A couple weeks ago I was checking over my car like I do every Sunday ('88 RS). The dipstick better than a gallon over full and milky. I have seen that more than enough to know what it ment. I was going to pull the engine to fix it but it became such a pain in the *** with broken exhaust bolts, broken transmission mount, and bellhousing bolts that both the 2.8 and 700r4 came out. I hadn't planned on doing this swap yet, I was going to work on my '54 GMC this summer but sh*t happens. I am going to go with a LQ4, T56, and 9 inch. I am going to drop the engine in stock for now, it is still a lot healthier than the v6. There is one on craigslist right now locally that I am considering getting a small loan for. $1400 for engine, ecm and harness.

Just means I won't be driving my car this summer like I wanted to. Probably longer than that since my budget is very tight right now.

pics:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...1&l=32e5d867a0

 

The lq4 stock will be 4x faster than the poor 2.8... I had a 2.8 in my car and it seemed the a/c turning on would kill the poor thing lmao

 

an LQ4 is a great starting point for a swap

however, I want to caution against getting a loan to do a swap like this. this is a very time and money involved swap; if you need to get a loan to buy the motor, you're digging yourself a hole from the beginning that's not going to get any smaller once you start needing the rest of the swap parts or custom work.

not trying to be a downer here, but also trying to not see a for sale thread in a couple months because you got in too deep

 

While it is tempting, I won't be getting a loan. I know better. This will be a cash only deal for the whole build.

The radiator support needs work first, it is bent in at the battery tray. Then I can start gathering the parts and pieces I will need.

 

good to hear.

I'm still buying parts for my swap 2 years later. Almost there!
but I found out in high school how quickly these things can add up when you're not paying attention, and that was just a basic SBC swap.

there will always be another deal; start saving now for that day and you'll be glad you did

 

Couldnt agree more.

 

Harness is out, fenders off, A/C condensor out. Evicted a few wasps. Need to get some estimates to replace the bent radiator support. I have a spare just need it put on. So at least I am making progress.

 

Great! You can do it!

 

That is exactly how my 2.8L died and I also had no plans of repairing it.

 

Ive done quite a few drivetrain swaps on VW's, and buying the drivetrain is really about 50% of the funds required if youre doing the swap yourself.

When people ask me how much to do swaps, I tell them the price of the drivetrain and basic install, then tell them to double that for incidentals. Its amazing how much all the little stuff adds up to. Especially when you get a setup, and something is bad on it.

 

Change of plans. Still going with a 9 inch and t56 but not the LQ4. Going to go with a 455 Buick instead (no smog testing locally). I'm a gluten for punishment. I will probably put the same amount of cash into the engine but won't have any computer tuning to do other than a self tuning EFI.

I just have to be a little different I guess.

 

There was an issue of hot rod that a guy put a 455 buick into a third gen trans am and it turned out very nice. If i remember right the guy said it ran 12s with manifolds on it! Fyi you can get self tuning efi for the 6.0 also as that s what i plan on doing. Good luck with the swap.