Guys,

Client of a friend is trying to get rid of a 79 Vette. It needs engine and tranny but has body and interior. He only wants $200 for it. It would be a while before I could get started working on it so I would have to tow it and pay for storage until I move in November. Do you still think it would be worth it?

What motor and tranny ( realistic ones please!!) do you think I should drop in it if I could get it?

Jonny

Good god get it man! You could turn that thing into a monster

Good god get it man! You could turn that thing into a monster

LOL, yeah, that's what I was thinking. But I know nothing about the cars or the motors that went in them back then.

Any suggestions?

Jonny

I don't know much about those older cars, but I do remember watching Horsepower TV or one of those shows and they mention GM sells the LS1 engine in a crate for people who want to add it to their older muscle cars... it was about $5,000 for the engine or so.

I don't know much about those older cars, but I do remember watching Horsepower TV or one of those shows and they mention GM sells the LS1 engine in a crate for people who want to add it to their older muscle cars... it was about $5,000 for the engine or so.

Yeah, but truthfully, if I had $5000 to drop into a car - it would be going toward a supercharger for my GS. I just want something to play with on weekends that can be cheap yet rewarding.

Jonny

Now I dont know anything about them either, but a niiiiiice 350 crate engine could be had for $3k shipped with a warranty, then pick up a tranny for $500-1000, and you've got a sick car. If you wanted to go cheaper, check out some junkyards for both the engine and tranny, and you could have that thing goin for less than $1500 :thumbup:

PS. I just did a lil research, and some of those cars actually came with a 350, which replaced the previous 327's. Either way, you could find a nice new one off ebay

i say put a 2jz or RB25/6 into it. then pull up and rev against a C6 and watch his headspin trying to figure out what ur running :D

Guys,

Client of a friend is trying to get rid of a 79 Vette. It needs engine and tranny but has body and


What kind of shape is the fiberglass body in? Inspect it carefully.......an asking price of only $200 makes me a little leery. Obviously there will be no body rust but there could be other problems.....and any significant work on fiberglass panels can be very expensive.

What kind of shape is the fiberglass body in? Inspect it carefully.......an asking price of only $200 makes me a little leery. Obviously there will be no body rust but there could be other problems.....and any significant work on fiberglass panels can be very expensive.

Have not seen the car in person yet so I am unsure as to how the fiberglass is. I have a bodyguy who does all my work so I can get great prices on the work.

Will let you know when I get to see it.

Take care,
Jonny

I think if you get this car you will be putting more money into it and less money will be going into the GS

Run away. The late 70's Corvettes were mere shadows of their prior and later selves. Poor quality and poor performance.

hmm ill take a refund for the mufflers :p . that would be a sweet project car and just to it little by little. even if you have to pay storage till november it would be worth it.

Hmmmm, would be an interesting project. I'd get it and drop this bad boy into it.
http://www.crateenginedepot.com/store/ZZ572-Crate-Engine-720R-Deluxe-Race-Engine-12498827--P6C54.aspx

Get a TH400 and you're good to go.

I would let this one pass. Its something you don't need at the moment, and like you said you don't have time for it now. It may turn out to be a huge burden for you. Shipping, storage, searching for parts/labour etc.

You get what you pay for - this will be a GIANT HEADACHE. Don't do it.

If you are looking for a project car, you can’t beat a Corvette. There are plenty of parts available and you have lots of options. From a simple rebuild to a full rame-off restoration – even a big-block conversion – all are relatively straightforward projects. There is no shortage of information on this car and lots of car clubs that can be invaluable in terms of advice and assistance.

If you are willing to invest the time and money, it would make a great project car. If you do most of the work yourself, figure on a couple years of weekends. A friend is completing a similar project – a complete frame-off rebuild of an ’82 he converted to a low mileage big block he finagled from a wreck. He and his wife have spent about four years on the project and the result is absolutely beautiful. They can recover their cash investment, and make a nice fat profit anytime they want – but for now, they’re going to DRIVE their baby.

If you’re down in East Texas and a gorgeous metallic red-orange ‘Vette convertible with side pipes thunders by with two grinning idiots inside, wave! :D

Well its pretty simple actually, if you can afford to spend the time and money needed for such a project then by all means, it will be fun. If you don't have either the time nor the extra money then yes it will be a burden and not worth getting into even if the car was free.