I've got a chance to buy a 95 Z-28 Convertible for $4500. The catch is that it's got bad lower engine noise.

Any idea/recommendations on the most cost effective way to repair? I would be paying somebody as I don't have any place (nor the time or tools) to do any of the work myself.

Is it worth it? How much would it run to get a new engine installed? I would like to keep the fuel injection and try to keep it stock.

Thanks in advance for everyone's input!

 

this question is waaay to broad. The noise could be anything. You could have to toally rebuild the engine or just do something "minor" like tighten up a loose RR....you need to get in there (or get someone to get in there) to see whats up.

 

Yep...

If I were you, I would ask to borrow the car for a few hours, and make an appt. in advance w/ a respected mechanic, someone who has worked on these cars before. Also, how many miles does the car have?

 

What others have posted makes sense. But if you want a "worst case scenario" you would be looking at ~$5,000 for a completely rebuilt short block along with the labor to do the remove and reinstall along with installation of your top end and accessories. In a rural area the price will be toward the low end, if you are in metropolitan area it may be higher.

If the motor has to come out, you at least also want to also rebuild the heads (valve job, valve guides if needed, etc.). It's silly not to.

Rich Krause

 

I would just plan on replacing the motor for your financial plans. If you don't need to, so much the better, but plan on it for the purpose of determining if you actually want to purchase the vehicle, that way you will not be dissapointed later.

 

The car has about 85K miles on it. The noise sounds like the crank bearings - so I would assume it would need a shortblock rebuild. I've seen some threads about crate motors (I assume this is a new/rebuilt shortblock) - how much would a stock (if such a thing exists) crate motor?

5K as a worse case scenario sounds like a lot (especially since it seems like 99/00 Z28 Conv't are going for about 12K.

Sounds like I may have to pass if I can't come up with a plan to rebuild it for less than $2500

I guess the hunt continues - thanks for everyone's input!

 

There is a GP in the Vendor section about a budget stroker kit, $1200 + shipping + core. I don't see why that wouldn't get you where you need, since that'd include a new crank and rods and pistons and the works.

On a sidenote, yes, such a thing (crate motor) exists (see sig). I have one, and they are NOT cheap (~$4000 for longblock) and I would not go that route if I had the choice again today. Of course, I had no mods whatsoever at the time and I wanted something I knew would be reliable.

 

If the goal is to keep the car ultimately "stock" my hunch is keep looking. If you want a "modified" vehicle this is an opportunity for a project. I would stay away from stroker type kits as there are often many other costs involved. I have a stroker shortblock that cost mer $4,000.00 1 1/2 years ago, assembled. There is nothing cheap about a stroker.

You may want to look around for a 355 shortblock and get a local price for installation. That might well be your best bet on this car.

 

Sallee Chevrolet or Scoggins Dickey
Factory 4 bolt main new short block $1650-$1750

 

That seems more in line with the prices I expected - any idea how much it would cost to have them remove the old engine and install the new short block?

Also, is Sallee Chevrolet or Scoggins Dickey an mail order place or are they dealers in Arizona? Or are those prices I should be able to get from any local dealer?

 

Like I said, depends on labor costs where you are. But you also have to figure that there is another few hundred in gaskets, fluids, etc. But most places you are looking at a total of at least $4,000, maybe more if in an urban area provided you do as i suggested and at least get a valve job done while the heads are out. keep in mind, this is a short block, not a complete engine. It needs everything from the oil pan, the Opti, the waterpump, the intake, plugs and wires, etc. to be removed from the old motor and installed on the new one. A fair bit of work when you include the motor R+R.

Rich Krause

 

Scoggins Dickey is in Texas
Sallee Chevrolet is in Oregon

Both are Chevrolet dealers. These short blocks are pretty hard to come by. I doubt most other dealers have them or can get them.

I've been quoted anywhere from $600-$1500 for the engine R & R

I would Say that about $800-1000 is fair but probably depends on your area.
I would think you are looking at $1,000 in extras like gaskets, opti,coolant and misc.

I bet $3500-$4000 is pretty close

If you buy all the parts which a lot of shops don't like you could save a lot