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?

 

Where are you getting the LT1 with the t56 for suck a low price?

Are they always that cheap?

 

You have to look for deals like that, but they can be done. Most packages like that generally go for 2500, but I just jumped on a deal when I saw it. I have the package lined up if I want it, if not I will pass and it will go to someone else.

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.

 

LT1.

Do what makes the most sense budget wise. And by that, I mean which would be the cheapest.

 

dude.. i wouldnt get a student loan.. those are a bitch to pay back. if your gonna get a loan get a signature loan.

 

I believe student loans don't need paid back until 6 months after graduation (which is 2 years away for me). I will be able to pay it off in the fall. So I shouldn't incur any interest charges, and have no loans currently.

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.

 

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

 

Not true. The TPI 350 is harder to fit, doesn't clear the hood, and has within 1 or 2 wires the same amount of things to hook up. It also relies on more sensors, and is harder to tune and modify the PCM on.

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.

 

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

 

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.