looking to update my drivetrain
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Instructor
Joined: Jan 2014
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looking to update my drivetrain
ok guys here goes. im looking to update my drivetrain. the car isnt stock so removing the big block and th400 is what ive come to after thinking it over for awhile now. my question is what is the value of a 1970 454 with original heads and period correct block. the block has been machined at some point so the serial numbers arent legible. it has been re sealed and the carburator has been rebuilt with viton seals. the th400 is the original that came with this car. it is a calif big block car. here are a couple of pictures of the engine.
thanks for all your help and input guys
thanks for all your help and input guys
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2010
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From: melbourne florida
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
what is wrong with it? what do you want to do with it? big block cars hold a better value than the others so if it needs to be rebuilt i would move that direction.
Thread Starter
Instructor
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nothing is wrong with it it runs and drives perfectly since it was resealed and had the carb tuned. i want to put in a forced induction ls based motor in it. my car is a full widebody car so its not original. here is a picture of the car.
here is a picture of the car. its an older one from the day i picked it up.
here is a picture of the car. its an older one from the day i picked it up.
Thread Starter
Instructor
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yes but unfortunatly most of those dont fit under the hood. im pretty set on going to an ls. i have one waiting to go in just need to get the turbos or supercharger for it. so back to the original question whats a fair price to ask for this setup? either together or separated?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Watkinsville, GA and Glen Cove, NY
I would keep it if you can. Granted your car would be an expensive one to go back to stock, but whatever you get for the motor and trans will be less than how much more it would bring to sale if you ever sold your car. Love your car by the way. I know you have the LS already but I sure think popping the hood and seeing a built big block beats an LS any day of the week. JMHO. Good luck in whatever you do.
I guess if the numbers aren't readable then it doesn't matter as much to value.
Bill
I guess if the numbers aren't readable then it doesn't matter as much to value.
Bill
Thread Starter
Instructor
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so basically what your saying is for resale value the car is better off with the big block in it as a widebody versus swapping in a boosted ls and making it a fully modded car? my end goal is to sell it sometime this year once i get the slight amount of body work fixed, new wheels and tires, sidepipes, paint, and get the electrical issues taken care of.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 4,000
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From: New York
That motor trans combo is worth what someone is willing to pay for it. But you may be better off parting out the items of it that are correct for that year , the block not being part of that assembly as it has no numbers on it to prove its originality..
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2014
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yeah unfortunately when the motor was rebuilt whoever did it shaved off the serial number the only number that is readable is a 7. does anyone know of a way to bring the serial number back or is that a big No No.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Fremont CA
I say go for it! LS swap go to the LS1 Tech forum or look at what the C5/6 guys are doing. The iron blocks are way more reliable going under boost. The HP levels are pretty incredible but for longevity I would use a quality rotating assembly. Even a cheap LS build will be north of $3K for long term reliability. You should be able to earn some of that money parting out what you have.
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i already have a built ls motor in the garage. i was going to put it in a sand rail project but sold it as a roller. got offered a price i couldnt refuse. so i have a 6.0 with callis crank and rods, 9.0 turbo pistons, 243 cnc ported heads. Or i can just keep it for another project.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2010
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From: melbourne florida
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
i find it hard to imagine this could ever be a break even deal. the more you sink into it the more underwater you will be. now if you end up keeping the car then go for it but if you want to flip it , i would cut the wide body off and see if you can sell that then sell the rest of the car as a project. the only value i see in the car is its a factory big block.
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yeah tearing the widebody off isnt going to happen. i like the fact that its a wide body its why i bought it in the first place and its unique. it was done by a shop in vegas in the late 70's early 80's called skorpion fiberglass i have only seen one other like it with the same back end as mine. if i wanted a factory looking corvette i would have bought one that was factory. i wouldnt know how to price this as a part out. so looks like ill have to do some more research.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Fremont CA
i already have a built ls motor in the garage. i was going to put it in a sand rail project but sold it as a roller. got offered a price i couldnt refuse. so i have a 6.0 with callis crank and rods, 9.0 turbo pistons, 243 cnc ported heads. Or i can just keep it for another project.
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how many miles are on them?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2008
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From: Mobile Alabama
Well the car is far from stock, and not likely to go back that way.
So.... It is worth what someone is willing to pay. A numbers matching engine in a wide-body may not make much difference as the number match folks normally want everything stock. I look at it this way, if it is completed at a high level of quality, someone will want to buy it no matter which way you chose. But, you rarely will make money on a restoration/rebuild, it is usually cheaper to buy one complete. I think you should decide if it is worth it to you for your satisfaction. Mine was numbers matching and now has a LS and 6speed because I want it that way. I don't care if it is worth more or less now, I built it for ME to drive and enjoy.
So.... It is worth what someone is willing to pay. A numbers matching engine in a wide-body may not make much difference as the number match folks normally want everything stock. I look at it this way, if it is completed at a high level of quality, someone will want to buy it no matter which way you chose. But, you rarely will make money on a restoration/rebuild, it is usually cheaper to buy one complete. I think you should decide if it is worth it to you for your satisfaction. Mine was numbers matching and now has a LS and 6speed because I want it that way. I don't care if it is worth more or less now, I built it for ME to drive and enjoy.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 235
Likes: 8
Well the car is far from stock, and not likely to go back that way.
So.... It is worth what someone is willing to pay. A numbers matching engine in a wide-body may not make much difference as the number match folks normally want everything stock. I look at it this way, if it is completed at a high level of quality, someone will want to buy it no matter which way you chose. But, you rarely will make money on a restoration/rebuild, it is usually cheaper to buy one complete. I think you should decide if it is worth it to you for your satisfaction. Mine was numbers matching and now has a LS and 6speed because I want it that way. I don't care if it is worth more or less now, I built it for ME to drive and enjoy.
So.... It is worth what someone is willing to pay. A numbers matching engine in a wide-body may not make much difference as the number match folks normally want everything stock. I look at it this way, if it is completed at a high level of quality, someone will want to buy it no matter which way you chose. But, you rarely will make money on a restoration/rebuild, it is usually cheaper to buy one complete. I think you should decide if it is worth it to you for your satisfaction. Mine was numbers matching and now has a LS and 6speed because I want it that way. I don't care if it is worth more or less now, I built it for ME to drive and enjoy.