It seems unanimous that it's a good call to keep the old girl running with a salvage 3.8 engine. After much consideration, I agree. I am trying to find one now. My plan is to find a salvage Z28 or SS and make mine a clone. All the parts will be there and my new best friend at work will do the project for next to nothing.

Thanks folks for being my voice of reason.

 

Keep us posted, sounds like the plan!

 

Just to update, I am still looking for a low mileage salvage motor and after the month long debacle of trying to buy a Z28 on Craigslist, I decided to just spend the money upgrading mine and I'll make it a RS clone. It wont cost more than $700 to find the body kit. Wings West makes one, but the 3 piece spoiler is gonna be a PITA to find. I'm currently looking for the correct rims as well. I'll start a project thread as soon as the first parts are purchased.

 

Well there is your problem right there! Don't spend money on frivolity like a $2k stereo when you don't have the car working right and reliably!

What is currently wrong with the car besides the engine?

 

just so you know the 3.8 does not have to come out of a camaro. from what ive read it has to be a series lll 3800 block.

 

It's not that the car was running poorly and I put a expensive sound system in it. I bought the car in 2006 and it ran great for 4 years until the tensioner pulley seized up and tossed the serpentine belt. I didn't realize it until the car started sputtering and I noticed that the temp guage was pegged. Goodbye main bearing.

I found a 2000 V6 in a junkyard and the odometer has 72k on it. I bought the motor after seeing it run and my car will be back on the road Tuesday.

 

You want to reseal in intake before you install the used motor and include plastic elbow. At 72K the intake has most likely not been done yet. It will need soon. Its a simple job while the motor is out, it is huge PITA when it is in the car. Headers would be a good upgrade at this time.