i need some input here...I dont know which engine to go with, either the FS_ZE or a junkyard stock engine..See I can get a stock engine from the junkyard for $600 and build it up..and with buying the stock engine i can save aprox. 1100 and the fact i know its a direct drop in..where as Corksport is draging their feet and i dont know if its a straight swap and the cost of it is higher..I could use the estimated 1100 that i would save on buying the stock engine and put it towards stronger rods pistons and cams and extrude hone the head..and still would not have spent as much as the JSPEC...but would i be up to the estimated 170 horses(at the crank) that the jspec comes with stock..So i could use some guidance from my fellow probers...Bryan you seem to know whats up Im sure youve kicked this around while trying to get horses outta your car...Im also thinking of goin the turbo route but the engine needs replaced first! alright guys and gals HELP ME (hehe) Jude Olwell 93 PSE

I KNOW THE CAM IS WHERE A LOT OF THE HORSEPOWER CHANGE COMES FROM. I WOULD ALSO ASSUME THE TIMING IS ADVANCED AND YOU WOULD NEED PREMIUM FUEL. FIND OUT WHO CORKSPORTS SUPPLIERS ARE AND ASK THEM THE DIFFERENCE IF YOU CAN. CHRIS >

ok guys.......i talked to corksport and here's what i've found out that is different: The intake manifold, intake camshaft, pistons, exhaust manifold. We have teh intake manifold and intake camshaft listed in the parts sections now with prices. hope this helps........if you want my opinion i'd spend the extra dough and get the jspec engine rather than the stock 2.0L we have now jay 93 se

If you think you can get rods and pistons for less than $1100, let us all know where. I have contacted every manufacturer I know of and haven't found rods for less than $800, not to include pistons and rings. Extrude honing will run you another $300, and if you are going to replace your engine, why not just pull it and build it up and save the $600 for the engine at the junkyard. The block, head and other metal are still good, just not the internals. Just a thought, Steve

Hey, one other thing you could do to your stock motor is have the block decked. It's an old trick big block V-8 guys use. You have 1o thousandths of an inch shaved off the deck(the area where your head bolts to), this lower the height which increases compression in turn increasing power. You only want to do this if you are staying normally aspirated though. With forced induction you want the lower compression. With NOS or normally apirated, you want the higher compression. It will also require you to run higher octane gas. One last thing, if you are staying normally aspirated, check out the python-injection Venom 400. Great product, quick and easy install, the best $300 you could spend, and will work with all mods except a turbo or supercharger. Hope this helps Steve Oh yeah, you could add the J-spec cam and intake on your stock engine.

I spoke to corksport today and was told that the engine was a direct bolt on with no modifications needed to be done. This should be cleared up!

I had a quote from Crower for custom rods for $650. Maybe you are talking to the wrong people.

When did you talk to Crower? I spoke with them the other day and they wanted $199/rod=$796 plus shipping and 8-10 weeks before completion if I send them a sample rod. That's over $900 because I would have to buy a stock rod which is $85 from the dealer, or be without a car for 8-10 weeks at a minimum. I just rebuilt a Chevy 350 with over 400HP and those rods were $400 for all 8 rods. How is that fair? I realize that they are more popular engines than ours, but come on. That is 4 more rods for half the cost. Steve

well you see thats why i would buy  another complete WHOLE engine which comes with an extra set of rods..not just order them from dealership...because i also need my car for everday use..
jude olwell

Well, The last time I talked to them was back in July, but I didn't expect them to raise the prices that much. As for the 8-10 weeks, they told me the same, but I had the entire engine already torn down so it didn't bother me. Man, if they lifted prices that much, I wish I would have gotten the rods then.