Corvette advise.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
From: sacramento CA
Corvette advise.
Ok so i recently purchased a 1988 L98 with a 4+3 tranny. (i got it for 3500 knowing there is engine problems.) If i keep the 4+3 it will need a full rebuild all new gears and everything within the next couple of months. the engine has ALOT of leaks somewhere. i havent really had time to look where but when it is parked for a day or so there is leaks on the ground. ok so once i sell my v6 camaro i will have about 3000-4000$ to put into my corvette. so i have like 3 option i want to run by you guys to see what you think would be the best.
option 1:
Look for a used ls1 and T56 with low miles.(i can find one already in a firebird or camaro for around 2.3k)
Could you tell me how much it work cost me for everything else beside the wiring and computer.
option 2:
I have a friend with a LT1 and T56 for 1.6k with low miles.
also how much other things will cost me cause what is in it right know wont fit into a corvette (coming out of a firebird.)
option 3:
Just rebuild my L98 and 4+3 tranny.
how much would it cost me to rebuild the engine and tranny.
option 1:
Look for a used ls1 and T56 with low miles.(i can find one already in a firebird or camaro for around 2.3k)
Could you tell me how much it work cost me for everything else beside the wiring and computer.
option 2:
I have a friend with a LT1 and T56 for 1.6k with low miles.
also how much other things will cost me cause what is in it right know wont fit into a corvette (coming out of a firebird.)
option 3:
Just rebuild my L98 and 4+3 tranny.
how much would it cost me to rebuild the engine and tranny.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
Option 3 will be the cheapest and run closest to budget. One way to get a decent engine without all the budget busting "might as wells", is to buy a crate engine. Unless the front box, the four speed, was run while out of oil, it will not have to have "all new gears".
RACE ON!!!
RACE ON!!!
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
From: sacramento CA
Option 3 will be the cheapest and run closest to budget. One way to get a decent engine without all the budget busting "might as wells", is to buy a crate engine. Unless the front box, the four speed, was run while out of oil, it will not have to have "all new gears".
RACE ON!!!
RACE ON!!!
do you have a estimate on how much rebuilding it would cost. also with the 4 k budget will i be able to put some performance parts on it with the rebuild?
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,171
Likes: 1
From: Warwick RI
Option 3 will be the cheapest and run closest to budget. One way to get a decent engine without all the budget busting "might as wells", is to buy a crate engine. Unless the front box, the four speed, was run while out of oil, it will not have to have "all new gears".
RACE ON!!!
RACE ON!!!
Option 3 will probably be your best bet and a crate motor will run around what a rebuild would provided it is a base HP motor. You can worry about performance goodies as you get more $$$.
The tranny will be difficult to estimate unless someone in your area has experience with this.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
Originally Posted by brianrparker
do you have a estimate on how much rebuilding it would cost. also with the 4 k budget will i be able to put some performance parts on it with the rebuild?
I'm glad I snuck (sneaked?) that "out of oil" disclaimer into my first post. I almost didn't. Best you can do is disassemble it and see what's left.
RACE ON!!!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,161
Likes: 0
From: Orangeburg, NY
I just bought a used engine from Greenleaf, located near Boston for my 2002 Ford. They were very helpful. They were able to give me the engine with 40k miles for $1200.00. delivered to NY. It came complete with a 12k 12 month warrantee. They also included the vin which I was able to verify the mileage on the engine. The engine was in great shape. You might have some luck with them. They are also nationwide. Just a suggestion.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers
Joe Kucinski
The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained
Joe Kucinski
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 24,460
Likes: 7
From: sw Ohio
I would definitely fix the engine. They're not that expensive to rebuild. As far as the trans is concerned, those 4+3's can be expensive to fix/replace so you might want to consider a ZF6 swap. Definitely do some research first. good luck 
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,614
Likes: 163
From: Davis CA
What is wrong with the transmission and are you differentiating transmission and overdrive problems?
What do you plan to do with the car? Are you going to play at Sacramento Raceway or the road courses in the area (Thunderhill, Infineon, Mazda)? If not, I think that you should go simple and cheap and enjoy a strong daily driver.
I live in Davis. If I can be of any help, let me know. My car is an 86 with the 4+3.
What do you plan to do with the car? Are you going to play at Sacramento Raceway or the road courses in the area (Thunderhill, Infineon, Mazda)? If not, I think that you should go simple and cheap and enjoy a strong daily driver.
I live in Davis. If I can be of any help, let me know. My car is an 86 with the 4+3.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 16,028
Likes: 170
From: oregon
you can find new zf6s on ebay for 1200 or so, that is one thing i would definatly do if i were you. The 4+3 is a slow transmission if you ever plan on racing. My vote is actually on the LS1 swap if you can spend a little time, that vote is based on wanting more HP in the car. If you are happy with stockish power levels just do the crate type job with what you have. It's less work and you can get an L98 to 300 crank HP pretty easy.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
From: sacramento CA
nothing major is wrong with the enigne.(just a couple leaks that im going to look at) im just saying keep it and when it blows rebuild it later on. or just do a swap. the transmission is the first thing. i just want to see what other people had to say about the swaps.
