427435

As some of you may remember, I'm in the process of having my 1967 chassis rebuilt. New frame and suspension from Vette Products and checked over original engine. Probably going to have 25-30 K in it when done. Hoping the value of the car will go up accordingly. Also looking forward to driving it again and listening to that engine run up to redline (or near readline) through the side exhausts.

I was reading the current thread about upgrading a small block car to a 396 or other BB. Got me to thinking. Blowing up the original engine would probably reduce the value of the car $50,000 or more.

Maybe, I should just put in a rebuilt 454 (or ?) with the 3x2 manifold and store the original engine. Sounds like that can be done for $5-6,000.

Would that be a smart thing to do???

leif.anderson93

If you don't plan on abusing the original drivetrain when the car is complete and driveable, there is zero reason to "bag" the original engine. These cars are pretty bullet proof if driven in a reasonable fashion and serviced on a regular basis. Save the money for the 454 and enjoy your fabulous car

Gary's '66

Well stated!

Gary

Frankie the Fink

I run both original engines in my '61 and '63...you can have plenty of fun in these cars without running them to redline. The rev limiter on my '61 is set at 5800 RPM and on the '63 at 4800 RPM (Pertronix ignitions). The former is a solid lifter motor and the later a base 250 hp motor....

Roger Walling

Quote,

"Blowing up the original engine would probably reduce the value of the car $50,000 or more."

It would like to find the guy who would want to spend $50,000 for the original engine!
I have this bridge in Brooklyn...

427435

Not talking about the price of the engine, but the price difference between a car with a genuine L71 and one without the original engine.

tuxnharley

How hard are you planning on driving it? Unless you plan on racing it and totally abusing it to the point of 7000 rpm "hand gernade" failures with pistons blowing off heads and rods through the block, any engine failure should be repairable for far less than $50k, thus retaining the original engine.

Cylinders can be sleeved, blocks and heads can be welded and refinished, etc.

I'm not sure I understand what you are so worried about? You can always repair the engine for far less than your thresh hold value of perceived monetary loss.

Plasticman

I think you guys missed the point...........he is looking for a bigger engine (and a way to justify it's expense).

Plasticman

tuxnharley

Ah - there's no way to justify the money we spend on these cars - at least not in economic terms!

Mr D.

You are a member of a very small club.

427435

rfn026

He's going to tell his wife that this is what all the gurus suggested that he do with the engine.

Richard Newton

DansYellow66

If more power is the objective - go 496 or somewhere up around 540. That would be fun but probably not going to happen for around $6,000.

tuxnharley

looks like I misunderstood the primary objective - my bad!

63Corvette

YES, Do buy and use a "crate motor" of whatever HP you can afford. Do bag up your original and whenever you decide to sell it, simply make it available to the buyer. Drive your NOM car "like you stole it".