I need Options.

[Ribbedroof]

"so easy a caveman could do it!"

Actually, you might get lucky and find somebody going LS that will sell their usable "old school" drivetrain cheaply.

 

[64nailhead]

Why not? LS swaps are cheap and easy!

Always slammin' the LS swap lol.

FWIW, you're spot on, they aren't $1000 cheap. OP can ho a long way on a SBC with a $1000, but he has to have the skills to re-ring n engine and hone some cylinders, lap valves, etc. If he can't pull these items off, hen save your money until you can afford a crate.

 

[Eddie Cutlass]

Sweet car! If it’s not your daily driver, keep saving and build a motor you’ll be happy with.
I suggest LS/LT swap if you’re thinking daily driver.

 

[Eddie Cutlass]

Don’t let the carburetor die hards convince you to stay carbureted 💪🏽🤓💪🏽

 

[Eddie Cutlass]

Ideal dream scenario is to find a crashed G body with a solid drivetrain. The little stuff, aside from being hard to find, can nickel and dime you to death. A shop usually just calls the parts house for it, not look around for the best deal on a hard to find part.

I would stay away from a "0 mile" anything. They're usually bare, and seldom 0 mile....lots of Krylon rebuilds out there. Better to buy a dirty one out of a fresh kill, barring finding a donor car.

Vortecs are good engines, but a manifold and carb to use it are going to eat up a lot of your budget. TBI engines also will require a manifold and carb to use.

Like I said, best bet is a donor car, preferably G body, as it will have all the stuff you'll need...mounts, fan shroud, maybe larger radiator, bracketry, etc.

I'll probably get flamed for this, but 4 doors make great donor cars, as there is usually little interest in them once they're no longer driver-status.

Some of y’all really do look down on ‘more doors’, huh?! 🤣

 

[Steve 82 Elly]

I agree with all these guys, if your gonna swap it might as well try to get what you want in there now. However, if you're in southwest Michigan, I have a 3.8l I just pulled out of my El that you could have for nothing (I think that's about the current re-sale value)

 

[Ribbedroof]

Some of y’all really do look down on ‘more doors’, huh?! 🤣

No, just the harsh reality. Shoot, my avatar has 4 (5?) doors

 

[fleming442]

More doors for more wh*res!

 

[Eddie Cutlass]

No, just the harsh reality. Shoot, my avatar has 4 (5?) doors

The wagons come in 2nd place to the coupe enthusiast 😄
That’s the harsh reality.

 

[MalibuDavyou5]

I agree with all these guys, if your gonna swap it might as well try to get what you want in there now. However, if you're in southwest Michigan, I have a 3.8l I just pulled out of my El that you could have for nothing (I think that's about the current re-sale value)

I may take you up on that, we'd have to find a way to ship the Engine. But first I will pose a question the group or for those who have done a 350 conversion on these V6 option cars. What all am I going to need IE; Parts to make this conversion happen? off the top of my head I know Headers, Muffler and pipes, possibly a Torque Converter on the Trans. . . . Fill in blank. . . .