Price to pay

razor26047 · #1 10-16-2005, 05:22 PM

Ok, i'm looking at a 79 firebird with the 6.6 403 in it with the automatic. But my question is how much would you look to pay for this car, its black/ gold without t-tops and the motor is blown. overall the body looks to be in great shape and so is the interior. Its been sitting in my girlfriends grandmothers garage for about 8 or more years. I need to know i really don't know what to offer them for this car and it would be helpful if someone could give me an idea where to find a motor for this car and if it would be better just to rebuild. Thanks guys.

importeater38 · #2 10-16-2005, 05:29 PM

blown motor......id say 3-5 k if the body is mint....unless its some special edition...then again....its not a 4th gen...so i don't know shit

razor26047 · #3 10-16-2005, 06:00 PM

it'd say the body is in a little better that good condition but not quite mint. there's no rust, just chips in the hood from normal driving. Thanks i really need the help

Rally Sport · #4 10-16-2005, 09:35 PM

3-5K since its pretty mint and since it's now a classic, it has more value, although they probably dont know that, i'd offer 2500 for it, then go up if you have to.

About the engine.. since it's blown.. be better to buy a new engine since that 6.6 403 is a pretty weak engine since later 2nd gen firebirds didnt push out alot of horsepower past the 200 HP mark. Im sure you could find an awesome crate engine and if you got the money.

CreepingDeath94 · #5 10-16-2005, 10:58 PM

I would offer the 2500 and go from there. Keep in mind, a rebuild by someone other than yourself runs around $3000 depending on what you do and what parts you use. As far as the engine goes, I would find a Pontiac 400 and work with that...the rebuild on a 403 Olds is probably just as much as a Pontiac rebuild but the Pontiac is a better engine in my opinion. Good luck.

razor26047 · #6 10-17-2005, 01:54 PM

thanks for the help. about the motor, that's kind of a worse case thing and that is what they say is wrong with it but from what ive heard it may just need a little work. i would do the rebuild myself. Thanks for the help though and keep it comin if any one has anything to add.

ikeyballz · #7 10-17-2005, 11:09 PM

well, just my 2 cents..but im sure you can get a cheaper 3rd gen if you want.. lol ive seen old 4th gens go for really really low.. maybe you should check those out too before blowing 3K on it?

Rally Sport · #8 10-18-2005, 12:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ikeyballz

well, just my 2 cents..but im sure you can get a cheaper 3rd gen if you want.. lol ive seen old 4th gens go for really really low.. maybe you should check those out too before blowing 3K on it?

Actually I would go against this, unless 2nd gen Firebirds and Camaros are really abundant in your area. If you get that 2nd gen Firebird, you WILL stand out, unlike if you got a newer 4th gen or a 3rd gen.

I'd definetly buy it, then throw in a new LT1 or something around there, modern power in an old car, perfect.

razor26047 · #9 10-18-2005, 09:20 AM

im kinda gonna try to stay original with it i think though id just want it for shows and cruises and such. gas is too expensive to drive it every day.

MrPbody · #10 10-18-2005, 12:26 PM

The Olds engine is durable enough. There are a few guys extracting tremendous horsepower from them, but they aren't very tough once "pumped up".
There are no "crate" Olds engines unless a small shop is supplying rebuilts in a crate.
If you're staying "stock", the 403 is fine. If you're going to change, the Pontiac is the engine of choice. A small block won't make enough torque to move the heavy car competitively, and a big block Chevy will make it "nose heavy", ruining the best part of a Trans Am (handling).

Jim

razor26047 · #11 10-19-2005, 03:24 PM

any idea on the price of the crate motors?

daveshapellSVT · #12 10-19-2005, 06:07 PM

in reality that car is worth dirt, but guys that own older cars always feel they are worth more then they are. he's gonna want a lot most likley.. there was a guy here in my town with a 79 camaro z28. looked decent and what not and he wanted 6k for it. i told him he was fuckin nuts and left. that was a yr ago and its been sitting in his lawn ever since, still for sale.. No one will pay that much for that old of a car unless they are a die hard fan of that yr and have a lot of money to throw away. i say look for a better car. for 3500 bucks you can get a newer camaro or trans am in way better condition. thats just what i would do

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