R66

R66 is basically a stock plain jane car with the original drive train - 300 hp 327, M20, 336:1 gears.

I have noticed the plain jane cars are about $10,000 less in value than the HP cars in the same condition.

I have a 66 corvette alum intake on the 68RS, a pair of alum valve covers, a M21 trans, and 373 gears. I could buy the chrome fill tube, dip stick, and misc. pieces to dress the engine as a high HP model (340 or 350). Add the HP cam and have a clone for less than $1K or $2K.

Seems everyone want the HP cars.

Would a clone be more desirable and worth more than the original car without restamping the drive train and lying my butt off at the time of a sale?

How much would it add or deduct to the value of the car?

Just thoughts. Thanks.

Ron

Nowhere Man

Just adding a intake and a sticker prolly won't make it worth any more money. Just more eye candy when you open the hood.

Frankie the Fink

If you're not gonna sell why do you give a hoot what everybody thinks or some perceived bump in value ?

99% of people won't know a 250hp from a 340hp mill, I have the base motor in my split window and took all that fake crap off (air cleaner, 340hp carb and valve covers). Most people look at my dual snorkel air cleaner and stamped steel valve covers and go, "Wow! A 327 Turbojet!".

The few who know anything will spot the silicone 'boob job' additions all day long...

MikeM

It would absolutely be worth more to some buyers. Buyers like me and there are plenty like me. Might even be the difference between a tire kicker and a buyer.

As far as anyone going "WOW" at the open hood on my base engine '65, it's never happened and the glances quickly go to the rest of the car.

Besides, if you make the engine changes you propose, your car will run and sound like a real Corvette instead of an old man's car, at least while you own it. Never mind what anyone else thinks.

OC-1

327/300 with 3:36 best combo ever....

on a good running 327/300 you can balance a lit cigarette ,upright, on the center of the afb. good enough grunt to please most folks.

nothing wrong with switching parts but you'd probably make more by selling the parts. Though I'd replace the intake with a stock al version just for the weight savings. Valve cover switch is almost mandatory.

the market is a mix of preferences, please one segment and turn off the other.

bb62

There are a lot more internal changes that differentiate the 300HP from the 340HP cars than what you seem to consider. The compression is different (10.5 versus 11.25). Are you really going to consider changing the pistons? The heads are different because the valves are larger in the higher HP cars. The cam will require solid lifters - it is not just a simple cam switch.

Sure people are willing to pay more for the higher HP cars, but creating a fake clone is likely to hurt the value of your car, not enhance it.

MikeM

68hemi

If you do it RIGHT mill the proper heads for the compression and valves, cam, intake, carb, valve covers, etc. and market it as the original engine upgraded to 340 h.p. specs you will have a larger buyer pool and easier sell. Keep the original parts for the guy that SAYS he would rather have it original. He will take the parts but likely will never convert it back. You will probably get an extra $5K at todays prices which may be the same as the cost to do it all. If you enjoy the difeerence while you own it then it won't cost you anything in the end.

Frankie the Fink

So - spend a couple of thou to make back maybe 3 or 4 and screw up an original setup...
Yup, makes sense to me....in which case, make it a fuelie and go for the big $$$ fake bucks. Its your car and I don't really car but others can be awful free with YOUR money.

68hemi

If you do it the way I laid it out above you don't screw anything up. You will need different heads and by milling them for the compression you can bolt the original heads back on with no problem. All other things are bolt on/in items. You don't re stamp it, you market it as an upgraded original engine. I don't think there is much money to be made but the OP and MOST buyers will like the additional power and eye candy. With the original parts included upon sale everybody should be happy.

MikeM

Thanks for the words of encouragement. I don't regret a minute changing it over. Formerly powered by this putt-putt 327/300. But I didn't change the OE, just built a new engine out of the right parts I had laying around.

I have less than $2K cost in the complete engine and build up. Paint is mostly original so no extra cost there.

MikeM

I have this here base engine '65 model. Three speed. Less than 50K actual miles. Nobody looks under the hood. It runs good but doesn't run like a Corvette should nor does it sound like one.

I have a hopped up 400 SB sitting here on the stand with FI on it and a spare four speed in the corner. I'm just waiting on the ambition to swap out the OE and make it like I (and many others) would want it.

R66

Actually, I love the car as it is. Starts and runs flawlessly without the challenges of the high performance engines I have owned and built in the past. Turn the key and it starts first turn hot or cold, temp 180 cruising in town or on the highway at 90+, good mileage for a 60s car, geared perfectly for cruising. Not a tire smoker, but will light the skinny rubber up if I want.

Happy with an old man's car after years of seeking that tenth of a second improvement.

I am looking at the resale on the car after I die to improve the value and market appeal as I am sure the wife will not keep it. As you said, the EYE CANDY thing is very apparent at car shows and the THUMP, THUMP, THUMP is still the engine sound most hot rodders of all ages love. It is not hard to achieve and I have most of the parts left from many years of racing.

Think I should let the wife's boyfriend worry about it, I won't care.

6T5RUSH

MikeM,

I DO like your collection AND your approach to please yourself. Think we went to differerent schools together

I certainly would love to have a 400 small block sitting on a stand, itching to play with. Everything I've read on this forum on 400 small blocks...tons of grunt! DZauto planted/educated me on the merits of this transplant.

I mothballed my 300 HP block, factory M20Muncue & 3.36:1 rear.

I agree with those who believe a factory dressed higher HP engine will be more desirable upon selling (knowing the original pieces come with the sale).

Ok R66, back on your concerns...go for it! It's your car, dress her the way you want.

Jim
In God We Trust!

Frankie the Fink

These threads are funny.....

Guess I'll have to jazz up my poor, lamentable base motor split window so some stranger who doesn't know squat will be ga-ga over it...

The same crowd that gets the $2,500 paint jobs clearly haven't priced a 340hp air cleaner and valve covers.... Let alone the internal mods...

MikeM

Paint jobs aside, some of us have the parts on the shelf and some don't have the scratch necessary to buy them.

Or, looking at it another way, if a guy saves $17,500 on a paint job, he has all the money he needs to install any practical engine he wants in his car and nothing left for it to run no better or look any better than grandpa's old straight Buick.

I'm merely the messenger. You decide.

DSR

I would leave the car the way it is if your selling it. Just offer the parts at extra cost. Or put the parts on, drive the car and have fun instead!