$5000 Engine in a $4000 car? Worth it?

[Mark B]

Hey everyone,
I am in a bit of a delima here. I have a 91 RS Convertable w/ 140k miles. Its got a 305TBI/5-Speed with a few mods. (Click Sig) So its pretty slow. I will be giving it a new engine in Febuary/March. My plan was to put a used LS1/T56 combo in. I have done all of my research, I know what the cost will be, I know what the problem areas are, I know what I have to do. Now I just have to figure out if I should do it! Adding everything up, it will cost me about 5k to make the change. And that is getting a 60-70k mile engine. I have been thinking about it non-stop for the past couple weeks and I just cant seem to make a decision. 5k is ALOT of money. I could easily put that money into a new daily driver, or repairs/upgrades to my condo. I dont like any of my other options as far as the engine goes. I have looked into 350HO from GM Performance parts. After putting a fuel injection on it and getting a LT1 T56, it will cost about the same as the LS1.

I love my car & I would like to keep it for a long time. However, I will be spending 5k on and engine & 2k on paint (next year.) If I sell my car and put in the 7K, I could buy an LS1 F-Body!

[Jay 02 TA ws6]

To me... just not worth it

[Crazy Canuk]

If you put money in your condo you increase its value usully by more then what you put into it so at some point the chances of getting back equal or more money back when you sell it is high.

When you spend money on a car you will never (unless its a collectors car) get back what you put into it. For 7k US you should be able to get a nice LT1 car. There is always going to be someone quicker then you too.

But then again if I did the smart thing I would have listened to my boss bought a beater ran it to the ground and sold it for scrap for as much as I paid for it...

In the end it comes down to what you want and keep in mind projects always cost more by the time your done with them

[TraceZ]

sell your current car for $4000

Add $5000 to that and have $9000



Use the $9000 to buy a nice LS1 car.

[Trash man]

i would put ur money into the condo, maybe paint the car since u can prob get that investment back. as for what u should do bout the car, go to a 4th gen website, and buy a LT1 cam, then get a set of 305 tpi heads, a edlebrock performer tbi intake, then do a nice exhuast set up and i bet u will have 250-270hp when properly tuned. and best part between the tuning gear and the parts it prob cost u around 500$

[Joe 1320]

If you put money in your condo you increase its value usully by more then what you put into it so at some point the chances of getting back equal or more money back when you sell it is high.

When you spend money on a car you will never (unless its a collectors car) get back what you put into it. For 7k US you should be able to get a nice LT1 car. There is always going to be someone quicker then you too.

But then again if I did the smart thing I would have listened to my boss bought a beater ran it to the ground and sold it for scrap for as much as I paid for it...

In the end it comes down to what you want and keep in mind projects always cost more by the time your done with them

That pretty much sums it up. Rarely is hot rodding "worth it" from a monetary standpoint. It's what it does for you while enjoying it that you can ask yourself "Is it worth it?"

However, never say never. I have gotten pretty good over the years about picking up an older car that needs work, putting some labor into it, drive it for a decent amount of miles and sell it for at least what I have into it including all maintainance. It takes careful shopping and good skills, but I do it regularly. You just can't expect to do that on major buildups.

[Christopherrr]

a 3rd gen with a LS1? Do it! Joe is right...hot rodding has never been an investment money wise. You're investing in the fact that you have one of the few LS1 powered 3rd gens. I don't have any sense...I'd do it in a heartbeat.

[Kevin - Blown 95 TA]

My car books for $5k or so, even though it has a near perfect body & interior, 30k miles, and the value of all the aftermarket parts is at least $20k and I'm putting an engine in there that's going to cost about $6k when it's done. Investment wise, it's dumb as hell, and I was just telling a friend at work today that I would be better off parting it out than ever selling it as a car. That's just how it works in the hotrod world.

Some guy at work is trying to sell a beautiful 55 Chevy with 488 hp 468, 150 shot, 9" with 4.88 & a spool, a TH400 with transbrake for $25,000. It's completely useless as a mode of transportation and collector value is questionable, so, even though it might be fun at the local drive-in & car shows, and might be OK at the track, no one is even remotely interested in buying it.

That's just how it is. I don't go to bars and nightclubs or expensvie vacations, and the little women took a powder, so I throw some money at my hobbies and try to deal with the buyer's remorse of expensive car parts the best I can.

[thenuge876]

For your particular situation it soudns as if the money is better spent elsewhere. I think if there werent other ways to spend it that would lead to more profit in the long run it would be an awesome idea and one i think i will undertake in the next few years, but right now it would be more practical to go with your other options first.

[LoudLT1]

go with what makes life more enjoyable to you!!!
3rd gen with an LS1. that would be sooo nice
plus you only live once take andvantage now!!!!!
DO IT
eddie

[Mark B]

Another option is an LT1. The swap will cost alittle over half of the LS1 due to the engine being cheaper and fewer additional parts being required. I will have about 50 fewer ponies, but the 2000-2500 savings would easily make up for 50hp. I just better replace the opti, plugs & wires before i put the engine in! haha

TBI 170hp/255ft.lbs.
LT1 285hp/345ft.lbs.
LS1 325hp/360ft.lbs.?

I was thinking about just upgrading my TBI, but the engine already has 140k miles on it and its just a 305. I dont see the point of putting any $ into it even if it is only $500. If I do the LT1, I can put the extra 2500 into the condo. (Or I can paint the car hahaha)

[94Z/28]

I say do it. Carb to pan I have about $4500 in the motor I put into a $750 car, I know ill never get the money back out of it, but the fun you will have doing the build is worth it. Also it feels much better to drive something unique that you put together yourself.

[Nightrage]

Depends on what you're into. I was actually thinking about doing this swap with a 92 Formula, but I just can't get away from the 98+ WS6 (I love them to death). Check out thirdgen.org for more information. I'll try to sum up what I've read for you.

If you do it yourself, it could cost around $5,000 or so. $8,000 if you have it done for you. That's if you just go with the bare necessities to get the motor in there and finished. Everyone says that's what they're going to do, but no one ever does it. Sure it's a full swap and everything runs fine, but having the motor out is too convenient to leave it alone. You'll want to add headers, use a light weight K member, change the camshaft, upgrade fuel lines and injectors, and so on. You'll get nickled and dimed to death, especially when you start with suspension components. While the motor is out, you might get the urge to repaint the car. It has 140k miles on it, so I'm sure the paint could use a touch up.

I personally love the idea. You'll have to go into this with your mind 100% set on what you're doing and refuse to sway from the plan one bit if you want to keep it affordable. Ask anyone here and they'll all tell you the same thing. Once you start modding, it's hard to stop. It's even worse when everything is right there and easy to do. I personally decided to just save up to buy an LS1 F-body. They're not too expensive now, depending on what you want. I've seen 98's go for as low as $6,500, but that's for a 100k mile Z28. I've seen 75k mile WS6's go for $9k+, so I'm on a deal myself. Check out LS1tech.com's classified page.

Good luck and keep us posted.

[DANNYZIROC-Z]

id have to agrre with what someone said earlier sell the car for 4000 and youll have 9000. I don't know if if theyre what you like but you could get a perfect third gen and a beater car and youd probably still have money left.

[Nightrage]

Off topic, but are third gens increasing in value? Seems like they're getting very expensive. Anyone have any ideas what I could get for my Trans Am?