Last month I bought myself a 1985 GSL-SE to build up as a project car. I got it with the mind set of swapping a new engine in it, and make it a street-legal race car, but I'm not sure as to what engine to get. I want something with power, but not too much and not have to spend a whole lot of money. I have a buddy that can do the engine swap himself, so I don't have to worry about finding someone so that saves me some money. The engine has little to no compression on the back rotor so I'm gonna spend a few grand on that so might as well get an engine, but thought I would come to the gurus here for advice.

But yeah, what would be a nice engine to go for that wouldn't require a whole lot of work and isn't very expensive?

 

Under $5000 if you do it right would be a 4.3 Chevy v6 or and Chevy motor really depending on what you would wanna do with it

 

Why not get a good running N/A FC engine (they are pretty prevolent) and swap the oil pan/front cover?

It'll cost you a TON less than 5k and you'll be happy with the power.