picked up a rough 87 Grand National - how to approach project?

[paradigm]

Picked up an 87 Grand National clean title car with 98k miles from NJ. VIN checks out as does the RPO sticker / WE2 code. The car is a bit of a mess, with the wrong trim bits on it, rotted areas on floors, areas cut out of the rear driver fender, doors not in good shape with holes along the bottom, and original drivetrain is gone and an incomplete LS swap sits in it. Frame looks solid, most body panels look decent, trunk is solid. A lot of the wiring has been modified due to swap, unsure if the motor and transmission are operable (5.3 LM7 + 4L80e with no driveshaft). Not sure what condition the brakes are, and how ready the fuel system is.

How would you guys approach this project?
Work on the floors first? then drivetrain?
Before I get the motor running, I want to paint the engine bay which will be a good bit of work on its own removing the inner fenders, other metal bits, preparing everything, and priming / painting. I have never done metal work or welding. I am hoping to buy a mig welder and learn on the floor.

driver floor looking forward:

driver floor looking rear:

passenger floor looking rear:

Areas of floor suspected to be rotted out:

 

[paradigm]

Engine bay (this will probably upset many here):

 

[TexasT]

Goal for the project?

I'd do the floors and look for a series II v6 and 4l80e and aftermarket ecu/tcu and make it run and drive. Nothing kills a project faster than loosing interest. If it is running and driving way harder to loose interests.

But you do you.

 

[Turbo6inKY]

Goal for the project?

Yup. You haven't provided enough info on what YOU want out of it.

Sure, the rust needs to be fixed no matter what you're going to do, but beyond that, what do you want?

You bought a basket case, that much is clear. The only way you get anywhere is set a goal. If you set a goal, we can help you get there. If there's no goal, we're not taking the engagebait.

 

[Buckshot G/N]

What ever desire that drove you to purchase that hodge-podge case GN, I'm for sure you where aware the endeavor ahead. As stated above addressing the severe rust first and not loosing focus on the task at hand. These are fun cars and will eat a hole in your pocket. But in your case to restore car just adequately, you're still dealing with a money pit. Wish you well and joy on your project.

 

[Chuck Leeper]

Put the engine/trans in an S10 and part out/junk the rest.