260HP GM Goodwrench or 290 GM Performence motor for my Impala Wagon???

Alright. Im building a 64 Impala wagon. And Im going to buy a crate motor. Im dont really need it super super fast. Just pretty peppy. So Im stuck between the two of these motors. The 260HP and the 290HP. Price is about $600 defference. I just dont know if the 260HP GM Goodwrench is going to be sluggish or should I just pony up and get the GM Performance one. Also looking on gas mileage too as its going to be my daily driver. I have a brand new 600CFM carb ready for it.

Any thoughts?

 

260 hp has 7.9 comp and is a slug.

 

30hp for 600.00 hard to beat that.

 

yeah I dont want that. I just want it peppy. I know the gas mileage will never be no Toyota Prius. But yeah, dont want it to be a slug driving it around. And I guess my car is heavy too as its a wagon.

(sorry, im just thinking out loud)

 

get the 290hp, and you can thank me latter.

 

go with the 290, no question. In a big car you wont hardly see a diference except for hwy only driving on flat roads the 260 will get a hair better milage....

 

I would go with the 290 in that big of a car

 

Years ago I ran a 290 hp Good wrench 350 in a 1 ton Chevy van. Did install a Comp Cam 268H camshaft and a Z-28 Mellings oil pump. Ran very well and for the size of the van got decent mileage, 14 and 18. Rumor is that the engines are thin wall cylinder castings, I used a 160 degree thermostat and a 4 row radiator to keep the temp around 180 and it will give you great service.

 

I'm gonna throw a wrench in the old pot, but hear me out too. The 260 actually has 18 more pounds/feet of torque, and moving a big car that could come in handy. But dont worry, I am voting for the 290 also. It has a Nodular Iron crank, and a nice little cam .450/.460 with 114 L.S.

 

I'm finding conflicting iinformation about the two motors. Care to link which ones you are considering?

 

Either one is a good start. cams and intakes and ignition and exhaust will be factors. Gear ratio and transmission choice too. The 260hp will run on the cheapest gas and never wimper. do the rest of the parts buying right and it will serve you well. Pony up for the 290hp and you get a little boost...very little in such a big car. $600 buys some nice bolt ons to finish your motor instal. you decide.

 

Hitchhiker, you can probably find both of them in either Jeggs or Summit if that helps.

 

260 hp/ 350 tq
http://www.jegs.com/p/GM-Performance/GM-Goodwrench-350-Engine-Packages-1973-1985/752506/10002/-1

290hp/ 326tq
http://www.jegs.com/p/GM-Performance/GM-Performance-Parts-350-Engine-Package/755609/10002/-1

 

Another option, get the 260 and hot rod it as you go. Just a thought. Depends how much $ you have, and what you want out of the car. I'd definitely want that extra 30hp if I could afford it, but if the car needs a lot of other things that $600 can go a long way.

Looks like you get different pistons and a different cam? It's a tough call.

 

I have the 290 in my 47 ford and I love it. price around dealers in your area and you may find one locally cheaper than paying shipping cost.

 

As the saying goes "people drive torque, and race horsepower". Just sayin'