Help me run 13-13.5 1/4 with $2,000

[gbodytoys]

CAR - Monte Carlo SS. 4,100 lb (est. with me and audio equipment), th350, Edelbrok 2101 intake, Holly 4150 carb, 373 gears, flowmaster w/ true duals

REASON - Blew my engine, looking to get it back on the road

LABOR - I will NOT be doing any labor myself. NONE.

GOAL Is it reasonable in Michigan, WITH LABOR, to get achieve a 13-13.5 1/4 time with $2,000? I'm happy with the speed of cars such as a 2007 Mustang GT, 2007 Dodge Magnum SRT8, etc... in their stock form, so my goal for now is to be a tad bit quicker than that.

In case you're wondering what happened to my last engine?

 

[565bbchevy]

First off since you did not state a reason why you will not be doing any labor I will have to assume it is a physical limitations issue.
From the sound of it you need a new long block installed and would be using your induction system, exhaust and ignition etc.
I think with this budget and having to pay for every bit of labor cost your only goal should be to have a dependable driver, trying to achieve any specific 1/4 mile time on this budget seems unlikely with the hefty weight of the car I would think you need somewhere in the range of 400-425 flywheel horsepower.
It is possible you can find a strong running used engine with performance parts already installed but now you are adding more labor cost having to remove a second engine.
Even the cheapest new Chevrolet long blocks come in at $1500 + for a 195 horsepower version and you still have to pay for labor to R & R your engine and buy misc. parts to complete the install and don't forget all the little things that add up quickly like oil. coolant, spark plugs, fasteners etc.
If possibly you only need a short block and have good heads (but did not mention them) on your current engine that you can use then this will save some money.
Really the labor cost is what is going to get you and if you find someone to do the work cheap you usually get what you pay for.

 

[gbodytoys]

First off since you did not state a reason why you will not be doing any labor I will have to assume it is a physical limitations issue.
From the sound of it you need a new long block installed and would be using your induction system, exhaust and ignition etc.
I think with this budget and having to pay for every bit of labor cost your only goal should be to have a dependable driver, trying to achieve any specific 1/4 mile time on this budget seems unlikely with the hefty weight of the car I would think you need somewhere in the range of 400-425 flywheel horsepower.
It is possible you can find a strong running used engine with performance parts already installed but now you are adding more labor cost having to remove a second engine.
Even the cheapest new Chevrolet long blocks come in at $1500 + for a 195 horsepower version and you still have to pay for labor to R & R your engine and buy misc. parts to complete the install and don't forget all the little things that add up quickly like oil. coolant, spark plugs, fasteners etc.
If possibly you only need a short block and have good heads (but did not mention them) on your current engine that you can use then this will save some money.
Really the labor cost is what is going to get you and if you find someone to do the work cheap you usually get what you pay for.

Thanks.

I don't have any physical limitations, I just don't want to do it. That is absolutely the wrong attitude to have on this forum, but in this hobby, and I realize that.

The heads were stock and I'm not sure if there was a hotter cam since I didn't put it in.

From my research, I also agree that 400 or so hp is roughly what's needed. I just wanted a reality check. My local mechanic who also races and comes highly recommended quoted me right around $3,000 parts and labor to get me to where I want to be in terms of times. I'm always second guessing so I was curious if that was fair.

I definitely priced the longblocks (ex 350/290hp for 2k) which seems good as you said, but with labor and the accessories, I'd be up to more than 3k pretty easily.

I see now that I won't get to my goal with a cheap budget and new parts so I might as well just save another grand or two to ensure that everything is covered.

Thanks again.

 

[565bbchevy]

I don't have any physical limitations, I just don't want to do it. That is absolutely the wrong attitude to have on this forum, but in this hobby, and I realize that.

I think you are cheating yourself on a great learning experience but I get that not everybody has what it takes to work on cars and do it right.
For me I enjoy building an engine, fabricating and detailing or any other improvement nearly as much as enjoying driving the finished product and to me there is nothing more satisfying than opening my hood at a car show and watching people's reactions to everything I have done on my car knowing I did it all myself.

 

[-83MONTESS-]

Even if you did the work yourself $2k isnt getting you far. How much audio stuff do you have? These cars stock weighed around 34-3500 so what in the hell do you have making up the extra 600lbs?

 

[Chopper]

Even if you did the work yourself $2k isnt getting you far. How much audio stuff do you have? These cars stock weighed around 34-3500 so what in the hell do you have making up the extra 600lbs?

http://www.tlc.com/tv-shows/my-600-lb-life

🙁

 

[565bbchevy]

This would probably do the trick, he is asking $2500 for the engine.
http://detroit.craigslist.org/mcb/pts/4828292001.html

 

[gbodytoys]

Even if you did the work yourself $2k isnt getting you far. How much audio stuff do you have? These cars stock weighed around 34-3500 so what in the hell do you have making up the extra 600lbs?

I've read around 3600 on montecarloss.com. But let's say 5,500. I weight 240 and I'm 6'4. 3740. My subwoofers and box are about 100 lb. Amps...25lb for both. Sound deadening, etc.. I always round up as high as I can. So if I'm off, shoot, even better.

This would probably do the trick, he is asking $2500 for the engine.
<span class="skimlinks-unlinked">http://detroit.craigslist.org/mcb/pts/4828292001.html</span>

I just saw that post today too, lol.

 

[565bbchevy]

I just saw that post today too, lol.

That guy lives about 4 miles away from me and if I didn't just buy another car last week I would consider getting this.

 

[pencero]

You can do it if you install the engine yourself. LT1 from Roadmaster / Fleetwood + Air Intake + Chip + crossmember + 4L60E (or not +/-) = $1,750 - 2,500 13 seconds easily w/ a posi...