Guest polarity Posted September 15, 2003 Share Posted September 15, 2003 Ok guys, now that I have my new job, it's time to get back to work on the ZX. I bought a block for my engine a while back. It was out of a 97 truck and I was told it was from a vortec motor. It is 2 bolt main. But here is my question. I plan on building a mild motor to start (just something to get into the car and get it moving again). Would I be better off finishing building that motor (would need alot of money to complete for what I had planned) or is buying a used 350 off ebay a good option. I was thinking there I already would have heads and all needed parts for the motor itself, as opposed to having to buy all new for the vortec block. Any ideas? Picking up a motor for 400 off ebay isnt looking bad, but I want some serious feedback from you guys first. Keep in mind, this would not be the motor that I would be keeping, just something to get the car on the road, let me have a little fun, and give me something to see so it looks like after years of having this thing something is getting done? Thoughts? Billy Just to add links I was looking at things like this http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2432224253&category=33615 http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2432314187&category=33615 http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2432656016&category=33615 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest greimann Posted September 15, 2003 Share Posted September 15, 2003 It sounds like you have to decide what is a priority; lower construction cost or logistical simplicity. If you take that existing block and put $600 into it, (the real life cost of buying a $400 motor and having it delivered) you will be getting pretty close to having a running unit. Otherwise you end up with an extra block that you will either have sitting in the garage or have to sell. On the other hand, buying a running motor will let you focus on the installation. Once a project is running, I think it is a great idea to pull it all out and clean up wires and hoses that were "rigged" to get it going. You then can re-install the new motor you built. Ya, I know, this is no answer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Z-rific Posted September 15, 2003 Share Posted September 15, 2003 Have you searched locally for a SB? Salvage yards may have better prices and you wouldn't have to pay a ton for shipping. I was going to do the same thing. Just get a running 350 for now, and build up a hoss motor. Then I found a good deal on a built 350 locally. It's nice to not have to do another install. Now I can concentrate on other parts of the car. Just shop around and see what's out there. You may find something nice for a good price. I'd hate to spend $500 on Ebay for a motor with issues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim240z Posted September 15, 2003 Share Posted September 15, 2003 Maybe it's just me, but that line of thinking (buy a cheaper motor now, and then a more expensive one later), is false economy. Why not just buy a decent crate motor right off the bat. Sure it's more expensive in the short run, but you will be way ahead in the long run. That $600 to $1000 it will cost to get a 'JY' motor to run nicely can be put towards a good crate for not much more. I guess it depends on how much you really want the 'instant gratification'?! 355HP ZZ4 crate: http://www.sdpc2000.com/cart.asp?action=prod_detail&catid=120&pid=117 Tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest polarity Posted September 18, 2003 Share Posted September 18, 2003 Well, there are some reasons. I need to get another running car. I can either invest in another car (take more time and money away from my car) or get this one on the road. I don't the money upfront to build the motor I want, but I will have enough to put in a cheap motor & trans just to get the car moving again. I know there is alot more to this swap (brake, suspension, etc.) but right now it's all about getting the ZX back on the road so I can covince my lady friend that I can spend money on it and get it working instead of getting a new car. Then once the car is running I can build up my motor (over a couple months) and install it.. does this sound stupid? should I just invest in another car and take more time on the z? Billy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest greimann Posted September 18, 2003 Share Posted September 18, 2003 How about a running V8 ZX that could be eventually folded into your project, and be a lady pleaser in the mean time? Mine is for sale. Hit link below. http://home.earthlink.net/~dvgreimann/index.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest polarity Posted September 18, 2003 Share Posted September 18, 2003 I hate to see your car for sale, especially with as much info as I've gotten from you and your site. I wish I could afford it. Maybe if you wanted to set me up on a payment plan LOL!.. You really do have a beautiful car though and I hope to hell that mine comes out half as good. Billy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest polarity Posted September 18, 2003 Share Posted September 18, 2003 back to the question at hand though. Lets say I'm going to spend $500 on a motor on ebay, then another $200 to ship it. Can I build a decent motor for that price if I already have the block. Like I said before I have the vortec block, but when I was looking heads and such were around $1300 for a set.. That's just heads, nothing else that would be needed for the motor.. I appreciate all the info guys, please keep it comming. I need to get started on this before the little old lady decides trying to purchase another car is a good option. Billy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Neil Posted September 18, 2003 Share Posted September 18, 2003 If you bought a "new" car, how much would you spend? $2000-$3000? If you used that money to buy a crate engine and some other upgrades, wouldn't you have, esentualy, a new car? That's the logic that I use with my wife. "If it has a new, reliable engine, a new transmission, and new breaks, it will run like a new car." (Ithink she bought it, too). Also, I agree with Tim240Z. Don't spend $700 on something you don't want and turn around a year or two from now and spend $2000 more on what you really wanted in the first place. I'm starting to realize this. In an effort to get my Z on the road, I've spent a lot of money doing quick repairs to the stock breaks over the last two years. New rotors, new pads, new wheel cylinder, new booster, etc. Now all I have are crappy stock breaks that still don't work realy great. If I had just been patient and saved my money, I could have done a complete Wilwood upgrade with all of the money I spent. Oh well, lesson learned. From here on out, I will be saving up money to buy what I realy want (after I pay off my debt, that is ). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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