I need hot-air engine selling advice.

[thewoodieb]

I am on a bit of a teeter-totter right now, between preforming the intercooled setup on my 85 block or buying a complete 87 engine, now if I were to buy the complete engine, should I then sell my 85 block to pay for damages or would that be a mistake on my part, I don't plan on putting the car into Barrett Jackson, and I also don't plan on having the money to restore the car to that condition. Not all parts are original. Let me know what you think guys! Thanks!

 

[Anthony P]

If you buy a complete '86 or '87 LC2 engine, you are going to have to go through it anyway (checking main/rod bearings and cam bearings for wear, checking cam lobes, maybe polish/grind crank, let alone any clean up and freshening on the block and heads) regardless what the seller says. A "good running" LC2 seems to go for about $2500. But you still have to check it out. Then you have to decide on the turbo, intercooler, injectors, chip, etc. for the performance level you want. A trans rebuild is about $1500 for the parts/labor.

I do not know what the going price is for all of the accessories and parts needed for the hot air to intercooled conversion.

A lot of what I do is old school but i like tried and true combinations. Then there is the stuff you fabricate yourself. I have seen that many hot air owners are doing this conversion. I do not understand it. You can make a fast hot air car for the street with what you have and doing some machine work as part of a performance build. Look what Marka Gallina did with her '84. While that was a race car and the combination of parts are very important, the basis is there for one quick street car.

If you use your block, I would go through it anyway and freshen the motor. I know this doesn't answer your question, but I thought I'd share my opinion. You can make a quick hot air street car.

 

[1986TR]

i did a conversion on my buddies and we used his 84 block we had to drill and tap the hole for the oil return and it came out sweet we used all the ic stuff and went with vacumm brakes :biggrin:

 

[boostingbuick]

Stay with the 85 block. I did an 84 block and went 11's with it. They are strong enough for what your using it for. Plus you already know what you have. Just get everything you need to convet your set up.