Small Block & Big Block Chevy Specific - I need advice guys

hey guys i have recently lost my 5.7l TBI 350 w/ cam. it was in my 94 chevy c1500 ext. cab stepside pickup. well i was looking around and trying to find a new engine to put in it and i came across a 355. i was wondering exactly how you get a 355 and would it be cheaper to buy one as a crate engine with 385hp and 405ft lbs tq for $4000 or could i build one cheaper than that with the same amount of hp and tq?? please let me know guys. my budget is about $3000 MAX lol so please let me know what you think of the 355 idea, or any other idea you have. and if it would be better to stay TBI or go to Carb. and let me know what kinda heads,intake,headers,ignition, everything to use. thanks.

If i remember right a 355 is a 350 bored 30over. You could build one for cheaper but your gonna be dealing with machine work, finding all the parts and getting it running correctly. With a crate engine the majority of it is already put together if not complete. It will cost a little more but your dealing with a new engine and they usually retain a warranty depending on who you buy through. Good luck with it.

thanks man. and yes it is through jegs and it has a 30 month/50,000 mile warranty. and i would kinda like to build it myself but i was just wondering. so you think a 355 would have no problem putting out 385/405 with a TBI??

No not at all. Theres a few around where I live that are around there if not higher. You should be able to get just the block or a basic setup with a warranty so you can build it yourself if that's what your really wanting to do. You may want to call Jeg's and see if they'll let you do it and still honor a warranty.

yeah thats true. do you think cast iron bottom end is good enough to handle putting my foot to it a pretty good bit?