81 z28 help
#1
10-22-2011, 05:08 PM
81 z28 help
i need a transmission and a egine any ideas or websites that i could use i need to to be a little cheap also.oh and by the way im new here.
#3
10-22-2011, 07:08 PM
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Portland, Or
Posts: 9,097
What engine/trans?
I agree with the Craigslist thing, and I think if it's a 350/TH350, then I'd seriously consider looking for a donor car. It's almost always cheaper to buy a running, drving car, than to buy an engine and trans with unknown condition.
I bet you could find a complete car with a 350/TH350 for under $1500, remove what you want, then sell or scrap the rest for a few hundred dollars. You have the advantage of being able to test drive the car to ensure both engine and trans are good.
My buddy just bought a 1989 Suburban with a recently rebuilt 454, and TH400 trans, for $800. It's got a 6" lift kit, plus a nice set of aftermarket centerline wheels, and decent offroad tires. He's taken the engine and trans for his project, and has a buyer for the rust free Surburban for $500, so he's in cheap on engine and trans.
I agree with the Craigslist thing, and I think if it's a 350/TH350, then I'd seriously consider looking for a donor car. It's almost always cheaper to buy a running, drving car, than to buy an engine and trans with unknown condition.
I bet you could find a complete car with a 350/TH350 for under $1500, remove what you want, then sell or scrap the rest for a few hundred dollars. You have the advantage of being able to test drive the car to ensure both engine and trans are good.
My buddy just bought a 1989 Suburban with a recently rebuilt 454, and TH400 trans, for $800. It's got a 6" lift kit, plus a nice set of aftermarket centerline wheels, and decent offroad tires. He's taken the engine and trans for his project, and has a buyer for the rust free Surburban for $500, so he's in cheap on engine and trans.
#4
10-22-2011, 07:15 PM
how do i find a doner car and on craigslist do i look for the whole car or just the trans/engine
#5
10-22-2011, 07:27 PM
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Portland, Or
Posts: 9,097
I enter the max amount in the appropriate box on a search. I search the cars for sale section, but I only look at private sales, not dealers. When searching I look at every car that has the engine and trans I might want, so a search would be for "Chevrolet". If that didn't find me anything, then I go with models, like "Camaro", or "Chevelle" "Impala" "Nova", etc.
Last edited by 1971BB427; 10-23-2011 at 08:45 AM.
#6
10-22-2011, 07:31 PM
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Portland, Or
Posts: 9,097
Here's a sample of what I found locally when I entered a max of $1500 and the search word "Chevrolet". Tons of candidates that would have engines and trans that work in a 81 Camaro:
portland cars & trucks - by owner classifieds "chevrolet" - craigslist
Don't rule out half ton 2wd trucks, as they often have 4 bolt main engines that are great!
portland cars & trucks - by owner classifieds "chevrolet" - craigslist
Don't rule out half ton 2wd trucks, as they often have 4 bolt main engines that are great!
#9
10-23-2011, 09:36 PM
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Portland, Or
Posts: 9,097
There are many. What kind of parts? National Parts Depot has a good selection of stock repro parts, but some parts can be found at your local parts house too.
#10
10-24-2011, 08:39 PM
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Culver, Oregon
Posts: 415
Welcome to the forum! Craigs list and learn to use your search engine on your computer. You can type in things as broad as " 1981 camaro dash" hit search and you would be surprized what comes up. For other parts try ebay.