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I recently was the lucky winner at an estate sale on a '58 C1, #419 off the line. Problem is the original 283 was swapped for a clunky 327 sometime in the 60s so I can't restore numbers matching and figured I would go the resto-mod route.
I'm looking for recommendations on the best engine to put in this thing with the goal of obviously having a bit of extra power but more worried about not messing up weight ratios, and definitely not trying to build a street racer. It also has a clunky 3-speed Muncie in it now and I would like to get the best transmission possible for my new best friend .
Really looking forward to joining the community! Any and all information on restoring this vehicle will be greatly appreciated.
-Ryan in KC Color scheme it started out, and I'm taking it back to.
First off welcome and very nice find. What is a modern engine, is it an LS, an LT1 or 4, or is it a nicely built small block built with today's technology, or even a 572". That's a question you alone will have to decide. I personally think any is a good choice. In my 66 GTO I have a stock LS1 with a 4L60e transmission. I have a 415" LS3 for my 61 I'm building again with a 4L60E. These are my choices but I would consider any correctly built engine to be a good option. If you are going the LS route it can be a little pricey. Some look down on the 90s version of the LT1 but with the opti spark swapped out for a distributor or a coil on plug setup it would make a great engine. Good luck and keep posting.
There’s nothing wrong with a 327, one of the best engines made and can be made to look like a 283. If the engine is good and strong, I’d clean it up and go with it.
The 327 is just as clunky as the 283, and is one of the finest engines GM ever built. You are incorrect in saying you can not restore the car to numbers matching. Just find a 283 with correct dates and HP designation.
There are lots of choices out there, you need to decide how much money you want to spend. A complete restomod will run $30,000 plus. If you want just a new motor and trans, a 383 crate motor and Tremec 5-speed will cost about 7500. Rebuild the 327 for 3000, four speed another 1500. No matter what you decide it will always cost more than you originally think. It really boils down to what you want and how much you can spend!
I don't know what the 'best' engine and 'best' transmission would be. Depends on how the car is to be used: static display in a museum, daily driver, drag racer, road racer, trailer queen, etc.
Have never heard of a 327 being described as 'clunky' in my 4+ decades of wrenching on cars......learn something every day!
So this one is the 250hp 327, and looks to have just been tossed in when the original owner dropped a valve on the 283. Also for some reason swapped the 4 speed for a 3-speed muncie. We did just change out the distributor to a new HEI and so I am going to try and get it all properly tuned before making a decision.
However, since I'm doing the restomod and not trying to save $ but rather have the best car, I'm thinking an LS is the way to go.
First off welcome and very nice find. What is a modern engine, is it an LS, an LT1 or 4, or is it a nicely built small block built with today's technology, or even a 572". That's a question you alone will have to decide. I personally think any is a good choice. In my 66 GTO I have a stock LS1 with a 4L60e transmission. I have a 415" LS3 for my 61 I'm building again with a 4L60E. These are my choices but I would consider any correctly built engine to be a good option. If you are going the LS route it can be a little pricey. Some look down on the 90s version of the LT1 but with the opti spark swapped out for a distributor or a coil on plug setup it would make a great engine. Good luck and keep posting.
Thank you very much! I'm definitely thinking the LS route is the way to go and going to work with some local builders on which one is the best fit for my baby. I obviously would like more power, but i don't want something so big that it hurts the integrity of this older car.
I will definitely keep posting, loving this community!
The 327 is just as clunky as the 283, and is one of the finest engines GM ever built. You are incorrect in saying you can not restore the car to numbers matching. Just find a 283 with correct dates and HP designation.
Really?? I thought it had to be matching like to the VIN, not just correct dates? Is there a resource online i could enter my cars details and see about engines available that could make me NCRS compliant should i choose to go that route?
Congrats...love the greenwall tires. Any thoughts of getting it running as is before diving in ?
Oh she runs Just hasn't ran since the 60s so i think a lot of the issues I am having (extremely stiff throttle, mis-fires, dies at idle, etc...) can be cured with some TLC, a nice Tune, and stretching it's wings for a little while.
Since it's not the original engine though, I just figured why not go with a new LS, 4/5 speed transmission, and upgrade the back-end if I am also plannig to switch to disc, power steering, etc...
07-22-2019, 10:19 PM
Modern Engine Recommendation for '58 C1 Restomod
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