If you were offered "free Camaro, needs engine", but were about to close on a house (read: strapped for cash), what would you do?

My brother in-law is offering me his 1986 Camaro as is. Just needs a motor and a coat of paint. It's an automatic transmission.

What would y'all do in this situation? Since I've never really built up a car, what would a re-built 350 cost? While I'm at it, what would give the highest ROI as far as aftermarket modifications go?

Thanks in advance.

 

Welcome aboard.

Free never is, but it's better than paying for something you're going to have to sink more money into, anyway.

You can get a 350 core rebuilt for about a grand total, but the really good parts like heads are going to add to that cost. Good ROI items are: exhaust - headers, 3" high-flow cat, 3" cat-back; cam; intake; ignition. Do-it-yourself head porting is also a good investment, but requires a good air compressor. Assume you're going with a carb, correct?

Do you have emissions inspection/testing to worry about? If so, that increases the cost and complexity significantly.

Congrats on the house. With garage, of course?

 

Where are you located? I am looking for a better camaro body to put my 350 in. Would you be interested in selling or trading? I have an 85 with the mpfi 2.8 that runs. not real well but it runs. Depending on where you are could that be an option?

 

I should check back here more often.

five7kid: A Grand? not too bad. I'm going to poke around edelbrock's website and see what's available to finish emptying my savings account.

titeride85: I don't think I'm gonna sell it. sorry.