She lives again~

Finally, jeez.

I'll be back with pictures and a video clip, and figure out exactly how much it cost a bit later, after I've had a chance to wash it.

 

Alright guys, here's ya are.

Here's the engine bay with the stock 305:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...ny/car/008.jpg

And here's the new 350, installed and ready to go:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6.../car/001-1.jpg

Yeah you can barely tell the difference, eh?

And an extra treat, here's a video clip for you guys:
car :: 002-1.mp4 video by SaintEbony - Photobucket

The total cost... well I haven't totaled up exactly how much, but it was around $10,000 all told. I know it was way too much, but it's done now.

 

I know you had some troubles along the way, but I really hope you are happy with it. That is a lot of money for that type of swap! I hope the new 350 has a whole lot better performance.

 

$10K and the engine bay looks almost the same, good thing you told us the pictures were different.

 

Yeah... I don't want to rain on your parade either - because I've been reading this thread for months and months, and having gone through this, I know how happy you are right now - but for ten THOUSAND dollars, I would have wanted a cleaner engine bay.

Maybe that's next on your list, though I know it was so, so much easier to clean after I pulled my old 305 out.

At any rate, enjoy it, take care of it, and keep us updated!

 

Well, here's how it all broke down if ya curious. I don't have all of the invoices together so these are rough numbers, and bear in mind I had a shop rebuild the engine and install it- we really only disassembled and reassembled it ourselves.

$2200 for an '88 L98 engine with >100,000 miles.
$1500 for rebuild including new engine block
$2000 for new cylinder heads and camshaft
$500 miscellaneous parts (gaskets, bolts and stuff)
$3800 for the swap, including new water pump, air pump, flex plate, oil cooler, and some other stuff.

At any rate, I'm s'posed to change the oil and filter after 200 km (120 miles) and I am going to have that done today.

I'm hoping to see a slight improvement in gas mileage once the engine is broken in- so far I am averaging 13 mpg.

The thing that strikes me most about driving it now is just how effortless everything feels- I haven't launched it, I haven't done burnouts or even floored it yet. But even just normal driving, I'll hit the gas and it accelerates so easily it's like the car's asking me "What, is that -all- you want?"

Well, and how loud it is. I pulled up next to a semi truck and could still easily hear my engine over his. I drowned out an LS3 Corvette. And I don't even bother turning the radio on 'cause I've got a much much nicer soundtrack without it

 

Ouch!

Picture of my 350 TPI swap and it was a lot less then yours.

 

Well for 10k I hope you enjoy your swap and that there are no problems!

However, I do think you paid too much, and I'm talking about the engine.

My brand new 350 ZZ4 crate motor was 4,000 dollars. Which is basically what you paid for for an old engine and rebuilding it.

But it doesn't change that you now have a great new mouse with plenty of fun ahead!

 

I know I paid way too much- knowing what I do now I probably would have just rebuilt the 305 and been done with it. But it's all done now and can't be undone, so rather than wish I hadn't spent all of that money, I'm gonna enjoy what it got me.

 

that is an excellent attitude. I see two sayings coming into play here

can't see the forest for the trees- this has happened to all of us when we're in the midst of a frustrating situation

monday morning quarterbacking-- people who come out of the woodwork with their "helpful advice" after the fact.

Ebony, you now can be an informed voice of reason when the next poster asks questions about the best path.