Just wanting the communities opinions regarding the cost/price or value of a stock 305cid block, and or the entire engine with the TPI assembly.
Are these blocks difficult to locate? I have the opportunity to buy a 91 z28 with the wrong motor - it currently has a 350 in it. The owner has the original TPI set up for the original 305cid, but thats all. I have a lead for a supposed '91 casting correct 305 block, ( a short block assembly) and was wondering what its worth. (it is rebuildable, just missing the heads) The car is a 91 1LE, 5spd.
Thanks
-Andrew

 

It's too bad the original engine is gone. Replacing it with another 305, even one of the same year, is not going to increase the value of the car though. Once the original is gone it's gone, and your numbers matching premium is gone with it. If it's got a 350 in it than I'd stick with that, provided it's a period correct roller block (87-92). You can always install the TPI on the 350. Just make sure to use the correct 22 lb. 350 injectors, the 350 knock sensor, and the 350 PROM. In my opinion you'd enjoy the car much better than with a 305, and the value is going to be the same regardless.

 

A 305 will be the cheaper option for replacement, no?

 

Actually because 350's are so plentiful the parts are much cheeper than 305 parts. Personally since the engine is gone already, If factory original is what you want then I would make it LOOK as stock as possible by putting the center bold valve covers on it and using the TPI system. But if all the TPI stuff is off the car that could be difficult because you have nothing to go by. I turned down a 89 FOrmula that was originally a 305 TPI 5 speed car, someone had hacked out the wire harness and put on a 4bbl. I ended up getting the TPI system for dirt cheep tho With the roller rockers, and some other misc parts.

John

 

O.K. thanks for the info,

The block that has been located has the following info:
casting# 1409362
alpha code- Z0921CLJ - the camaro white book lists this as a 305cid but with no known tranny designation.
and
1ML160216 underneath the alpha code.

Although the block is not the original to the car - with the CLJ code could this be a good substitute block?

Any ideas of the $ value of a rebulidable block?
-ANdrew

 

Like I stated before, it will not make the car any more valuable than if you use a correct era TPI 350 roller block. Either way it's not numbers matching. Plus the 305 will cost more to rebuild. It's your car so do what you want, but I think the 305 route is a mistake. The only way I'd rebuild a 305 is if it was the original numbers matching engine. Otherwise the 350 is cheaper to build and gives better performance.

 

I think the car is more valuable now with the 350 in it. Maybe 30 years from now it would be better to be original, but just keep the 350, it's really not worth the hassle!

 

I've got to agree with the others, your time and effort would be better spent with your existing 350. Run down the casting numbers on this one, and if its an '87 or newer block (which is correct for our cars equipped with L98 engines) then use it. Or even if it isn't correct you could still enjoy it. However, you seem interested in originality and what "should" be there, so if the 350 casting numbers show it to be an old style you could always shop for a correct-year 350 block to install.

The value of the 305 you are looking at, as others have stated already, isn't much. It will not add ANY historical or numbers matching value to the car, ie it will still have a "wrong" engine, because only the size matches, nothing else. It will not serve as a better platform for a performance engine. The TPI system you have aquired does not work any better with it (assuming you make the injector/prom/sensor changes already mentioned).

It just seems foolish, when there is no value to be gained and performance to be lost. However, to your original question, I would not expect to pay more than $100-200 dollars for an good condition, rebuildable 305 block, and with a little bargain shopping, I expect I could get one for less than that, possibly free. But the decision is totally up to you, its your car and your money.

 

There's an 88 305 TPI HO motor sitting in my driveway less intake and pulleys, free for the taking if you want it!

 

The value of the 305 you are looking at, as others have stated already, isn't much. It will not add ANY historical or numbers matching value to the car, ie it will still have a "wrong" engine, because only the size matches, nothing else. It will not serve as a better platform for a performance engine. The TPI system you have aquired does not work any better with it (assuming you make the injector/prom/sensor changes already mentioned).

DakotaSlt,
I would like to discuss your point. THis is all IMO.
Just think of what the vintage muscle cars with even a casting correct block will go for. Yes you and all the others are right - the car will never be a truly #'s matching car - but how many '69 Z28 have the correct motor in them yet the owners listem with the correct DZ alpha code - and looking at current prices and sales as recorded by the B.Jackson auction or even RM auctions. The $ figures suggests that guys are going to pay a big premium for a totaly #'s matiching car, a good premium for a car with casting numbers that match, and the least for a non-numbers matching car. Think of vetts - 70-72 LT1's for example - I've seen many C3's fetch a good buck even though the engine was not original, yet the casting numbers were correct for the block/car combo.
This all said, The cars I am speaking of are of the vintage era 'muscle' so to compare them to the Third Gen F-body at this time seems irrelavent.
But, what about the 1LE's and R7U cars or 92 GTA's. Are these the future COPO's 427's? I don't know. (actually most likely no) They may never fetch the big bucks of the earlier cars but to speculate is justifiable based on the historical record of American Iron. So to have a correct casting # and alpha code block, is worth more than an incorrect 305 or 350 in the long run.

The 350cid at this point is desirable, and more practical, especially with what I would like to do with the car, but (as I have mentioned in previous posts) I like to keep the original parts 'under my bed' so that in the future, If i need to sell the car, I have the orig parts, and if the value of the third gens goes up, then I haven't thrown away potentially valuable parts.

To get to the point of why I posted my original question, I'm looking at a nice '91 1LE - wrong motor, high milage 160k, good repaint, no paper work, high end sound system, near mint interior. There must be a good $$ in the motor build, but we all know that to get your $$ out of performace parts is tough- guys like to build and spend on stuff they want (usually). What's a car like this worth? (It is certifiable) Yes I know, It's worth what someone is will to give... What do you guys think?
Sorry about the long reply.... but I'm in a dilema, I've got $ to spend on the right car, am will to pay a premium for a nice car, but like all of us, don't want to throw hard earned $$ away or overpay.
-Andrew Thanks for the responses.

 

I hear you man, it is an addiction . Excellent reply as well, a lot of that does make sense, and I think you're plan of "Enjoy the 350, save a 305 in case" has merit, although it's not something I would do personally, because a DZ302 is a lot more difficult to track down than an LB9 305 casting, GM made a lot more 305s than 302s. But I digress.

My best advice to you is decide what you want, then shop for cars, rather than the other way around. A cheap car can have a lot of appeal, but if its not what you really want you'll always be looking. I, for example, knew I wanted a black, 350ci, 4 wheel disc brake Iroc-Z, and spent 2 years searching before I found it. But, its exactly what I want, so it was worth it in the end.

This is probably the most fun part, having a bit of cash set aside and going to look. Just remember to buy what you want, not necessarily whats available. It pays off later.


Aaron 7, what kinda shape is that 305 in? I live just north of Boston, I might be interested. I need a practice engine to tear apart and put back together a few times.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by DakotaSLT
[B]I hear you man, it is an addiction . Excellent reply as well, a lot of that does make sense, and I think you're plan of "Enjoy the 350, save a 305 in case" has merit, although it's not something I would do personally, because a DZ302 is a lot more difficult to track down than an LB9 305 casting, GM made a lot more 305s than 302s. But I digress.

My best advice to you is decide what you want, then shop for cars, rather than the other way around. A cheap car can have a lot of appeal, but if its not what you really want you'll always be looking. I, for example, knew I wanted a black, 350ci, 4 wheel disc brake Iroc-Z, and spent 2 years searching before I found it. But, its exactly what I want, so it was worth it in the end.

This is probably the most fun part, having a bit of cash set aside and going to look. Just remember to buy what you want, not necessarily whats available. It pays off later.

You're right! Like others have said, patience is a virtue.
-Andrew