Decision time
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 327
Likes: 2
From: se iowa
Decision time
Well guys I've been wondering what I could do to my 1987 c4 to give it a little more punch. The other day things conspired to move the process along. I got the white, sweet smelling cloud out of the back of the car. I've had the car for three years and don't drive it much living in SE IA. Maybe 6k miles in 3 years. Couple times a week when it's nice out maybe and in the garage all winter. I have no desire to take it to the track or anything like that.
My problem is moving forward I'm not sure which way to jump. I have a "mechanic" who put my injectors in and did a fine job with that. He's also swapped a motor into an old nissan 300zx I had. I feel good about his abilities to pull the motor out and put one in. I don't believe he's what I would call an engine builder though.
My Dad said just have the mechanic replace the headgaskets and move on. This is doable but I'm not sure about the rest of the motor. PO said it had been gone through but had no documentation so I have my doubts. I also believe if i go this route it won't be long before I'm looking at the car again wondering how to make it a little quicker.
I thought about fixing the headgasket and selling it to get a c5 but I like this car. It's a copper metallic '87 and I like the way it loooks. If I get a c5 I'll really blend in but with this car it's not real likely I'll ever run into another like it around here.
I was thinking a 383 longblock from somewhere and having him put it it for me. This way all the components are matched. I think an ls motor would be wild but I know there is no one around here that's doing those swaps. I have a tuning shop 1.5 hours from my house to take care of things when I'm done but other than feedback on ebay I'm not sure how to judge a place that would build an engine. There maybe some small shops that do it around here but none that I know of.
Sorry about the book. So basically should I have him put new gaskets in the 350 and maybe put new heads on it since they are off anyway or try to get a 383 from somewhere and have him swap it in. I'm assuming I'll use whatever I need off the l98 to complete the 383 when I get it. Is there anyplace doing ls swaps?
My problem is moving forward I'm not sure which way to jump. I have a "mechanic" who put my injectors in and did a fine job with that. He's also swapped a motor into an old nissan 300zx I had. I feel good about his abilities to pull the motor out and put one in. I don't believe he's what I would call an engine builder though.
My Dad said just have the mechanic replace the headgaskets and move on. This is doable but I'm not sure about the rest of the motor. PO said it had been gone through but had no documentation so I have my doubts. I also believe if i go this route it won't be long before I'm looking at the car again wondering how to make it a little quicker.
I thought about fixing the headgasket and selling it to get a c5 but I like this car. It's a copper metallic '87 and I like the way it loooks. If I get a c5 I'll really blend in but with this car it's not real likely I'll ever run into another like it around here.
I was thinking a 383 longblock from somewhere and having him put it it for me. This way all the components are matched. I think an ls motor would be wild but I know there is no one around here that's doing those swaps. I have a tuning shop 1.5 hours from my house to take care of things when I'm done but other than feedback on ebay I'm not sure how to judge a place that would build an engine. There maybe some small shops that do it around here but none that I know of.
Sorry about the book. So basically should I have him put new gaskets in the 350 and maybe put new heads on it since they are off anyway or try to get a 383 from somewhere and have him swap it in. I'm assuming I'll use whatever I need off the l98 to complete the 383 when I get it. Is there anyplace doing ls swaps?
