Thoughts on two V8's...
#1
53.6%/46.4% - Crap!
Thread Starter
Thoughts on two V8's...
So I have set myself a budget of 4k for this project. I have an 89 GXL shell that the previous owner did a number on engine wise. The S5 engine blew, an S4 engine was put in its place but with the S5 harness and I have no idea what trans and counterweight I have, or if they hacked up the harness at all. To add insult to injury I found out the S4 engine is also blown (cracked water seal).
So I looked into rebuilding but decided I wouldn't be happy with all that work and 160hp.
I have narrowed down my options to two possible V8 swaps but would like your thoughts. I think the choice is pretty obvious, but the budget factor comes into play.
Option 1: LT1. $1900 shipped for an LT1/T56 combo with literally everything I need from a 1993 Z28. This means it has Optispark, Speed Density instead of Mass Airflow, and it has 130k. But it does have absolutely everything I need (uncut harness, ecu, intake, headers which I would sell, etc).
Option 2: 350 TPI. $2000 local for everything except the transmission. This is no ordinary TPI, it is a polished show motor with 100 miles on it. It also has 400rwhp N/A via roller cams, aluminum heads, headers, TPI intake system.
Now, with option 1 I can see the budget working out. I don't see it with option 2. Now here's my thoughts (and I want to slap myself for considering this). If I wanted to do option 2 right, I would need more than 4k, I may consider a student loan. Now I have no debt to anyone and I don't even use credit cards, and I hate the idea of borrowing money at all. BUT, I will be able to pay it off in the fall or spring completely and not incur any interest penalties (I have to check on this but I believe you aren't required to pay off anything until 6 mos after graduation). I just need this car running asap and I want to get it done this spring.
So what are your thoughts?
So I looked into rebuilding but decided I wouldn't be happy with all that work and 160hp.
I have narrowed down my options to two possible V8 swaps but would like your thoughts. I think the choice is pretty obvious, but the budget factor comes into play.
Option 1: LT1. $1900 shipped for an LT1/T56 combo with literally everything I need from a 1993 Z28. This means it has Optispark, Speed Density instead of Mass Airflow, and it has 130k. But it does have absolutely everything I need (uncut harness, ecu, intake, headers which I would sell, etc).
Option 2: 350 TPI. $2000 local for everything except the transmission. This is no ordinary TPI, it is a polished show motor with 100 miles on it. It also has 400rwhp N/A via roller cams, aluminum heads, headers, TPI intake system.
Now, with option 1 I can see the budget working out. I don't see it with option 2. Now here's my thoughts (and I want to slap myself for considering this). If I wanted to do option 2 right, I would need more than 4k, I may consider a student loan. Now I have no debt to anyone and I don't even use credit cards, and I hate the idea of borrowing money at all. BUT, I will be able to pay it off in the fall or spring completely and not incur any interest penalties (I have to check on this but I believe you aren't required to pay off anything until 6 mos after graduation). I just need this car running asap and I want to get it done this spring.
So what are your thoughts?
#3
53.6%/46.4% - Crap!
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by sao1
Where are you getting the LT1 with the t56 for suck a low price?
Are they always that cheap?
Are they always that cheap?
It does have higher mileage, but it only took about a week of surfing the forums to find it. LS1tech is a great resource, so is ebay. Some other forums (www.torquecentral.com, and www.z28.com) I am on, but there aren't enough people on z28, and torque central usually has complete cars as opposed to parts.
#6
53.6%/46.4% - Crap!
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by sleeper7
dude.. i wouldnt get a student loan.. those are a bitch to pay back. if your gonna get a loan get a signature loan.
Basically I would just be using money from the fall so I can do it right all at once. I have to call and check exactly how this works.
Last edited by Rexpelagi; 03-04-07 at 01:27 PM.
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: spokane, wa
Posts: 362
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I would go with the TPI 350 due to the fact that its a bitchin looking motor, and the harness is a lot less complicated (distributer instead of DIS)
just my 2 cents
just my 2 cents
Trending Topics
#8
RX-347
iTrader: (2)
Originally Posted by 90turbo1
I would go with the TPI 350 due to the fact that its a bitchin looking motor, and the harness is a lot less complicated (distributer instead of DIS)
just my 2 cents
just my 2 cents
I've done LSx (LTx are similiar) and TPI swaps in my RX7 (both in the same car), the LTx/LSx is MUCH easier to deal with. TPI looks cool (to some people, it looks dated to me), that's the end of it's draw really.
#9
Rotary Enthusiast
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 1,017
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I would go with LT1 too, just understand that its a reverse coolant flow head so typical SBC heads and intakes wont work on it. You have to get LT1 specific heads, which arent ridiculously expensive, but less common than SBC parts. (the TPI is a first gen SBC)
BC
BC
#10
LOL don't forget to get your VATS override for the LT-1 if you go with it. :P I almost had a heart attack when I tried to start my LT1 FC for the first time and It would only run for 2 seconds and I realized I left out an important component.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
renjiv2
3rd Generation Specific (1993-2002)
57
01-25-24 03:34 AM