where you at? sounds like a good project for me. lol. for the right price id take it if it didnt have to drive across the country to get it.

 

I'm in Maryland. Selling the car would be an option. Mind you...it has nearly $2,000 in the sound system alone.







The head unit is a Pioneer Premium DEH-P980BT.



...and there is Apine Type R speakers in the doors.




Like I said...I put a few dollars into this car.

 

wow, nice, well your on the other side of the country from me. lol

 

I agree, put the salvage motor in there. It will pay for itself big time as you won't get probably more than a grand as it is. Unless you want to part it all out and keep what spares you want to. Keep it and nuild up a GM crate engine for it while you drive the new(to you) one!

 

I lost the engine in my 99, the #5 rod bearing spun. I could still drive it but it was making alot of noise. As it turned out I damaged my crank but I think it can be fixed.

OK I was able to grab an engine that had 1/2 the miles of my car for $500, $200 more for the new gaskets and a couple of late nights and I was back and running with a like new car.

There are alot of cars you can get an engine from. 96-2005 Sereis II 3.8L engines are all the same as far as the long block goes. Things like tin ware, oil filter mount, manifolds and balancer are different but that is minor stuff. The swap is pretty easy you can leave the motor in one piece if you drop it out the bottom and have all the wiring hooked up going out and also back in.

I too am looking for a nice Z or SS but I have no plans for getting rid of my 3.8L any time soon. I love the V6 for cruising and it has a smoother ride than my Wife's 2000 Z28.

Massey

 

I appreciate the advice, but if I blow my downpayment on fixing my V6, I'll have nothing to go towards a Z28 or SS. It IS a tough position to be in. I love my little base V6 car, but I am determined to own a V8. If I can get $900-$1100 for my car (without sound system) I will use it towards getting my new ride. $2000 firm if the ear bleeding system goes with it.


I did find this on a car lot on Saturday....




It's a 2001 SS for $8995. I may end up grabbing this, but I can't get used to the front end on the 1998-2002 cars. Probably just because I've owned a 1997 for over 4 years, I just can't get used to that catfish look...and because my best friend owns a 2002 convertable and he'd rag on me for getting the same "style" car ater some of our heated debates on which front end looks better on the 4th gens! It does look sharp in white, though.

 

Well if you have a rod knocking you will be lucky to get $500 for it with the new owner knowing that the car needs a new engine. You can throw in the stereo and maybe get a couple hundred more. If the new owner knows how to work on cars he will only be out the cost of the new engine, if he doesn't then the average cost of installing an engine is $3000 mainly for the labor alone. IMHO you will be better off being patient, putting an engine in your car then trading up or saving up. Your car with a new engine will be worth $2000+ and that is with a $700 investment. Just my thoughts tho.

Massey

 

Well....the engine all but gave up today. It's reeking of burnt oil and the annoying knock has a new shudder when accelerating, so I got it home and parked it. I recently started a new job, so no dealership will touch me for financing. Now for the good news.

I discovered that a guy in shipping has a really cool dad...he restores muscle cars. After telling him my dillemma, he offered me 2 choices. He would charge me $300 labor for a direct engine swap plus the cost of the 3.8 V6 OR charge me $1600 for a 4bolt main 350 swap with carb. After telling him that it would be a problem he re-assured me that he'd done it many times before with 4th gen V6 Camaros. He informed me that it would fail emissions every time, but with a low profile air filter, I can still use the stock hood. I am intrigued, but would love to hear from the more knowledgable members on this one.

 

I'd just do the straight up swap with a good used motor. Simple and quick and easy for troubleshooting if you have problems later. Plus it's not the best case to be financing cars 8+ years old. Banks really don't want to w/o A+ credit and the interest rates at buy here pay here places, you'll buy the car twice over. I'd get that car of yours running good again and drive it, save some coin and when you have 2500 or more, sell your car for $2k and then hit up Craigslist for a $4500 or more Z-28 or SS. I got my SS with rebuilt motor for $4350 just like I said and happy as can be.

 

Go the stock motor route. You will have a hard time selling the car with an old school 350 in it. Plus your little V6 will prolly put out the same power as the older 350 whould. I have now raced 1 92 Mustang GT and beat him out and out and then a 87 Firebird GTA challenged me, TPI 350 took me at first but could not catch me once I passed him. My car is a STOCK 3.8 out of a 2001 Pontiac Boneville. $300 for the labor + $500-$600 for the engine is a steal.

Massey