Hey guys, I wanted to get some opinions on some engine issues. I have an 82 TA with the original 60 k on the odometer. Its time to redo the drive train and I'm wondering what is the best route to go and whats best for the car. Excluding the money issue, is it a smarter idea to rebuild the current 305 / 4barrel and 3 speed transmission or does it make more sense to upgrade to a 350 crate motor and 700R4 tranny. What headaches am I asking for with the swap? I already have a built tranny ready to go in but I'm still conflicted on the engine swap. I've had mixed views. On one hand I've heard the car will be worth more with the original motor and trans, on the other hand a crate motor and overdrive will perform better and be more respectable. What would you do? Your thoughts... Thanks

 

Go with a 350 and a turbo 350 transmission for the most cost effective route. You will have a lot more fun with a 350, and a turbo350 can be found for practically nothing. Your driveshaft is already the right length for a turbo350, so all you will need is a B&M or hurst th350 torque arm mount kit, which can be had from summit or jegs.

 

60,000 miles, and it needs a rebuild? What kind of abuse and/or neglect has this thing seen?

Unless you're looking for numbers-matching collectibility, it doesn't make any sense to put money into a 305 shortblock. So, 350 is the only thing to consider.

A TH350 is cheaper to buy/rebuild, but overdrive is a very nice feature. There are a few details to consider putting a TH700 in, but nothing beyond reason.

 

There will be no difference in what the car is "worth". Nobody will pay extra to get some old car with an anemic 145 HP 305 just because it originally came there. Nobody will pay extra to get one of these cars with something else in it either. These simply aren't that kind of car. So put the whole "worth" thing out of your mind, it doesn't apply.

IMO you would probably enjoy the car more if it had enough power to where a Nissan Sentra couldn't beat it any more. I'd recommend upgrading the engine rather than "restoring" it to "original". But it's your car, nobody can tell you what the best thing to do with it is, because that's a personal decision. All we can do is point out the advantages and disadvantages of different options, and tell you what works and what doesn't, and help you keep from making expenisve mistakes leading to disappointment.

What's wrong with it that makes you think it needs to be rebuilt?

 

Thanks for your input. To tell you the truth I don't know whats wrong with it. I blows massive amounts of smoke and has never had a smooth idle. I had another 82 with the same problems that turned out to be a soft cam issue. I'm guessing its the same thing here. I'm leaning towards the crate motor and the 700R4. At least that way the Sentra's of the world will have something to fear

 

Where are you in Colorado?

Just so you know, the TH700 is longer with the mount farther back than the 3-speed auto in there now. This requires a shorter crossmember (the "frame" members are angled inward, moving the crossmember back makes it shorter), shorter driveshaft, shorter torque arm. The good news is the vast majority of 3rd gens used those parts.

Since the 82's did not use the longer trannys, they did not make provisiong for mounting the crossmember in that location. The front bolts of the "short" crossmember will fit in the back holes of the current crossmember mounts, but the back bolts will have to be match-drilled and nuts inserted into the frame members. Not a real big deal, but something you have to deal with.

 

Thanks for the tranny info. I live in Broomfeild. I have the torque arm and drive shaft from the iroc that I pulled the tranny from. I believe I have the crossmember suppoirt as well. Other than that I'll have to find someone to do the motor and tranny swap. Its far too big a job for me to tackle. Do you or anyone know a reputable shop in the area? Thanks

 

I don't know of any shop that does this kind of stuff on the clock for a reasonable price. It's really hobbiest kind of work. The engine change - yes, but the tranny will get into things that they don't like to deal with.

Forgot to mention the TH700 shifter is different (one more gear notch).