Lenny B
Well-Known Member
Hello Everyone,
So I'm thinking about what to do as far as the engine and trans for my car, a 1968 Coronet Hardtop with the original 318 engine with an Automatic. Right now I'm in the process of doing all the body work. I'm also currently thinking about what makes the most sense for the engine money wise. I know the car will never be a high dollar car but it will be a really nice rust free car in excellent condition regardless of which setup I go with. After each option I posted what I think the car would be worth. Please post what your thoughts as to the value with the engine setup would be. So far the drivetrain options I have in mind are:
1st Option) rebuild the #s matching 318 and automatic. I would recondition the lower end and the install Aluminum heads, manifold, cam, carb, etc.... The car would be about a 325ish HP car. Money wise the engine would cost about $6000 to do. The trans I would rebuild myself along with the rear end which would be a 3.55 gear with sure grip. This option woold be the least money invested because I already have it. I would hope to be able to sell the car for $20K to $25K.
2nd Option) Buy a donor 383 car for about $1500 to $2000. I would recondition the lower end and the install Aluminum heads, manifold, cam, carb, etc.... similar to the small block mentioned in option #1. The car would be about a 425ish HP car. Money wise the engine would cost about $6000 to do. The trans I would rebuild myself along with the rear end which would be a 3.55 gear with sure grip. This option would cost a bit more because I would have to buy the donor car. I would hope to be able to sell the car also for $20K to $25K also.
3rd option) Buy a Modern 392 Hemi Crate engine and Modern Automatic with Overdrive (485 HP). This option would cost a lot more than options 1 and 2, probably at least $30K more and would require a lot of customization. Not sure what a restomod like this would sell for. I would think if I did a really nice job it would be in the $30 to $35 range.
What option do you think makes the most sense?
So far in my mind option #1 is the easiest and least expensive, and it keeps the car somewhat #s matching. On the down side, it would still be a 318 car. Option 2 is also not that hard to achieve and actually sounds the best to me because of the idea of having an old school Big Block and it's not to difficult to make it work. Addition cost compared to option 1 would be around $3 to $4K. Option #3 sounds cool but would cost a lot more to make happen and I may be in over my head technically with that one.
What do you think? Below is what I envision for the build to look like:
So I'm thinking about what to do as far as the engine and trans for my car, a 1968 Coronet Hardtop with the original 318 engine with an Automatic. Right now I'm in the process of doing all the body work. I'm also currently thinking about what makes the most sense for the engine money wise. I know the car will never be a high dollar car but it will be a really nice rust free car in excellent condition regardless of which setup I go with. After each option I posted what I think the car would be worth. Please post what your thoughts as to the value with the engine setup would be. So far the drivetrain options I have in mind are:
1st Option) rebuild the #s matching 318 and automatic. I would recondition the lower end and the install Aluminum heads, manifold, cam, carb, etc.... The car would be about a 325ish HP car. Money wise the engine would cost about $6000 to do. The trans I would rebuild myself along with the rear end which would be a 3.55 gear with sure grip. This option woold be the least money invested because I already have it. I would hope to be able to sell the car for $20K to $25K.
2nd Option) Buy a donor 383 car for about $1500 to $2000. I would recondition the lower end and the install Aluminum heads, manifold, cam, carb, etc.... similar to the small block mentioned in option #1. The car would be about a 425ish HP car. Money wise the engine would cost about $6000 to do. The trans I would rebuild myself along with the rear end which would be a 3.55 gear with sure grip. This option would cost a bit more because I would have to buy the donor car. I would hope to be able to sell the car also for $20K to $25K also.
3rd option) Buy a Modern 392 Hemi Crate engine and Modern Automatic with Overdrive (485 HP). This option would cost a lot more than options 1 and 2, probably at least $30K more and would require a lot of customization. Not sure what a restomod like this would sell for. I would think if I did a really nice job it would be in the $30 to $35 range.
What option do you think makes the most sense?
So far in my mind option #1 is the easiest and least expensive, and it keeps the car somewhat #s matching. On the down side, it would still be a 318 car. Option 2 is also not that hard to achieve and actually sounds the best to me because of the idea of having an old school Big Block and it's not to difficult to make it work. Addition cost compared to option 1 would be around $3 to $4K. Option #3 sounds cool but would cost a lot more to make happen and I may be in over my head technically with that one.
What do you think? Below is what I envision for the build to look like: