1983MSEnumber97

Hey everyone!

Posting here for some general advice on my project. I have gutted 83, that needs a wiring harness, small block (305-400) from wing nut to oil plug. If you were me, what would you put in, and how much would it cost? I have around 2K to put into it, but I would rather get it going for less if possible. Any suggestions?

Yor

Personally, I'm lame and would stick with stock. I love these cars when they're stock, especially because the Mechams aren't exactly that common. But if you wanted something reasonable, then you could go the simple way and grab a 350- Easy parts to get, cheap, not the WORST on gas. Like I said, that's the simple and boring way. If you wanna go all out, I dunno what to tell ya, I've never had anything larger than a 350, personally. Good luck with your Mecham, though.

Twin_Turbo

iTrader: (25)

I would stick in the baddest LSx and a 5 or 6 speed stick shift, since it's bare bones..make it what an MSE car should have been. Not a glorified smogger w/ a decal package.

RubberDucky

iTrader: (4)

I hope he can keep that under 2k.

okfoz

MSE's are one of my favorite early 3rd Gen. I would probably stick to keeping it as original as possible.

John

1ADan

iTrader: (4)

being that you're in CA, your options are a bit limited. You're going to need all the correct emissions equipment for the engine you use, you can't use a truck engine (usually pretty cheap and easy to find), and gotta make sure all the computer controlled stuff is there. It won't be impossible, but it may eat up that budget real quick

okfoz

I think the truck engine exemption is more or less in effect for the entire nation. As far as I can tell it only pertains to the Block itself, which makes things a little more difficult to find a block. IIRC a truck block and a car block were identical, except for casting numbers. Its interesting as there is nothing specific on the block that would denote the emissions for the car, its all in the intake, heads, exhaust, ecm etc...

On some levels its a ridiculous Governmental control honestly as there was an emissions lag for years on trucks, when a car got some new emissions standard one year, about 5 or so years later trucks got the same controls emissions controls. Moreover I want to think that you almost have to transplant the entire power-plant as well as the ECM into the older car if you want to do it right as well... Its crappy but once again its a governmental control gone awry.



John