I have a chance to buy a 97 Z28 that needs an engine. I'm having sticker shock over the cost of an exact replacement engine. It seems that it was a 1 year - engine. What are my options? What can I interchange? Gees, it seems GM was trying something different every year, every model! ie. no distributor, reverse water pumps, aluminum heads... I finding out why the car is so cheap!
I'm not concerned about performance, the car would be for my 19 year old son.

 

A complete engine does not come cheap, regardless of type. Any LT1 will work in your car, but you may have to swap some parts, such as the timing cover and exhaust manifolds from the one in your car to the new one. Why not rebuild the one you have now? The whole car is basically computer controlled, including the transmission, so this presents another problem. A regular small block won't fit without doing surgery to the car.