Well, I'm not sure where best to post this- so I figure here in GFC will get the most responses And it is Fiero related seeing as how it would eventually end up in a Fiero (most likely my 87 GT)!

I located a guy in the Chicago area willing to sell a complete 350 TPI Engine with all wiring, computer and accessories for $700. The catch is the condition. Here's what he sent me:

quote Hello and thanks for the email. The car the motor came from had just over 100K. The guy I bought it from claimed it was just rebuilt, but the car was not running when I got it. The steering column was torn apart because the VATS system (computer chip in key) went bad. At any rate, the under dash wiring was a real mess when I got into it. I got the car to turn over, but the fuel pump was also shot (only putting out 8-10 psi). That is quite a big job, as well as the under dash harness being destroyed so I parted it out. I did get the motor to run briefly, but I had to shoot starting fluid in it so it just ran for a few seconds. It sounded ok when it was running, but like I said it was just for a few seconds. The block was painted Chevy orange, and it is obvious that the motor was apart recently. I apologize for the long answer, but I wanted to be honest about the motor and let you know that I dont know a whole lot about it other than what I mentioned. The motor is a complete L98 350 TPI complete with all accesories (serpentine belt), new starter, all TPI parts, engine harness (uncut), computer, MAF sensor, etc...EVERYTHING you would need to make a non TPI car, a TPI car. $700.00 for everything. It is removed from the car and ready to go. Please email me if you are interested or have any other questions. Thank you.

I know that good condition/running TPI 350s regularly sell for over $1200-1500 on Ebay (and this is an L98). I would definitely plan a full teardown/rebuild of the engine, as well as throw a few performance items in the mix.

So... what do you think?

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Looking for Fiero posters?

[This message has been edited by MinnGreenGT (edited 03-06-2003).]

Sounds like a good deal to me. My old Corvette was an L98 and I loved it. A hypertech Thermomaster, modified MAF, and true duels with no cats made it a helluva mover.. and still got 28mpg average!

I think it should go in something with T-tops though!

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Sounds like a good deal to me. Yeah, I am sure someone out there somewhere has come across a better deal, but for $700 - I'd do it.

Hartz

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'84 SC 5.7L V8
'85 SE 3.1L V6 Turbo
Hartz's Toys

Yeah I came across a better deal.. but you know what... I wouldnt pass that up either...

Consider that on Ebay the intake, harness, and ecm package usually go for $400 and up... That 4 sure is a kicka$$ deal..

Good luck.

-Darius

Sounds like a pretty good deal to me. Condition is everything. If it is a vats car. What he is saying corresponds. Without the correct key the ECM wont fire the injectors. So it will run on starting fluid, but not on its own. What is the engine out of?

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LS1 v8 T-Top 87 GT

http://ls1swap.tripod.com/

quote Originally posted by LS1swap: What is the engine out of?

It's from an '89 IROC.

I figure I'll probably drop the original harness in favor of a "Painless" harness anyway.

Thanks to those responding... and more responses & input are certainly welcome!

Songman- I don't think I can afford both the T-Top project car and a V8 conversion (on top of my other expected mods). Heck, if I do get the L98... I'll probably take my time rebuilding it and won't even look at getting the install kit until sometime next year. (and did I mention that my GreenGT is still in need of paint... which I'd like to go out on a limb and do myself)

Alright, alright! Just put the 3.4 in the T-top when you put the V8 in the GT!

yeah, I'd say thats a good deal. If you pass on it, let me know. I'm ready to get soemthing like this right now. Chicago's right over the border for me. LMK
See ya at dells.

quote Originally posted by KissMySSFiero: yeah, I'd say thats a good deal. If you pass on it, let me know. I'm ready to get soemthing like this right now. Chicago's right over the border for me. LMK See ya at dells.

Will do Joe (for some reason, I knew that you might be interested if I passed on it- notice I didn't post the guy's email ).

quote Originally posted by Unltd1: Consider that on Ebay the intake, harness, and ecm package usually go for $400 and up... That 4 sure is a kicka$$ deal..

That's the same reason that I think it's a good deal.

Archie

quote Originally posted by Archie: That's the same reason that I think it's a good deal. Archie

SWEET! I'm on the right track to thinking like the V8 master, RIGHT ON! I feel special..

Archies video is the bomb..

"get that girly engine out of there" LOL I had to rewind that so many times...

(ps I got my whole engine ECM etc etc [85 TPI] for $160.....but then again that was luck luck luck..)

I'm willing to bet a bell in Archies office rings everytime someone finds a V8...(not just the phone though) LOL

-Darius

Well... I'm pretty sure I'm going to get it now. Thanks everyone for their input- it was extremely helpful in my decision making process.

I requested a pic and the seller just emailed me this
(with his apologies for not having it in a more spacous location for a better pic):

Hmmm... I'm really looking forward to seeing this sitting in my garage for awhile (and eventually in the back of the GreenGT!).

Dammit dammit dammit!!! Why can't I find a deal like that!!

This engine hunting is so frustrating!

Good find though!

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It may be to late now, but I would of asked for the VIN number, off the block, the numbers should tell you if it's what the seller claims it is.

[This message has been edited by ChopTop (edited 03-07-2003).]

"The block was painted Chevy orange, and it is obvious that the motor was apart recently."

Looking at the photo above,
How can a person know if its 350 or 305?

[This message has been edited by dewey (edited 03-07-2003).]

quote Originally posted by dewey: Looking at the photo above, How can a person know if its 350 or 305?

You visually can't tell by just looking at the engine from a distance. You'd really probably have to check for block casting numbers... or some other details.

It should have a 5.xL number behind the drivers side head area... that will tell you..

-Darius

quote Originally posted by Unltd1: It should have a 5.xL number behind the drivers side head area... that will tell you.. -Darius

This is a pic from this thread: https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Archives/Archive-000001/HTML/20020319-2-016105.html

As long as its a later model block(87 and up) its casted in the block like stated above. the earlier blocks you just get your casting numbers and match them at www.mortec.com (i think thats the address)
They also tell you where to look for casting numbers. There is also information on cylinder head castings.

If you do pass, LMK. I have some parts you may want for your Ttop car if you cant get the deal. That thing would fit nice in your Green GT.

quote Originally posted by KissMySSFiero: As long as its a later model block(87 and up) its casted in the block like stated above.

Thanks for the casting link !! that rules...

My block has it the right number for the year cast in it.. and it also has the 5.x number cast into it.. It is an 85 305.. so maybe there are some exceptions before 87..

14010201...305...80-85...2

but again thanks for that link its good to verify by casting number too

-Darius

at mortec it just states that later blocks have the 5.X casted into them. I just assumed that ment for 87 and later because thats when they changed the casting to accomodate the factory roller cam. Guess thats why you shouldnt assume.

Doh! I just got an email back from the guy... turns out that when he went to check the casting VIN on the block, he found "5.0" on it... the block (or maybe the whole motor) had apparantly been swapped out at some time!

He apologized profusely, and was kind enough to give me the name of a friend of his who has another engine for sale. I'll post an update when I find out more!

Joe- email me if you're still interested, and I'll give you the guys email addy (maybe he'll sell it for a lot less now that he knows its only a 305).

If you could get the price down far enough, it might be worth buying for the intake and injection system...

Sounds like a great deal! There are people selling TPI manifold setups alone for more than that!

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'86 Pontiac Fiero SE 2.8
'75 Fiat 124 Sport Spider 1800
'88 Ford T-Bird 2.3 Turbo Coupe This car is for sale! 2.3 l. 4cyl w/T-5 turbo-fast and fuel efficient, alarm, cd player, LCD in dash. Email if interested.
'67 Chevrolet K10

Well- I emailed Joe the guy's addy. I'm still checking on his friends L98 TPI (which I believe he's asking $1k for). I'll make a decision one way or another after I talk to the new guy with the engine...

[This message has been edited by MinnGreenGT (edited 03-12-2003).]

I emailed him. Hmmmm so you say a real L98 for $1000? thats not a bad deal either.

If you can grab an L98 out of a Vet for $1,000 jump on it quick!!!

Back in 1993, before the price of crate motors dropped considerably, I'm told they paid $6,000 for the L98 in my car (which came out of a wrecked Vet with 6,000 miles on it). Then it was built up with all the High Performance Parts and Modifications.

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Click to Listen!

Is there any difference between the L98 in the Y-body and F-body? (I'm assuming the 350TPI in the F-body was also the L98).

Depending on the year model, there are some subtle differences between the Y and F body. The 'Vette -should- be a 4 bolt main block. Early L98 Vettes had an external EGR pipe from the passenger side exhaust manifold to the rear of the intake instead of the traditional through the center of the head passage. The 'Vette runners are a solid cast piece where the F bodies have an aluminum tube runner with cast ends. L98 Vettes had the large cap HEI where the F body changed to the small cap when they went to the speed density system (1990). The fuel rail puts the inlet/return lines in different places. Early Vettes have an oil cooler that uses engine coolant passing through an adapter on the filter boss, and have an oil temp sensor. Some Vettes got an aluminum plenum extension (over the top of the distributer) where the F body had plastic. The speed density Vettes used an under the hood mounted ecm (727)where the F body kept the 730. There is more, but that is all that I could think of right off the top of my head

quote Originally posted by KissMySSFiero: I emailed him. Hmmmm so you say a real L98 for $1000? thats not a bad deal either.

His friend has an '88 Formula 350 w/126k miles that was T-Boned on the driver's side. Everything complete & running (engine, wiring, etc) for $1200... but he has promised it to a friend- who he's giving a few days to cough up the cash. Said he'd let me know after that.

I may have found another from a running '89 Formula w/180k miles (rebuilt at 100k)... seller may take $1800 for the whole car (drivable w/clean title, 700R4 & 3.27 posi) or $1k for the engine & accessories if I can wait a month or so for him to pull it. ...I'm thinking about picking up the whole car and driving it for a bit just for fun- but that'll depend on funds. Can anyone run a CarFax for me?

Oh yeah- I also just sold my '88 T-top coupe which will allow me to cough up the money for this very soon!

[This message has been edited by MinnGreenGT (edited 03-13-2003).]

quote Originally posted by Cooter: Depending on the year model, there are some subtle differences between the Y and F body. The 'Vette -should- be a 4 bolt main block. Early L98 Vettes had an external EGR pipe from the passenger side exhaust manifold to the rear of the intake instead of the traditional through the center of the head passage. The 'Vette runners are a solid cast piece where the F bodies have an aluminum tube runner with cast ends. L98 Vettes had the large cap HEI where the F body changed to the small cap when they went to the speed density system (1990). The fuel rail puts the inlet/return lines in different places. Early Vettes have an oil cooler that uses engine coolant passing through an adapter on the filter boss, and have an oil temp sensor. Some Vettes got an aluminum plenum extension (over the top of the distributer) where the F body had plastic. The speed density Vettes used an under the hood mounted ecm (727)where the F body kept the 730. There is more, but that is all that I could think of right off the top of my head

You forgot the most important part. The F-body L98's came with cast iron heads where as the Vettes came with aluminum. That was a big reason for the higher price that Cali-kid refered to before they started selling crate engines. Very popular swap for the 305 crowd was to get the vette aluminum heads. They were 58cc heads like the 305's but with better breathing. Many people swaped them on the L98 iron head motors too of course.

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N.I.F.E. Activities Director

***In my Homer Simpson voice*** Doh!!!
I forgot about the aluminum heads- I have an early '86 Vette and I am blessed with the iron heads and external EGR pipe. . . for now For some reason a set of long tube headers and a pair of AFR 190's seem to be calling my name.

How about $1100 for an 87 L98? From a Vette. Complete less the accessories. Thats the price shipped to my door. The harness was cut, but included. PCM included. I have a harness from an 87 TA. It has just under 100k.

Does that sound like a bad deal? Aluminum heads, roller cam, 350 cubes. I just hope I'm not jumpin' the gun. With the miles, I intend on going thru the motor. The zz4 cam's are cheap new from pullout motors.

So with the cam, roller rockers, a freshened motor, some minor porting, and Im close to 300 ponies for under $1500-$2000 IF(big IF) I can get away with just honing the cylinders. Only a machine shop will tell.

BTW whats stock Compression on the Vette L98?

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88 Yellow FORMULA
SSFiero@Aol.com

Stock 240 hp with 345 torque, compression 9.5:1

UPDATE!
I decided to go with the 2nd engine from the first guy I talked to. ($1000 engine only, from an '89 Firebird Formula 350 - decided I didn't need another complete car). So I paid him 1/2 awhile back and made plans to pick it up at a later time... Well, this past weekend was the time!

I left my place at about 6am and drove pretty well straight through to Chicago (just stopped for Gas & Breakfast). I made it to Brandon's (the seller) house just past noon. Luckily one of his friends came over to help us load the SBC into the F150 I had borrowed. It's really not easy loading the engine, even with a hoist, into a truck with a topper (had to unbolt and lift the topper to get it in). But all was well, and I strapped the sucker in with 8 heavy-duty bungee straps (it "centered" itself the first time I stopped, but that was it for movement the whole trip).

I stopped on a side street after I left and placed a call to Archie, who kindly welcomed me to stop by for a tour & a chat since I was in the area (about 30 minutes away) and he was at the shop. It was great to see Archie's shop and a bunch of his show & project cars up close all at once, as well as to have a bit of time to hang out and chat with Archie. Thanks Archie for your hospitality and the tour (btw: the videotape I picked up from you turned out to be blank LOL). I also had the pleasure of meeting GMGW3, his Dad(?) whose PFF name I missed, and Wife/GF(?) who were dropping off another of Archie's project cars. I managed to get back on the road about 3:30pm and started heading back north (although I would've loved to stay longer).

I finally made it back home around 9:15pm... which made for a total of nearly 15 hours on the road in one day (I got to see both sunrise & sunset in Minnesota).

Sunday, I called up my friend Matt to help me out. We stopped by my parent's place and stole my Dad's Engine Hoist and an Engine Stand (which wasn't currently in use). Reassembled the stuff in my Garage - then proceeded to unload the engine. It wasn't an easy process, but we finally got it out of the pickup and mounted on the stand (then had to take the engine hoist back to my Dad's place). So there it sits:

It'll be quite sometime before I really can tear into it and get it going. For now I have to just sit and dream about working on it... or I can pretend to "drive" it:

...just couldn't resist the photo opportunity!

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Looking for Fiero posters?

[This message has been edited by MinnGreenGT (edited 04-14-2003).]

Ahh, i know the feeling. Next weekend I'm picking up my beast. Unfortunetly, I don't have a truck. I may have to take my roommates KIA Sportage. My truck Is undergoing an engine swap right now(possibly 350) I'm going to be picking up a motor for that this week I hope. Now I gotta find the time to do these.
Good luck with the swap.

[This message has been edited by KissMySSFiero (edited 04-14-2003).]

quote Originally posted by KissMySSFiero: Ahh, i know the feeling. Next weekend I'm picking up my beast. Unfortunetly, I don't have a truck. I may have to take my roommates KIA Sportage. My truck Is undergoing an engine swap right now(possibly 350) I'm going to be picking up a motor for that this week I hope. Now I gotta find the time to do these. Good luck with the swap. http://ebay0.ipixmedia.com/abc/M28/_EBAY_12bc93bc00f0191bb6485744de47d42f/i-1.JPG http://ebay0.ipixmedia.com/abc/M28/_EBAY_12bc93bc00f0191bb6485744de47d42f/i-2.JPG

Yeah, I decided that I didn't want to use my '94 Olds Bravada to transport the engine, so I borrowed my father-in-law's '95 Ford F150 Pickup... it wouldn't be my first choice for a pickup, but it worked just fine!

Hehe- your engine looks a bit cleaner than mine Also, with those corvette emblems on there - I assume that you're even luckier and getting the aluminum heads as well? I think that the engine I picked up must've originally been a California car - Smog Pump (which I've never actually seen before) and all it's associated stuff is everywhere! I can hardly wait to start tearing this thing apart.

Rob, congrats on your new motor... after it's installed your gonna need to change your name to 'Mean'Green GT!

May I suggest after you pull the smog eqp that you box it up and send it off to CARB HQ? That should be good for a couple of laughs somewhere.

MMMMMMMMMMMMMM,,, With the angle the pic was taken from,, it appears that that you are sitting on a monster powered lawn mower engine .
Can you say ride em cowboy

Rob,
Mine is actually a zz3 with accel's 1000cfm TPI-notice siamesed runners- It also has the Gen VI DFI and comes with the laptop with all the software. The guy I got it from bought an older Vette with this in it. He doesnt like fuel injection so he pulled it and put in a carbed big Block. It also has the 2.5inch collector Ram Horns on it. So I'm close to set on the engine.

But now I started a 350Swap on my S10. I'm checkin out a motor for that on my way home from work. So thats gonna hold off the fiero for a month or two. But I still may get done by Fierorama. Will see.

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SSFiero@Aol.com Support Mental Health, or I'll Kill Ya's!!
Yellow Formula Signature

• 88 Yellow FORMULA-undergoing ZZ3 350 with Accel 1000CFM Street Ram TPI and Gen VI DFI=345HP/390TQ
  
• chevy S10 Parts Fetcher-undergoing Stock roller cam 350 with TBI
  
• 87SE V6 auto-L4 to V6 done, Daily Driver
  
• My Shower Cam