Project Objective
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Joined: Aug 2009
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Project Objective
We have 10 grand to spend on a project vette. Bought a 90, black, l98, for 3200. Spent 800 on a carpet kit, and some new seats from a newer vette. up to 4 grand, with 170k miles, a rod knock, and a bunch of electrical issues. If this were your car/budget what direction would you take?
Pro
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 515
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From: Nashua NH
find the seller and get some/all of your money back...$3200 for a car that needs $8000 worth of work, and is only worth $5000??? 
Tell them you want $3000 back!
Tell them you want $3000 back!
Last edited by Mark85Vett; Feb 23, 2010 at 11:45 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 128
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From: Centennial Colorado
An LS swap was my first idea... until I discovered all the "hidden costs" that entailed. It will bleed you dry, in my opinion.
Maybe get a rework on your motor. That is what I did. After taking it down to clear the rod knock, you can go back with much better parts, port the heads, etc.
Those motors are pretty good, especially the LT4 variety with some little tricks that are mostly bolt-on.
Chase down those electrical issues first, I think. Those can be deal-killers and it would be sad to have a great motor in a car that still won't work.
Jay
Maybe get a rework on your motor. That is what I did. After taking it down to clear the rod knock, you can go back with much better parts, port the heads, etc.
Those motors are pretty good, especially the LT4 variety with some little tricks that are mostly bolt-on.
Chase down those electrical issues first, I think. Those can be deal-killers and it would be sad to have a great motor in a car that still won't work.
Jay
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,772
Likes: 64
From: Mystic CT
I would fix all the required electrical things first like wipers gauges horns etc. Get a fsm if you do not have one as the electrical section is priceless. these things have ground wires buried everywhere and can screw up all kinds of things if not right often cleaning them will fix dozens of things at once at times. I would not stress over interior lights radio and that type of thing fix them at your lesure or when you know the part you need and somone is parting a car and can get a bargain on the part. If a daily driver and not a hot rod either rebuild what you have or get a crate long block and be done with that part. If a six speed and you need a flywheel and clutch better retink the bucks again as that can get real pricey just for the parts.
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 51
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I would fix all the required electrical things first like wipers gauges horns etc. Get a fsm if you do not have one as the electrical section is priceless. these things have ground wires buried everywhere and can screw up all kinds of things if not right often cleaning them will fix dozens of things at once at times. I would not stress over interior lights radio and that type of thing fix them at your lesure or when you know the part you need and somone is parting a car and can get a bargain on the part. If a daily driver and not a hot rod either rebuild what you have or get a crate long block and be done with that part. If a six speed and you need a flywheel and clutch better retink the bucks again as that can get real pricey just for the parts.
Almost all labor will be done by me, and the car will be a weekend driver for my dad and I to share. Im thinking about getting the engine machined, and doing a budget friendly rebuild, then going from there. When we get stuck I have a good shop that won't bit me on labor.
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