The Oldsmobile Connection

[78_DELTA_88]

Hello everyone, I have a 1978 Delta 88, with 67,000 miles on it. I'm getting my transmissionn (turbo 350) rebuilt w/ a shift kit. What I wanna know is should I:

A.) Buy this 1978 Trans AM and do a engine swap ( Pontiac 400- TOTALLY rebuilt and bored .60 over ) $2500 gets me the whole car, but the guy swears it is a 400hp motor.

B.) Take that $2500 and rebuild my motor


The thing is I really only want to spend about 5k tops. That would include either buying that Pontiac motor and having it installed with all the necessary parts, or paying to have my motor build up (300-350 hp it what I want.)

P.S. either way any suggestions on rear end work, and gears?

[88 Coupe]

Hi 78_DELTA_88,

Welcome to TOC.

Quote: ........ getting my transmission ........ rebuilt w/ a shift kit ........
Normally one would spec a trans rebuild for its planned use. What did you tell the rebuilder when you took it in, and which kit did you get?

Quote: ........ What I wanna know is should I: ........
You are asking how to get somewhere. First, we need to know where you are now, then where you wish to go.

Quote: ........ Pontiac 400- totally rebuilt and bored .60 over ........
First question to ask is, why did it need that much bore? Unless there were no mistakes in the rebuild, sixty over can cause problems.

What does he mean by "totally rebuilt"? Who rebuilt it, what was done to it, and what specs were used?

Quote: ........ but the guy swears ........
Does he have the receipts? Why is it for sale?

Quote: ........ it is a 400hp motor ........
By itself, the number means nothing.

Quote: ........ and rebuild my motor ........
Does it need to be rebuilt?

Quote: ........ I really only want to spend about 5k tops ........
That is the answer to one of our first questions. Another is, how much loss in fuel mileage can you live with?

Quote: ........ That would include either buying that Pontiac motor and having it installed with all the necessary parts ........
An engine of unknown origin/condition and having to pay the associated labor costs? Are you a gambler?

Quote: ........ 300-350 hp it what I want .........
In the real world, those numbers don't mean much. What you want the car to do, is what matters most.

Quote: ........ any suggestions on rear end work, and gears?
No way to answer without knowing what your goal is?

Regards, Norm