Ok guys. I have an 1986 Iroc that had the 305 TPI setup. The motor was blown. I gave $800 for the car like it sits. It needs a motor, but everything else works great. To build a moderate 350 with all the extras it needs to run in this car, my calculations come up with $2800 to build the motor, and get new accessories (starter, distributor,water pump, etc) to put in this car. By the time I get done with the whole car I will have close to $5000 dollars in it, and it will be no where near worth that much. So what I am getting at, how much did you guys spend to get your camaros, firebirds engine done, was it worth it? Thanks. Kevin

 

i don't know and yes

 

well i bought my 1991 formula 350 tpi auto for 5,800... with 62,000 miles on it..

so if you have a mild 350 in a thirdgen you will get most if not all your money back if you do sell...

5,000 is not that much to have a complete running new mild 350 camaro on the road..

 

When you put that amount of money into a car, I hope its for your enjoyment and not the resale value. Note! you will never get it back.

 

ive got a little over 10 grand in mine and i think i could only get 5 0r 6 out of it. but if i would do it again....hell yes!! i love my car and it was worth it. but ive got 4500 in the engine and 3000 for the original car. then ive got susp, tranny, accesories, stereo ect. but ya it was worth it.

 

Here is a brief history of my car... Started out as a prodject for me and my friend
1988 Iroc TPI 350 $4,000-which ends up having a bent frame..
My friend bailes at this point so I buy a
1989 RS with a blown motor -$1,400 completly rewire the 89 and drop the 350 TPI and 9 bolt rear end in the RS. I spent $3,500 on minor body work, paint and custom graphics. Add another $5,000 to rebuild the whole uderside brakes, lines,front end complete with subframe connectors, shocks, engine modes, and almost all new engine acessories, new seats, new carpet, 16 speaker stero system, all new weatherstripping..
so approx $13,900 into it and I am going to sell my complete 350/t5 set up and pay another Approx $5,000 for a LT-1/T56 set up.
But everytime I am driving around and get an offer to buy my car on the spot cash yeah it was all worth it cause I did pretty much all the work and that is where you can't even begin to put a price on the pride I have in accomplishing what I set out to do dispite a @$$ load of trials,mistakes,blood, sweat and tears.

 

Was it worth it? YES. Do I care how much it cost? NO. Found my TransAm on a lot for $3500, and bought it for $2600. Drove it 6 months, and it got hailed on so they paid me $1500 for damage. It's my work car, not a show car, and the dents were very small. So I had a good start on the cost. The 400 motor I already had out of the car I was going to junk. Always wanted more power since I sold my 1970 Chevelle SS396. So I thought about exactly what I wanted for about 8 months, and then went ahead and built it up. I will keep it forever, it is my retirement car.

 

Well, I guess I will go on with the project. I have EVERYTHING out from under the hood and have it ready to spray. I will start building the motor after christmas. You know the nagging wife saga never ends. She sais wait. So I allready have a 350 sbc block ready to build and a set of vortec heads waiting for them.
So I will keep the guys updated. My cousin is going to school at the local votech school taking autobody so guess what his project is?!!?!?!? You got it. My Iroc. So we will see what happens. The only problem is the interior now. Have fun!!!:hail:

 

you can get a motor in the car and running for less than 2500 new if your gonna reuse some stuff....thats for a brand new GM goodwrench engine.