Next steps for my garage (?)

[Shark Racer]

I just got a buyer for my "new" car, and will be down to my "old" car and a truck.

So, I'm weighing my options:


==option 1==
The old car is a 78 Corvette, in pretty good shape, with a relatively low miles motor.

The motor, however, is a Goodwrench 350 with AFR heads and a mild (216/216-110, Crane Energizer 272 hydraulic flat tappet) cam. I'm in CA and stuck with keeping the car fairly stock appearing. That said, I've got a "motorvation" plan that should work pretty well:

~10:1 CR small block
Hydraulic roller cam (thinking high 210s with a higher LSA(112 or 113) to help a hair with smog and idle)
Late model 350 block, stroker rotating asm (383)
ZZ4 intake (see the smog note above otherwise, I'd go with a high rise dual plane. Plan would be to port this one as much as possible to match the heads)
AFR 195 heads
QuadraJet carb (I've learned a thing or two about building these, I'm not afraid to get in and mess with them, or customize them.)

The drawback though is that while the motor I currently have isn't ideal (I threw heads and cam on the stock motor without putting much thought into it, power is "soggy" below 2500 to say the least. The intent (many years ago) was to use these heads on the "next" engine, which still hasn't happened).

This would leave me with a fair lump of cash to throw into the savings account and not think about anything for a while, but would leave me without a comfy mountain road runner.


==option 2==
...so the other thought:

An 07/08 Boxster S or 06-08 Cayman S(M97 engine, which is *less* prone to KB than the other ones). I'd be looking for a car with 40-60k miles, and something in the mid 20s. Yeah, I can't afford a new Porsche (financially or mentally)

I owned an 03 Boxster before, and have driven more than a handful of the cars and absolutely am in love with the steering/brakes/transmission/engine sound. It won't be able to compare with my outgoing car's engine, but as a street car it would be a boatload more fun to drive.

I would have a car I can (mostly) trust to go on a long trip on and scoot down highway 1 or whatever. I'm not particularly interested in modifying the car in this slot (the car it's replacing is mostly unmodified).

But I'd be left without a whole heck of a lot of money left over from the sale of the "new" car.

WWLGD?

[GregWeld]

You're absolutely right that the motor would be "soggy" at low rpms --- that's because the AFR heads most likely REDUCED the already ridiculously low compression ratio of that motor. BUT --- you were also right in that the heads might be useful on the next motor if you choose to go that route....


However -- with the low cost of complete GM crate motors -- you might be better off just going the ZZ4 or the 383 fast burn complete motor route (that's a weekend swap project at most!)... and you'd have a factory warranty and a fun little car... and my guess is you could pass Cali emissions for your vintage car.

Shop for a discount and you should be will under 6 grand to do this swap.

I'm not a fan of the late 70's Vettes - but it would still be a nice car to drive daily provided it has some fun factor with it.

Buy a used Porsche -- and you could be 6K into a transmission a month after you buy... They're not cheap to maintain... so that's kind of a crap shoot to me. Yeah -- they're killer little cars -- but they can bust you with a relatively minor mechanical issue. Of course, the Corvette could also break down - but parts and service would be far far less than the comparable Porsche.


I'd rather have a decent fun car - the vette with new propulsion - and have some money in the bank and freedom from the fear factor.

[Shark Racer]

Originally Posted by GregWeld

You're absolutely right that the motor would be "soggy" at low rpms --- that's because the AFR heads most likely REDUCED the already ridiculously low compression ratio of that motor. BUT --- you were also right in that the heads might be useful on the next motor if you choose to go that route....


However -- with the low cost of complete GM crate motors -- you might be better off just going the ZZ4 or the 383 fast burn complete motor route (that's a weekend swap project at most!)... and you'd have a factory warranty and a fun little car... and my guess is you could pass Cali emissions for your vintage car.

Shop for a discount and you should be will under 6 grand to do this swap.

I'm not a fan of the late 70's Vettes - but it would still be a nice car to drive daily provided it has some fun factor with it.

Buy a used Porsche -- and you could be 6K into a transmission a month after you buy... They're not cheap to maintain... so that's kind of a crap shoot to me. Yeah -- they're killer little cars -- but they can bust you with a relatively minor mechanical issue. Of course, the Corvette could also break down - but parts and service would be far far less than the comparable Porsche.


I'd rather have a decent fun car - the vette with new propulsion - and have some money in the bank and freedom from the fear factor.

The trouble with the ZZ4 (and I've thought about it, a lot!) is that the L98 heads on there don't have the exhaust crossover port. So the warranty would be gone as soon as I popped the heads off.

I know some people have fixed that by piping exhaust gas to the choke hot air plate, though.

This is the 78 in question, for what it's worth:


I'm kind of "stuck" with the car. I've owned it for 14 years, it was my first car, and the previous(and first) owner was my grandmother. (yes, I drive a grandma-mobile)

I definitely appreciate the advice. It would make a ton more financial sense too. That's why I got into modifying old American cars.

[GregWeld]

Buy a complete crate motor - and don't touch it!


Nice car by the way -- that makes my decision even easier! I'd drive that any day provided it had a fun motor in it.

[camcojb]

Originally Posted by GregWeld

Buy a complete crate motor - and don't touch it!


Nice car by the way -- that makes my decision even easier! I'd drive that any day provided it had a fun motor in it.

Yep!

[Rick D]

My take because you asked, why not spend a little more and convert to the Erod LS motor?? I thought it was 50 state approved? For sure you will spend more but also a very reliable car. But again I don't know if it will work in Cali?

What ever way you go, I would stay with the Vett for sure, nice car!!