of both worlds: I built an L31 Vortec for my Blazer. Building it allowed me to customize it, and I have the benefits of a roller cam, Vortec heads, and a 1 piece rear main seal.

Re: Chevrolet Performance Crate Engine 195hp vs 290hp
 

When they were new for $2k they were a smoking good deal. But for $2k I could rebuild a vortec into a 383.

Re: Chevrolet Performance Crate Engine 195hp vs 290hp
 

They are to the magority!
Most people don’t have the tools or the know how to rebuild a motor. Let alone remove a motor and replace it.
That’s why there is such a variety of crate engines available.
And people willing to do the work for you and get paid to do it.

Re: Chevrolet Performance Crate Engine 195hp vs 290hp
 

I’m the guy that doesn’t know how to rebuild it, but I’m confident I can swap it. I’d really enjoy watching/helping someone do a rebuild. Geezer I saw you linked a blueprint engine in another post. Do you approve of their crates? I appreciate the wisdom from you guys that have the experience.

Re: Chevrolet Performance Crate Engine 195hp vs 290hp
 

I’ve never used a blueprint engine.
Bought a couple good wrench crates to use as a base when I didn’t have a rebuildable core.
Rebuilt them as needed otherwise.
They had a slightly bad rep when they started out but that has improved vastly. Customer support is way up there. And they dyno your motor. Included in the price so you don’t need to stress the break in procedure.
Likely the best bang for your buck crate available.
And there’s a member on here who works for them. Can’t remember who.

Re: Chevrolet Performance Crate Engine 195hp vs 290hp
 

Have a blue print 427 SBC in my camaro, and installed a few others over the years. It's really really hard to beat the piece of mind and warranty that comes with a crate engine. Plus BP dynoing your engine and giving you the numbers, is awesome. I had questions along the way and they told me every brand and spec that's inside the engine, just had to ask.

Re: Chevrolet Performance Crate Engine 195hp vs 290hp
 

Another option to consider is to contact a local machine shop. Talk to them tell them what you want up front and they will build what you want. That is what I did stopped by from time to time seen the block being bored and decked. Picked my top end kit( I went with a Eldelbrock kit). Picked my sheet metal and water pump. Painted it and took it to them. They assembeled and called me when it was done. Got to watch the break in then the dyno pulls. 383 stroker a little over 400 HP 460+ torque with a new Fi tech 600hp with force fuel dyno'd all new parts except block $5500.00. Me seeing exactly what kind of shape the block was in and picking the internals was a blast.