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-   -   Your thoughts on engine swap? (https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/history-originality/753584-your-thoughts-engine-swap.html)

Thirdvert89 06-01-2018 03:29 AM

Your thoughts on engine swap?
 
Going from the 5.0 tpi in my 87 gta convt to a chevy 350 carb how much am I killing the value on it

F-body-fan 06-01-2018 05:31 AM

Re: Your thoughts on engine swap?
 
IMO, it depends on who's buying and how original the car is. If it's a low mile, original car it hurts the value tremendously as the majority of your buyers would be collectors that like originality & will pay more for a well preserved car right down to the valve stem caps. If the car has high miles, wear & tear & maybe other mods already, it's not as big of a deal. You could always remove & save the original parts too, but I wouldn't touch it if its a car of the first scenario. :)

Have any picts & details on your car you could share?

1MeanZ 06-01-2018 06:58 AM

Re: Your thoughts on engine swap?
 
You're destroying the value on it, don't do it. There is never a good reason to convert to a carb like that. Converting to carb is often seen as a half-assed hack job thing to do because it is, and that's one of the myriad of reasons it hurts value, especially on a convertible that is somewhat rare. If you're worried about soiling your investment, sell the convertible and buy a rolling chassis with no engine or trans or something of that nature. It will not be wise use of your invested capital to carb swap an 87 GTA convertible....

midias 06-01-2018 08:09 AM

Re: Your thoughts on engine swap?
 
Quite a bit even if the car is not that original. A downgrade from EFI to some hacked in carb with cut wires around the engine bay is a non starter for most people. Usually indicates the person could not figure out EFI and decided to go carb. Although it is my experience that people that go this route cant do much more than turn the idle screws and call it tuned.

Now a 350 EFI / TPI that will be a good move.

navy02ws6 06-01-2018 08:46 AM

Re: Your thoughts on engine swap?
 
It'd likely be a deal breaker for any car I'd consider, that's for sure. I'd say probably 30% deduct personally. Carbs aren't even reliable when they're factory installed, much less a conversion that's likely to use non-GM parts, and do away with a lot of the underhood factory stuff that's also missing on every other cheap third gen.

Thirdvert89 06-01-2018 12:35 PM

Re: Your thoughts on engine swap?
 
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.thi...ce8921f47e.jpgPutting in new carpet reupholstering seats new top and tires deciding to stick with red or paint white

Thirdvert89 06-01-2018 12:45 PM

Re: Your thoughts on engine swap?
 
Odometer has stopped working it reads 123k I got hosed on car seller lou battaglia lied about everything anyhow I had to put fenders from a different car on it as they were damaged pretty bad the suspension is rusted up pretty bad so I was going to out in new sway bars tie rods and shocks aftermarket I think brand in book was BMR radio is broken was going to put in aftermarket body still needs some work will have to bondo some areas I think once it complete it should be worth at least 8or 9

dmccain 06-01-2018 01:09 PM

Re: Your thoughts on engine swap?
 
You got a nice car there. Leave it TPI. I swapped a TPI 305 to a very nice well built carbed Vortec 350 and when I went to sell it most people didn't want it because it was "hopped up". It was a clean job too not a hack job but keeping it original to a point is key. I should have just built a 350 and kept it TPI. Its just easier to go carb so ive done it to several nice cars in the past. I'm going to keep my FI this time around even if it cost me some headache and HP.

Thirdvert89 06-01-2018 02:33 PM

Re: Your thoughts on engine swap?
 
Thank you DMccain long ways to go but I think it will work out

Linson 06-03-2018 03:33 AM

Re: Your thoughts on engine swap?
 

LT1/TA 06-03-2018 11:38 AM

Re: Your thoughts on engine swap?
 
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.thi...cbdaa7c4f8.gif

MrPackstin 06-04-2018 10:23 PM

Re: Your thoughts on engine swap?
 
To me that would be killing the value. Don't 'lester it.

Drew 06-04-2018 10:45 PM

Re: Your thoughts on engine swap?
 
If the car is as rough as it's been described and shown in other threads, I doubt it's ever going to have enough collector value for anyone to really care. If you're really worried about it, stuff the original number matching engine under the bench or in the shed for that rainy day.

zya5point0 06-05-2018 04:56 AM

Re: Your thoughts on engine swap?
 
I've done TPI to carb on 2 cars, but I'll never do it again, lol! If you decide to go that route it needs to be done right, not half a**ed like I did. Not only removing all factory TPI and ecm harness, but also converting the tank and fuel system. Just my .02 based on personal experience.

1MeanZ 06-05-2018 07:16 AM

Re: Your thoughts on engine swap?
 
what problem is being solved by converting to carb? If the injection has issues, then work on that and don't molest the car further than it appears to already have been. I've started with some pretty crummy running TPI cars over the years. It's usually as simple as having no vacuum leaks, proper ignition timing, and correctly functioning coolant temp sensor and a good MAF sensor. Start with the basics and get it ironed out.

chazman 06-05-2018 09:32 AM

Re: Your thoughts on engine swap?
 
List of things which kill the value of a GTA convertible.

1) Rustoleum applied with a brush.

2) Hacked hatch for fuel pump.

3) 4th gen interior or rear end.

4) Replacing your TPI with a random carbed 350.

Now if you wanted to do all of these things, that's all cool. But your question is what will it do to the value of your car.

Drew 06-05-2018 09:51 AM

Re: Your thoughts on engine swap?
 
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.thi...34c762d097.jpg


Originally Posted by Thirdvert89 (Post 6219364)
Nobody deal with this guy he is a fraud. He sold me a car saying it had only 77k has 123 k and is more than that since odometer stopped doesn't work. I asked a few major questions. What kind of shape is the overall body in any Major rust since he lives in des plaines ok. He said no rust fla car he's had it short time been covered in storage winter time. How is engine and trans . He said trans is perfect engine just needs a really good full tune up but nothing major wrong with it . So I tell him if I'm understanding the car right no rust no body damage engine needs just tune up trans is fine and it only has 77k he said yes.so we set up a day for car to be picked up and shipped on the day ar is picked up he text me not happy about how he has to send car that I rushed him he had over a week to get it ready. He tells me things are missing from car compressor convertible top parts ground effects he's putting all that inside car . I have car picked up and shipped to me. If I could have I would have died when I saw it. First thing driver side fender is completely damaged . But wasn't like that in pics. Car has so much rust under hood floor pans are shot convertible mounting area on winshueld is destroyed with rust. No compressor sent no ground effects no convertible top parts . When I tell about all this he says I. Ought a project and he didn't have time to put parts in car yet I bought let's say on a Monday and didn't ship till next Monday. Talked with him since purchase numerous times keeps promising parts when he can get to them. And will refund me 200 from purchase price if 3k 3k for a project lol. Over 1 month monoarts all I hear is he's busy cuz he has he's money. Please no. Indy deal with this guy I've seen other post about him ripping people off back in 2015 2016 hrs a scammer not a man of his word. He sells parts on this site don't trust him. Karma will get him I was a man if my word put 3k in his bank without even having title or car and he can't even follow they and give what is mine .

I'm thinking the car in question has much bigger issues than an engine swap or a 4th gen rear, etc. :2cents:

chazman 06-05-2018 09:59 AM

Re: Your thoughts on engine swap?
 

Originally Posted by Drew (Post 6226838)
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.thi...34c762d097.jpg



I'm thinking the car in question has much bigger issues than an engine swap or a 4th gen rear, etc. :2cents:

Oh boy....:eek:

MrPackstin 06-05-2018 10:57 AM

Re: Your thoughts on engine swap?
 
Just can't let those cars sit out in the weather.... :( Convertibles are one of the cars to preserve though.

zya5point0 06-05-2018 02:01 PM

Re: Your thoughts on engine swap?
 

Originally Posted by chazman (Post 6226841)
Oh boy....:eek:

Wow, didn't see that pic before! Yea, that poor car has issues.

1MeanZ 06-05-2018 02:53 PM

Re: Your thoughts on engine swap?
 
...yep looks like time for a carb'd big block!

dmccain 06-05-2018 05:26 PM

Re: Your thoughts on engine swap?
 
Dang shame someone didn't keep her out the elements.

yo soy el warg 06-05-2018 05:44 PM

Re: Your thoughts on engine swap?
 
If this car was originally from Florida it had flood damage after a hurricane put it under about 4 feet of salt water to do that kind of rust damage.

chazman 06-05-2018 06:06 PM

Re: Your thoughts on engine swap?
 

Originally Posted by Thirdvert89 (Post 6226029)
Odometer has stopped working it reads 123k I got hosed on car seller lou battaglia lied about everything anyhow I had to put fenders from a different car on it as they were damaged pretty bad the suspension is rusted up pretty bad so I was going to out in new sway bars tie rods and shocks aftermarket I think brand in book was BMR radio is broken was going to put in aftermarket body still needs some work will have to bondo some areas I think once it complete it should be worth at least 8or 9

Sorry man, that sucks.

Thirdvert89 06-06-2018 04:08 AM

Re: Your thoughts on engine swap?
 
I agree it's very rough and has issues but come September she'll be looking and driving perfect guaranteed

QwkTrip 06-06-2018 11:57 AM

Re: Your thoughts on engine swap?
 

Originally Posted by Thirdvert89 (Post 6225954)
Going from the 5.0 tpi in my 87 gta convt to a chevy 350 carb how much am I killing the value on it

Personally, I don't think in terms of value. I think of my car as a fun hobby. Decisions are "fun based" and their is always something in the works. If a different engine will make the car more enjoyable, and you're willing to spend the money, then for gosh sakes do it to make the car more fun. If the car ceases to be fun then stop.

Thirdvert89 06-06-2018 09:56 PM

Re: Your thoughts on engine swap?
 
Qwk trip good point she's looking pretty bad right now but the few times I have driven it it's been enjoyable. Just want it to look and after I'm done enjoying maybe still be able to recoup something when I sell it

MrPackstin 06-06-2018 09:58 PM

Re: Your thoughts on engine swap?
 

Originally Posted by Thirdvert89 (Post 6227042)
... come September she'll be looking and driving perfect guaranteed


Perfect attitude! That car is worth putting some money into. :waveman:

dmccain 06-07-2018 07:30 AM

Re: Your thoughts on engine swap?
 
Its a cool car no doubt. Enjoy it!

LT1/TA 06-07-2018 11:11 AM

Re: Your thoughts on engine swap?
 
Is there anything wrong with the 305?

senior bear 06-07-2018 02:38 PM

Re: Your thoughts on engine swap?
 
350 with the tpi !

Thirdvert89 06-09-2018 03:53 AM

Re: Your thoughts on engine swap?
 

Originally Posted by LT1/TA (Post 6227359)
Is there anything wrong with the 305?

LT1/ta it is. Running on 7 cylinders I believe. there is a rattling noise when u get on it like if there's no oil or water which there is. Has no power

vinny R 06-09-2018 07:22 AM

Re: Your thoughts on engine swap?
 

Originally Posted by Thirdvert89 (Post 6227731)

LT1/ta it is. Running on 7 cylinders I believe. there is a rattling noise when u get on it like if there's no oil or water which there is. Has no power

Since you are putting the time and effort into the rest of the car I think I would do the same with the engine. See if you can diagnose the engine issue. You could have a bad injector or plug wire. If your end game is to sell this when you are done you will at least reduce the amount of potential buyers if you carb swap. I know I would not purchase it with a car swap. If the engine is toast, maybe look for a TPI replacement.:burnout:

MrPackstin 06-16-2018 01:41 PM

Re: Your thoughts on engine swap?
 
Have you considered a compression test? Had a loose connection to a fuel injector connector once...could be numerous reasons.


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