Crate-Engine Options For Your Hot Rod From BluePrint Engines

When it comes to replacement Chevy engines, it’s definitely a buyer’s market. BluePrint Engines understands this, and has created several different combinations to suit any enthusiast’s expectations. Whether just looking for a replacement engine or seeking to hop-up your ride’s performance, BluePrint has offerings that match your vintage car’s original build or that utilize modern technology — such as roller camshafts and performance goodies like aluminum heads and intakes.

While perusing the vast offerings by BluePrint, a couple of engines stand out to us for a variety of reasons. We feel they are a good representation of the spectrum of engines available and are a great value for those wanting to put a new heartbeat under the hood of their ride.

Small Blocks

310 HP 355

You know it’s a good day when the bottom of the performance ladder begins at over 300 horsepower! When you consider the power-boost this would give many GM offerings that came with a typical small-block, the value-per-horsepower becomes quite apparent.

This engine uses a set of cast-iron heads featuring 2.02/1.60 (intake/exhaust) valves. Hypereutectic pistons are an upgrade from the factory-cast units, but also help keep the costs below forged components.

The seasoned four-bolt blocks are align-honed, decked, and bored using computer-controlled machines to ensure each cylinder bore is straight and round. it uses a cast-steel crankshaft and a flat-tappet camshaft is tailored to work well with the engine’s 9.5:1 compression ratio.

BluePrint also offers similar packages that utilize Vortec-style cast-iron heads and modern, roller camshafts for a little more performance and modern reliability. The decision was made to keep some engine options with a flat-tappet-style camshafts to bring the most value to the customer. But, increased availability and cost-effectiveness allows BluePrint to upgrade many of its previously flat-tappet-equipped engines to roller-style lifters and camshafts. Our sources report that eventually, all BluePrint engine options for Chevrolet engines will feature roller camshafts.

Other benefits of this engine are a one-piece rear-main seal, provisions for a mechanical fuel pump, and a complete set of tins — including valve covers, timing chain cover, and an oil pan featuring a passenger-side dipstick.

430 HP 383

If you are looking for something with a little bit more bite, this 383 small-block stroker will deliver 430 horsepower and 450 lb-ft of torque. It definitely has the brawn to back up its looks. Compression is bumped up to 10.0:1, and a set of BluePrint Engines’ aluminum cylinder heads and a larger-than-stock hydraulic-roller camshaft come together to make the most of the additional squish.

Hypereutectic pistons are held in place with a cast-crankshaft, I-beam connecting rods, and a four-bolt bottom-end. Of course, all of the machining and assembly are already complete when the engine shows up to your door.

563 HP 454

If too much is not enough, this bored and stroked 454-cube small-block spins the dyno with 563 horsepower and 545 lb-ft of torque! How’s that for power to burn?

Upgraded internals withstand this level of performance by way of a forged crankshaft and pistons stuffed into a new four-bolt engine block. BluePrint’s own aluminum cylinder heads cap off each bank and the performance camshaft with .638/.622-inch lift gives the engine its hefty marching orders.

The new block is cast and machined in the USA, and this engine features the same 30-month/50,000-mile warranty as the rest of BluePrint Engines’ offerings.

Big Blocks

There’s no subtle way to say it when talking big-blocks. BluePrint offers several different combinations, including engines prepared for power-adders such as superchargers or nitrous. But, if you’re looking for a naturally-aspirated powerhouse, you’re in luck. The list showcases a variety of crate engines to choose from. Making the most of the block’s big-ness, BluePrint’s offerings start at 496 cubic-inches and go up from there.

440 HP 496

The line for horsepower starts at 440 with 560 lb-ft of torque on tap. The raised-port, iron heads and hypereutectic pistons keep the cost down, while a cast-steel crank and a host of aftermarket goodies keep performance and value high.

This engine features everything from the oil pan to the dual-plane intake wearing an 800-cfm carburetor, and a distributor. As with other offerings, the timing chain cover, valve covers, and oil pan are included.

600 HP 496

BluePrint Engines’ 600 horsepower 496ci package makes for a great fuel-injected motivator. While there isn’t any provision for a fuel pump, there’s plenty of provisions for performance. A BluePrint Engines forged-crankshaft keeps those hypereutectic pistons in time, and the BPE aluminum heads make sure the engine gets all the air it needs. Of course, all BluePrint engines come with a dyno sheet, so you know exactly how much power the package produces.

815 HP 632

If it’s horsepower you’re craving, then this bad-boy, big-block is for you. Sporting 775 lb-ft of torque, this stump-puller is sure to make your ride get off the line. The new cast-iron block also features four-bolt mains and provision for a fuel pump.

In conjunction with the 119cc BluePrint aluminum heads, forged-pistons, and a new, forged crankshaft your new mill will come with an 11.0:1 compression ratio. Of course, squeezing each of those 632 cubes together means the block is a tall-deck design (deck is approximately .400-inch taller than an OE block), so there may be some fitment issues under cramped hood lines.

LSx Engines

Building a high-powered, LS-based engine has been the foundation for many conversations online and in the pits. They respond well to upgrades, and the various options offered by BluePrint Engines ensure that there’s an engine for every budget.

530hp LS3

There are many reasons why this LS3 from BluePrint Engines should be considered for your next LS-swap. BluePrint takes this swap-participant one step further and includes a GM muscle-car-swap oil pan, 90mm drive-by-wire throttle body, intake, fuel injectors and rail, coil packs, spark plugs and wires, water pump, and a harmonic balancer.

The build starts with a new GM aluminum 6.2-liter block, and BluePrint stuffs it full of hypereutectic pistons, a nodular crankshaft, and a hydraulic-roller camshaft. It caps everything off with its aluminum cylinder heads featuring 72cc chambers to give the engine a spritely 10.7:1 compression ratio.

625HP 427

The “middle-of-the-road” offering from BluePrint Engines brings 625 horsepower to the table and 550 lb-ft of torque. This beefy brute starts with an OE block and gets treated to a forged crankshaft sporting a 4.125-inch stroke, forged 6.125-inch connecting rods, and forged pistons.

Other values of this particular engine are it comes with the ECM (minus transmission controller), 90mm drive-by-wire throttle body, LS3 intake manifold, 42-pound injectors and returnless fuel rail, harmonic balancer, valve covers, retrofit oil pan and timing cover, coil packs, all sensors required for the engine to run, spark plug wires and wiring harness, and even the gas pedal for a complete installation package.

750 HP Supercharged LS3

Supercharging really wakes up an LS-engine, and BluePrint Engines combines the beauty of boost with its LS3-based engine package to pump out 750 horsepower and 740 lb-ft of torque.

The same reliable, OE engine block gets the proper care and attention throughout the machining and build process, where boost-capable components are installed. As with the other LS-based engine packages shown here, the assembly comes with the ECU (transmission controller not included), sensors, wire harness, and even the gas pedal to ensure a trouble-free installation.

The Bottom Line

If you’re shopping for your next engine — whether to replace an aging mill or to go in a new build — one of these engines is sure to please. Check out BluePrint Engines’ website and see for yourself the scope of engines available and the numerous options offered to the enthusiast. Remember, each engine comes with a dyno sheet at no charge, and carries a 30-month/50,000-mile warranty.

All BluePrint engines leave in a crate with a pallet base. The freight carriers it uses all have lift-gate trucks available, which eliminates the need of a forklift at the delivery location. For this reason, most customers can have engines shipped directly to their home or to a shop doing the install. When shopping for your next engine, it’s nice to have options, and BluePrint Engines give you so many, there’s no need to go anywhere else!

Article Sources

About the author

Andy Bolig

Andy has been intrigued by mechanical things all of his life and enjoys tinkering with cars of all makes and ages. Finding value in style points, he can appreciate cars of all power and performance levels. Andy is an avid railfan and gets his “high” by flying radio-controlled model airplanes when time permits. He keeps his feet firmly grounded by working on his two street rods and his supercharged C4 Corvette. Whether planes, trains, motorcycles, or automobiles, Andy has immersed himself in a world driven by internal combustion.
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