I want to get a crate engine after I buy my Camaro?

Question

I'm really interested in purchasing a second generation Camaro and/or possibly a different muscle car. Everyone has given me great advice, such as that I need to find a car with a good body/interior but the engine doesn't have to be perfect.

I've heard a scenario where I can remove the car's original/current engine and transport it to an autoparts store. Then I will trade the engine in and pay a fee and will receive the crate engine.

I found that Jegs sells a crate engine for $1,500: http://www.jegs.com/webapp/wcs/store...10002_85884_-1

I'm not sure I'm going to have that kind of money after buying the car because I only have $2-$4k. Can I use the trade-in process mentioned above? If so, how much will it cost me for the engine? Thank you.

Answer 1

Since you have a low budget, I'd suggest that you look for either a pristine Camaro with a modified engine and a motivated (some one needing cash in hurry) seller or else scour the government auctions for a used police camaro. Many times the NY State Police, for example, have basketcases that have no body damage, but either the engine or tranny is shot. If you can find a decent one, try to get one that's been used by a supervisor (boss) if possible and then search the wrecking yards for an engine and tranny out a late model low mileage wreck, which will fit into your Camaro. Buying used is generally less expensive than buying a crate engine, the power is good, the low mileage leaves them open for modification at a later stage when you've saved up some more $s. Also, the swap will leave you with a lot of spare parts, and you can sell the long-block as a core back to GM or a rebuilder to recoupe some of your expenses. Bottom line, the modern GM engine off of the assembly line is as well machined as a rebuilder. Sure you can get a stroker or an over bored engine out of a crate, but that may not get you any greater power on the street if you're going to maintain the car in compliance with emission control laws. Instead, I'd work on improving the injectors, upgrading the ECM unit for greater output ( the nice thing about a used police car is that they rarely re-flash the ECM (computer) with the civilian software. So you may very well find that when its installed in the car, the vehicle can easily go to 140 mph because the rev limiting or delays have not been installed.
Horsepower today is largerly electronically driven with the fi, air intake, ignition, and exhaust systems being the chief sources of power. A crated engine is most likely being built for off-road competition. And most use carb set ups which are illegal and non-viable on the street. Remember there is a difference between an outlaw and a rebel.

Answer 2

Just an idea, search www.craigslist.org for a vehicle you like thats already decent. 4k will get you a good starter rod that you can learn with and build from there. Buying a car and then trying to switch engines ends up costing a lot more than you can imagin right now. Unless you know how to fabricate and dig for parts through a junk yard. Trust me I am in the middle of that right now