Guest FinalRights Posted January 22, 2004 Share Posted January 22, 2004 I have a chance to get a 280zx for $400. A few things need to be replaced,but its still a pretty good deal. I want to use this car as a daily drive,but I still want a bit of speed. Im hoping atleast 250hp/tq,which isn't that much to ask from a V8. Carbed or EFI doesn't matter. I'm looking at the easiest to drop in for the cheapest price. I don't really want to spend more then $1500 on the enigne(including putting it in),I'll do all the work myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JKDGabe Posted January 22, 2004 Share Posted January 22, 2004 Carb'd auto. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest FinalRights Posted January 22, 2004 Share Posted January 22, 2004 Yea,after thinking about it I think Carb'd would be the easiest/cheapest. Only question is,which engine should I choose? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest KillerZees Posted January 22, 2004 Share Posted January 22, 2004 I have seen the 327's go for a few hundred less than a standard 350, but still to get it running a new one will cost about 2k. Thats why I am purchacing a monte carlo that was rebuilt almost 2 years ago by my friend, the carb is broken and it has been sitting for a few months so he's selling it to me for 1800. Im pulling the trans/engine and whatever else I need then selling the body on ebay. If you dont want to buy a whole car and dont realy care for more than 300hp I have seen lightly used 350's w/trans for sale around me and in ebay for about 2k. But, if you want a NEW engine I think from what Ive seen that the 327 would be a good choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
80LS1T Posted January 22, 2004 Share Posted January 22, 2004 I have a buddy who bought a rebuilt engine from "Checker Auto" for $1200 I beleive it was rated at like 230ish HP Pretty much a stock 350. Now this was not including the intake, distributor, wires, carb, etc. $1200 for rebuilt 350 isnt too bad but after you buy all the stuff to go on the engine you will be over $1500 without a doubt. I dont think a V8 Swap can be done for $1500 unless you steal all your parts! For a basic swap I thnk $3000- $3500 is like the bare bones minimum. Just because of all the little parts that you dont think about that you will have to buy to make it work. Of course using all junk yard parts would help to keep the cost down. You just have to go on the days that they have deals... like "anything you can carry to the front in one trip for $50" day just get a buddy and carry and engine to the front! LOL There are a few guys on here who have said they have done that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spdsk8r Posted January 22, 2004 Share Posted January 22, 2004 It can be done. I presently have about $1600 in my project, including the price of car. All it takes is careful buying and selling. For my motor I purchased a 91 G-30 Van with less than 30k miles on rebuilt motor for $550, pulled the motor and 4L80E trans, and sold the Van body for $150 and the 4L80E trans for $500. This gave me a total investment in my base engine of -$100. So far my biggest investment has been the trans. A fresh 700R4 for $300, 2200 stall converter for $120, TV cable kit and Torque converter lock-up kit for under $200. All I have left to complete is cooling and exhaust. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danc Posted January 22, 2004 Share Posted January 22, 2004 You might also want to consider buying an old cop car as opposed to a zillion trips to the junk yard. I also scavenged a bunch of wiring connectors that make the engine bay look a lot more finished.. That would save you a lot of time and money. Gm Performance parts also has a 350 replacement long block for around 1200. Good luck.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest tacamo Posted January 23, 2004 Share Posted January 23, 2004 Our conversion took from an 82 Camaro that had been driven into a pole after only 3,000 miles on a crate engine. With the 305 came a mild cam and 600 CFM Edelbrock. The rest to be parted out--t-tops, lenses, hatch, rims, etc. No FI, which would have driven up the cost big time just HEI. The 305 has more power than any turbo I've driven. We went with a turbo 350 tranny to save bucks. To give the Z longer legs a turbo 700 R4 should be used. A manual 3.99 rearend would be for the strip and a auto 3.54 for the street. If you buy and sell carefully it can be done. Our cost was $1,700, alot with replacing the old with the rebuilt. We only invested in a low profile intake manifold to guarantee the proper hood clearance and a custom drive shaft to be sure it could handle the all the extra torque. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest FinalRights Posted January 28, 2004 Share Posted January 28, 2004 Keep the ideas coming. 200rwhp is the basic goal for this daily driver. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.