When I say you need to do the math what I am talking about is the cost whole project. Yes you can find a long block for $2600 (“Short block” is just the Block, crank, connecting rods and pistons all assembled. A ”Long block” is a short block with heads and a Cam and the rest of the valve train. )
Long Block $2600
Hours to install 16? $90 Per hour? $1440.
Gaskets to assemble the motor, New plugs and wire, hoses, Oil, Antifreeze, Radiator flush, Motor mounts $600?
SO you are going to be at least $4500 deep in the repair.
If the car was beat like you said how far away is the transmission rebuild?

 

thats true ,my advice only goes .bye the car being in good shape the rest of it ,i know your not going to find a 50.000 mile car for $5500.00 in la .but you may have to traval a bit ,graigs list ,then there is the rearend to may have got weak too,i dont think i ever got a car from friend, that was not ,older in age meeing gram or grampa,there out there ,while i dont see the 50,000 mile cars coomeing down hear ,there out there ,like said i would have paid $4000 for the ss with .$87.000 as long as it was taken care of an one or 2 owner,i know where you live cant buy a base model for that in LA ,so where do you come from if your there ..l shcool ,i seen slim pickens on z28 an no ss ,but do out in the coun. try search ,out of city ,its all location with some of us