Hey guys, I need direction. I recently picked up a 73 Z28, 350, 4 speed, 65K miles, with matching numbers. The body is in excellent condition with virtually no bondo or welding anywhere. My goal is to restore it and eventually sell it down the road. I want to make sure the money I put into it is well spent.

As of now, the engine burns a ton of oil and I have decided to just have it rebuilt. My question is one of weighing performance vs value. Is it better to take it back to stock or to have the thing hopped up with new valves, manifold, headers, pistons, cam, etc. Also, at what point can I beef up the HP before having to reinforce the frame?

Or.. is it better to use a crate engine and set this one aside? If so, which one.

The general question overall regards resale value. Is it better to take a car to stock all the way around including paint? For instance, it is now the GM dark red with white stripes. I would prefer the same general color in metallic.

What would you do????

got any pic's??
Lets see them

Welcome.

As said before, we need pictures. Where are you located?

Jim

Winmag, back to stock is the best route if you want top dollar down the road. If you plan on never seling it, then do it your own way. I also have a 73 Z and am thinking of replacing the original engine like you because my son loves to drive it. If he misses a shift, then I may be screwed. If it were me with your car, I'd go back to stock. If you are gonna drive it and not show it, get another motor.

If it is a real '73 Z28 with only 65K on the clock I would probably keep her pretty stock for the value. Rebuild the engine, but do it with modern internals; ie lighter forged pistons, more modern cam grind ect.

Or you could pull the original engine out and put it in your garage and build another 350 for peace of mind.

Everybody will have their own preferences. Mine would be to rebuild the engine completely stock. The 73 Z28 L82 engine has good performance potential. It already has the large valves, forged pistons, and a great cam. Then when I had the engine back in top condition, I'd put it back in with headers, saving the original manifolds and exhaust for the future. The L82 with just headers and a free flowing exhaust will be a fun car, and the headers are easy to remove if you want 100% original again.

Welcome to the board, Try to preserve the original #'s on the deck of the block and keep all your receipts. Get a nice camera and document everything you do to the car. This can be a big selling point when selling a #'s matching car.

If the car is all original and complete, I would be very careful in changing things.

Build it completely blueprint for the car if you intend on selling it as numbers matching. Given the choice in buying a finished car, if I was looking for a restored numbers matching car I am paying for the same thing that rolled off the showroom floor, and would pay accordingly. If I wanted a clone or hot rod, for less money I can buy a completed base model 73 that someone has put some power in, at a reduced price since it's only a base model.