hey guys iv got a 1988 camaro its in pretty good condition iv put about 900$ into it since i bought it in july just to get it running again. iv replaced the fuel pump, rotor button, dist. cap, plugs, wires, air filter, and trunk shocks but im not getting the performance i expect from a camaro. suure its a v6 but still i feel like my four cylinder nissan was faster than this.

i really just wanna know if i should try to replace my engine with a newer used one build one buy a new one or what. i dont have a lot of money to blow but i know investing in my car would benefit me for a long time. should i just put a cold air intake on it with a better cat-back flomaster exhaust? i wanna increase my horsespower without breaking my bank. and id much rather it not take forever for me to get it upgraded. any advice would be appreciated.

 

Yes, your 4 cyl. Nissan was faster than your 2.8 Camaro. You want to replace your engine with a "new one" what? Same size V6 (just as slow as you have now), or a V8?

 

i was thinking about a used 350 engine from a newer camaro. i really don't want a gas hog though, i'm up for any engine that would be faster and more reliable than this one.

 

you will need to factor in a new transmission as well

Also, when buying a "used" engine please understand that is exactly what you are buying, a "used engine".

You need to look into your soul and honestly ask what you want and expect, Then, you need to look at your bank account and determine if your honest expectations are in line with your bank account

If you just want to be able to say that you have a V8 in that car then you can find some junk engine/tranny combos and probably drop it in yourself for $1,000 plus incidentals (fluids, wiring etc)

If you want it to be reliable or actually work well then that's a horse of a different color and the first digit should be at least the number 3 with 3 zero's after it.

you're going to need a new exhaust whether you drop in junk or a good engine. maybe the junk would have the restrictive factory manifolds and you could connect the restrictive sixer exhaust to it. I'd suggest adding $500 to the amount for some shorty's/ y pipe and a dynomax cat back. If you want a bigger name and stainless then add more $$$

So, do you want reliability and performance? Or, do you just want to drop in someone else' problem and don't care how it runs and don't care if you are performing troubleshooting and repairs every weekend.

Only you know the answers to that. And FWIW, the $900 that you mention must have some great value to you because you posted it. The first thing that I thought when you mentioned $900 was............is that all?????

So, if $900 is a tidy sum to you then I don't suggest an engine swap.

You have learned a lesson in purchasing the correct product to meet your application and expectations. The sixer you bought was less money because it was a sixer. it is far less expensive to buy the correct product from jumpstreet vs rebuilding it. That holds true with homes, computers, vehicles, boats etc.

The number one complaint from first time boat buyers is they buy underpowered. They'll buy the 90HP outboard vs the 150HP because it's $1500 less.

When it's time to repower or trade up the cost is 3x-4x the cost vs when they were making the initial purchase.

It's more money per sq foot to remodel a home vs building new.

So, it's soul searching and decision time for you. Maybe just maybe that sixer will look good to you for a few more years until you can afford what you really want.

good luck

 

torque is good- thanks for the advice and i think your right i'm just gonna stick with this engine for now. also when i said i invested $900 i was meaning for it to be low because all iv done is put a fuel pump and typical tune up stuff and pay for the car to run in a "normal state." im not looking to be a racer or anything i just wanted it to be fast enough to be fun. i'd still like to fix up the interior, which i must say looks very awesome for how old the car is, and maybe add a RAM AIR Intake and good cat back i want it to "LOOK" nice and bad-***. i know that sounds like a poser talking but id rather it be a show car.

any tips on that would be appreciated.

 

I'd balance the cost with how much value you would get from it. Since it is the 2.8 the resale market will always be low. So, if you really want a louder exhaust then I'd look to the lower price solutions such as Dynomax vs the more costly solutions like magnaflow etc.

With respect to interior, make it a personal challenge. Shop Ebay, craigslist, forums and boneyards and see if you can refresh it for as few dollars as possible. Maybe a used carpet without tears might clean up nicely with a shampoo. You might stumble upon some 4th gen seats or nice 3rd gens to replace the torn and worn seats. Sure, you could spend the big dollars and get new stuff but you won't get back any of that money.

You'd also be surprised what a cheap Maaco paint job does for the resale value as well as how it makes you feel about the car.

 

Depends on your intentions. I prefer not to shop junkyards as most of the time I am dissapointed with what nature has done to whatever part I want. Plus I am a selective buyer, I would have no problem buying certain parts from the yard, but cloth interior parts have to be new for me. Thats the only way to be certain you are getting what you want. Ebay is a terrific option as long as you know what you want.

But, there is a point when you have to ask yourself would it be cheaper just to look at a similar condition V8 3rd gen or 4th gen to buy rather than pour money into what you have now?