Electronics Need help wiring something up? Thinking of adding an electrical component to your car? Need help troubleshooting that wiring glitch?

Debating on buying car with electrical problems..

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 06-28-2015, 12:27 AM
  #1  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
kkirch15's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Western New York
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 1982 Trans Am
Engine: LG4
Transmission: 200c
Debating on buying car with electrical problems..

Sorry im not very fluent in cars and engines and such, but i have a pretty good idea. So the car im looking at buying, im guessing 86-92ish firebird has had its harness and most wiring in the car taken apart while the previous owner was trying to swap the engine (i guess this wasnt necessary) leaving the car to be a big electrical project. I wouldnt know the first thing in doing this myself, but otherwise the car is rust free and in good condition with everything that needs to be installed. Would buying this car for around $2000 for a project be worth it?
Old 06-28-2015, 02:25 AM
  #2  
Senior Member

 
1983Chimaera's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: San Antonio, Tx
Posts: 568
Likes: 0
Received 7 Likes on 6 Posts
Car: 1988 Camaro IROC-Z
Engine: LB9 (305 TPI)
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 2.73 Positraction
Re: Debating on buying car with electrical problems..

Without more details about the car, it's current condition (body, paint, mechanical, engine, etc) no way of giving you any kind of empirical answer. From a broad standpoint, unless it has a very clean body with good paint, or a very expensive engine with a decent body, I would have to say no, especially since you admit you have no experience. Find something where your lack of knowledge isn't going to lead you into a money pit situation.
Old 06-28-2015, 11:24 AM
  #3  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
kkirch15's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Western New York
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 1982 Trans Am
Engine: LG4
Transmission: 200c
Re: Debating on buying car with electrical problems..

the car had no rust on the exterior of the car but i didnt get to check inside, and none of the parts of the exterior had any damage to them. the paint had a couple chips in it but wasnt in a bad condition. it had a 305 and otherwise mechanically sound besides the electrical problems
Old 06-28-2015, 03:50 PM
  #4  
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Barlow8869's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Mattoon Il.
Posts: 511
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 1989 IROC-Z / T-Top -1987 GTA
Engine: 305 (LO3) _350 (L98)
Transmission: 700R4 _ 700R4
Axle/Gears: 2.73 L.S. - ???
Re: Debating on buying car with electrical problems..

to me, any 3rd gen not running is not worth 2k (unless maybe it was a tta) you have no way of knowing if it has a good motor, trans, or rear end ... for 2k you can find a good running 3rd gen ... i only gave 600 for my gta not running ... a rule of thumb for buying a car not running is, never pay more for it than you can get for parts off of it ... and if you have to pay someone to take the parts off of it for you, you will not get much return ... just my opinion though
Old 06-28-2015, 06:42 PM
  #5  
Supreme Member

 
Ron U.S.M.C.'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Northern, CA
Posts: 4,482
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes on 8 Posts
Car: 1989 Iroc-Z Camaro
Engine: TBI,5.0
Transmission: Automatic 700R4
Axle/Gears: Eaton Posi,3.42,LPW Ultimate Cover
Re: Debating on buying car with electrical problems..

If you don't want to pull your hair out and lay in bed all night every night thinking about the nightmare you got into with the wiring to that extent. Especially a person just starting out with no knowledge in that subject. I say pass . On top of that the word money pit and Third Gen go together well, most of the time and in this case that is a yes.
I bought my first project car ( 1989 Camaro )for $500.00 9 years ago in very poor condition but the wiring was unmolested.

Last edited by Ron U.S.M.C.; 06-28-2015 at 07:02 PM.
Old 06-28-2015, 10:32 PM
  #6  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
kkirch15's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Western New York
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 1982 Trans Am
Engine: LG4
Transmission: 200c
Re: Debating on buying car with electrical problems..

Thanks for the advice guys ive decided to pass on the offer
Old 06-29-2015, 02:14 AM
  #7  
Supreme Member

iTrader: (13)
 
Night rider327's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Bowdon, GA.
Posts: 2,535
Likes: 0
Received 16 Likes on 14 Posts
Car: 1988 Camaro
Engine: 355, 10.34:1, 249/252 @.050", IK200
Transmission: TH-400, 3500 stall 9.5" converter
Axle/Gears: Ford 9", detroit locker, 3.89 gears
Re: Debating on buying car with electrical problems..

Yeah pass on it for sure. Third gens are still too cheap to shell out $2,000 for a non running, messed up wiring project.

I don't know the area you live in, but in my neck of the woods $2,000 can get you a pretty good running third gen...
Old 06-29-2015, 06:55 AM
  #8  
Supreme Member

iTrader: (2)
 
RedLeader289's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 2,482
Received 105 Likes on 86 Posts
Car: 1983 Z28
Engine: 385 Fastburn
Transmission: T-5
Axle/Gears: BorgWarner 9-bolt posi, 3.27 gears
Re: Debating on buying car with electrical problems..

Originally Posted by Night rider327
Yeah pass on it for sure. Third gens are still too cheap to shell out $2,000 for a non running, messed up wiring project.

I don't know the area you live in, but in my neck of the woods $2,000 can get you a pretty good running third gen...

I completely agree.
Old 06-29-2015, 11:06 AM
  #9  
Supreme Member

iTrader: (15)
 
Tibo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Desert
Posts: 5,025
Received 76 Likes on 66 Posts
Car: 1991 Z28 Vert
Engine: 383 single plane efi
Transmission: T-56
Axle/Gears: 8.8 with 3.73s
Re: Debating on buying car with electrical problems..

I personally would offer 1000-1500 depending on what others have mentioned. But I have been involved in fixing and changing these cars for ten years. You can learn and you could repair it but you would be spending much money in tools and supplies and time in learning and going slow. You would be better off passing on this one.
Old 06-29-2015, 11:30 AM
  #10  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
kkirch15's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Western New York
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 1982 Trans Am
Engine: LG4
Transmission: 200c
Re: Debating on buying car with electrical problems..

I live in Western New York and have been looking for a solid 2 months now and have yet to find a car in my price range (2-3k). It was nice finding one that could possibly be a project and i could turn around but obviously isnt worth my time and investment.
Old 06-29-2015, 12:43 PM
  #11  
Member

 
90 GTA Black's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 218
Received 5 Likes on 3 Posts
Re: Debating on buying car with electrical problems..

Sounds like you need to go on a road trip and bring back a nice running car for 2K.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
RazorN8
Tech / General Engine
4
01-07-2022 11:44 AM
86IROC112
Engine/Drivetrain/Suspension Parts for Sale
4
08-17-2015 02:00 PM
mizz0313
Transmissions and Drivetrain
3
08-12-2015 06:45 AM
MENINBLK
Transmissions and Drivetrain
6
08-05-2015 11:58 PM



Quick Reply: Debating on buying car with electrical problems..



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:05 AM.