Hey guys, I'm new here and not too familiar with older Camaro years...
I'm buying a 1965 Corvette resto-mod that has been fitted with a rebuilt 396/375 from a 1968 Camaro and it has the original 4-speed tranny that originally came with it.
My question is, I want to know what kind of value this engine has and whether the value is dependent upon keeping the original tranny with it.
I can see myself wanting to have a 5-speed Tremec in this car, and maybe then also doing an LS swap, depending on what kind of value I have with this 396.
Thanks!

 

My bad I read it wrong

 

Sorry, I think you are replying to the wrong person/question. My question had nothing to do with anything you wrote here.
My question is simply....how much is a 1968 Camaro 396ci/375hp engine worth, and is that value dependent on it also having the original tranny with it.

 

Sorry I read it wrong, Its value would be related to how much of it was original and if it needs rebuilt. A running 396/375 HP with most of the correct parts on it I would think would be worth at lease 10-12K min. If vin numbers are still readable and that car is still in existence it would be worth easily 25K to that owner.

These things are rare and resampling a block is not a big deal so you want to auction it. There are not enough of these floating around to say "this" is what it will sell for and all it would take is two guys with resources that are both building their dream cars and you have the correct date code motor. In many cases these guys will spend big money to get what they want.

 

Oh wow, thank you very much! Yes, it is a running engine(currently in a beautiful 1965 Corvette), and yes it was rebuilt and has about 10,000 miles on it and is very well taken care of. ALL of the engine re-build information/sheets do exist.
Okay, so that being said, IF I only wanted to put in a 5 speed Tremec, for now, you would highly recommend I keep that old tranny, correct? So that if I ever did decide further in the future to also replace the 396 with an LS, that 396 is much more valuable by having the original tranny with it too, correct?. In other words, the two together are worth more than the two separated?
Thanks again for clarifying!!

 

If the 396 and M(xx??) 4 speed have date codes that would support they came in a 68 Camaro than as a pair might command a higher $ to a 68 Camaro owner.....but the potential list of buyers is extremely short. The engine would want original heads and all accessories for it

The $ worth...kind of subjective but I think the $ indicated are extremely high...it really comes down to the very few that would want a date coded specific original engine trans combo you have.

When the time comes post it in FS section of this and other 1st gen Camaro forums. You can ask for any $ amount...OBO and go from there. IMHO I doubt it would offset the cost of a LSx/TKO/T56 swap but certainly help towards it

 

If I do JUST the transmission upgrade, to the Tremec 5 speed, would you recommend I keep the old tranny, or let the mechanic who is doing the upgrade keep it if he gives me $1,000 off the price?

 

Keep it it's worth more than $1K,quick question on the Vette.
Is your '65 one of the uber rare first year big block 396 cars? Only year Vette to have a 396 from the factory.
If so it would be a shame to not keep it as original as possible IMO but it's your car.
Of course finding an original Vette 396 motor would be nearly impossible,maybe why yours has one from a Camaro which is still a rare motor but not as rare.

 

The frame is a 65 Corvette(original BB car), body is 66 Corvette, 67 corvette BB hood. The engine & tranny is from a 68 Camaro.