Reco'd source for a budget 331.....

[Cliff Beer]

Well, my Fortus (Lotus Esprit with SBF) project is inching forward. I have the audi transaxle sorted out and ready, the Lotus engine and crappy Citroen transaxle are out. Now the hard part starts....

I'm wondering if anyone has a recommended source for a budget 331. I'm looking to spend $7-8K on a basic 331. Nothing special needed - some decent alloy heads, holley (I'll add injection later), good internals, distributor, no WP or ancillaries. Since this is a bastardized Lotus...which won't be worth a lot of money anyway....I'm not looking to spend $10K+ on an engine. Any recomendations?

Thanks in advance.

ps. in choosing a name it was either Fortus (I like) or Lotord (not so much...anything that sounds like "turd" isn't ideal). Or, as a friend of mine suggested, "just call it your hybrid."

 

[Walter Williams]

Cliff,
try atk high performance engines $6500

 

[Howard Jones]

What is your target HP and rev range? Here's two pretty good deals.

https://fordperformanceracingparts.com/parts/part_details.asp?PartKeyField=13118

https://fordperformanceracingparts.com/parts/part_details.asp?PartKeyField=10271

One more:

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/mll-bp3060ct/overview/make/ford

 

[Rick Muck- Mark IV]

Cliff,
try atk high performance engines $6500

Walt has researched quite a bit and talked to the ATK people and they seem to have a good value in lower cost/high power crate engines.

 

[Cliff Beer]

Thank you Howard, Walt and Rick, some really good leads/information here, much appreciated. I also received a few pm's with additional information. Again, thank you.

Turns out there really is a pretty decent basic 331 engine out there for under $8 grand.

I'll only be into this bastardized Lotus for about $30 grand.....cheap!! I like it....comes with a good heater, luggage space, electric windows, and $50 buck Napa tune ups. Definitely digging it.

 

[Randy V]

Lordus ---

Build your own stroker... There are a bazillion kits out there that are relatively inexpensive.
Dart Pro1 heads are good stuff also..
Most kits require no special machine work to the block for a 331. Only 347s require bore notching.. Even then, it's not a big deal to do with a die grinder.

I've bought from these folks before and gotten good services and prices.
Here's your 331 stroker reciprocating assembly kit for under a grand::
SB Ford 331 Scat Rotating Assembly Kit | Northern Auto Parts