What would you do?

[Msaone]

Hey guys,

Quick refresher on my sons car. 89 rs ultra clean body but had a rod knock. We bought a used 305, swapped it in and it ran fine.......for a month. Then we got another rod knock. UGH.

My question to you is what now? Not really interested in swapping another used motor in, I dont have time to swap motors every other month.

Thinking about a crate motor and probably going bigger, I'm over the 305.

I'd like to spend between $3-$4k and I'd like to stay fuel injected?

Whats gonna be my best bang for buck? With this budget can I get 300+ hp?

We plan on keeping this car for a long time. What would you do?

[b.lee]

It's hard to say if you really love that body style and the car in general, then maybe a decent low mileage junk yard engine. (and not one that has been sitting for years)

I know LS1 Camaros are cheap... usually $5,000-$7,000... that's not much more than $4k for just an engine.

[Msaone]

I really like 3rd and 4th gens. This is my sons car but after another engine we'll be equal partners (financially speaking), if he doesnt want the car I'll buy it from him. Love? How bout a strong attraction?

[jetice]

Junkyard 5.3 with heads and cam, and a megasquirt. The MS will be a great learning experience for him, especially being younger.

[Darren]

If you want easy just buy a GM performance crate engine...

[Gregs_gsxr]

on the 5.3 swap, my buddy has an extra complete 6.0 too laying around my house. I'll see if he wants to sell if your thinking about doing an ls swap

[98blackbeauty]

This could be great experience for him, pull engine have crank machined and reassembled as short block, new rings then you know what you got instead of a swap. State motors is very good and reasonable.

[Lucky SOB]

Im with Darren, a nice GM crate 350

[Darren]

Lots of choices....

http://www.summitracing.com/search/d...engine-type/v8

[nascarnate326]

Id say get your engine rebuilt. Depending on how much work you do it can be done for under a grand.

[Fox Slaughter]

Shoehorn a 502 in.

[TylerT/AZ28]

350 swap, you can build a decent 350 or 383 for less than your 3-4k mark. id swap to carb though itd be easiest and cheapest and if you pick the right carb amnd tune it correctly you can make it run damn near perfect. otherwise like everyones saying a 5.3L can go for anywhere from a few hundred bucks just for the engine, grab a harness for 100 or so, trans engine mounts and some other stuff and you might be able to pull it off within your price range.

[hoogiesngrinderz]

Auto or manual trans?

I assume it's a TBI motor, which do not like cams with any lope and cannot support high HP numbers unless they are worked over.

[Darren]

350 swap, you can build a decent 350 or 383 for less than your 3-4k mark. id swap to carb though itd be easiest and cheapest and if you pick the right carb amnd tune it correctly you can make it run damn near perfect. otherwise like everyones saying a 5.3L can go for anywhere from a few hundred bucks just for the engine, grab a harness for 100 or so, trans engine mounts and some other stuff and you might be able to pull it off within your price range.

Id beg to differ on swapping to carb being the easiest...

[Msaone]

Id say get your engine rebuilt. Depending on how much work you do it can be done for under a grand.

That may not be a bad idea. I'd like to have it assembled, I can drop in it no problem.