Question please how much does a non original engine affect value?
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,753
Likes: 721
From: Lafayette Louisiana
Question please how much does a non original engine affect value?
Question please: no right or wrong answer and many variables and many different buyers with different values plus restro mods are a whole another ball game. However, here goes.
So generally speaking how much do you think not having the original engine and transmission in a C3 decrease fair market value in today's world? (Assume equal paint, equal acceptable mechanicals, and ignore color for the moment)
Ok my 2 cents: on the chrome bumpers I would guess $5K on the base ones and maybe $10K on big blocks and the high end ones.
On the mid year C3's, maybe no impact or little
On the 78 to 82's, do not know.
Thoughts?
So generally speaking how much do you think not having the original engine and transmission in a C3 decrease fair market value in today's world? (Assume equal paint, equal acceptable mechanicals, and ignore color for the moment)
Ok my 2 cents: on the chrome bumpers I would guess $5K on the base ones and maybe $10K on big blocks and the high end ones.
On the mid year C3's, maybe no impact or little
On the 78 to 82's, do not know.
Thoughts?
Popular Reply
Feb 25, 2026, 06:52 PM
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,814
Likes: 1,723
From: Summerville SC
Maybe a 78-82 car without the original engine might have an increase in value. I have a 78 without the original engine and that's the story I told my wife. And I am sticking with it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,103
Likes: 802
From: Massapequa Park NY
Speaking specifically for the chrome bumper cars:
I feel it cuts the price across the board 40%. Example. L71 in perfect restored condition, maybe $100k. Non original Motor, $60k.
Otherwise people wouldn’t spend thousands extra on making fake stamped cars. If it only increased value by 10k nobody would do it. That’s the reason checking for restamped engines is such a big deal.
One exception is a really amazing pro touring or similar type high end custom.
Another type of exception might be some type of ZL1 tribute. Just by virtue of the valuable nature of any ZL1 engine, that could raise the “original” value. So exceptions exist.
I feel it cuts the price across the board 40%. Example. L71 in perfect restored condition, maybe $100k. Non original Motor, $60k.
Otherwise people wouldn’t spend thousands extra on making fake stamped cars. If it only increased value by 10k nobody would do it. That’s the reason checking for restamped engines is such a big deal.
One exception is a really amazing pro touring or similar type high end custom.
Another type of exception might be some type of ZL1 tribute. Just by virtue of the valuable nature of any ZL1 engine, that could raise the “original” value. So exceptions exist.
Last edited by ed427vette; Feb 25, 2026 at 05:43 PM.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 395
Likes: 52
From: wilmington Ma
Any time I see a 80-82 with original everything they are asking a lot more than a non original motor car , I think it matters quite a bit. Personally I prefer stock my 81 is all factory , but I have no disrespect to a guy that wants to hot rod and put a hot motor in his car 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 8,780
Likes: 1,936
From: LONG ISLAND
2025 C3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Depends on the car & what this rest of it is all about, some cars up to as much as 50% or more & others nothing at all. 
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Race Director
Joined: Mar 2016
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From: Napa Valley California
In my opinion, it all depends on what you want in one of these cars.
If you want something all factory original and your plan is to keep it that way, then it might be worth more to you as the buyer.
But if you plan to build something that performs and handles better than a factory original car then it probably adds little or nothing to the cars value.
Now if your looking at the class of Corvettes where the car is an extremely rare vehicle because of its options, then yes it will greatly increase its value if the car is truly numbers matching.
If you want something all factory original and your plan is to keep it that way, then it might be worth more to you as the buyer.
But if you plan to build something that performs and handles better than a factory original car then it probably adds little or nothing to the cars value.
Now if your looking at the class of Corvettes where the car is an extremely rare vehicle because of its options, then yes it will greatly increase its value if the car is truly numbers matching.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 165
Likes: 21
From: Las Vegas, NV
As others have said, what that "%" increase in value is depends on many factors....and is very subjective.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,444
Likes: 367
I have a 69 convertible and it has a Ramjet 350 EFI and the new TKX 5 speed . For me I would never go back to OEM I don't really care about OEM but that's me I know some guys it matters too.
But for me it's all about the restomod
But for me it's all about the restomod