215 buick aluminum engine

Hi New here.

Iv been looking at different conversions to buy. Id like to build one but I have to be realistic.

I found this 76 930 with a 215 and was wondering how much it was worth.

Hmm. I cant seem to upload a pic. Clicked box Q and browse. Found the pic I wanted and clicked on it which brought up 3 links. I clicked upload but nothing happened.

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I cant see more than 10k

The car looks like it is mostly done up right from the pictures. What would scare me as a buyer is the somewhat rare engine in it. Not impossible to find the big stuff for it, but increasingly difficult. I think is if the engine would go south on you, a more modern engine would be an easy swap as the tough parts are done, cooling system, wiring and so on. Different engine type would mean new headers, and the headers / exhaust looks like it is done very well.

If it were me, I would be a buyer at around $10k and would start looking for a spare engine long block immediately just for piece of mind type thing.

If you are considering a 215 buick in a 944, RUN FOREST RUN!

Disclaimer: This message is not a significant source of your daily technical allowance. Should be considered low in trans fat but high in adrenaline, which as been know to put a everlasting smile on your face.

Oh yeah If I were closer and someone from this board was not intrested, I would try to buy the car in the price range we are talking, if it in fact is a all steel body.

rebar wrote:Found the pic I wanted and clicked on it which brought up 3 links. I clicked upload but nothing happened.

rebar,

If you want to upload a pic, copy the code from the middle link into your post.

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For linking to off-site pics, use the link button, copy and paste the url into the blanks in the drop-down box, then cut & paste the link in your post to place pics where you want them. Also, to upload a pic, it must be saved on your computer somewhere first.

As far as the 930 / 215 goes...
A local track-prepped, 8-point cage, 500 HP 350 V8, wide-bodied, Big Reds, Tilton dual brake setup, steel body and flares, on and on....911 went for ~13K roughly 5 years ago.

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Nice looking car, but-
No Brrrrckk 215 though.
Fogittt 'bouttt et!

FYI, the Rover aluminum V8 is a drop in replacement for the Buick 215. They can be purchased with modern FI and 4.0+ liters.

Good to know on the Rover engine Gene.

If your going to use a Rover motor you need to try and get as late a model as possible. They had casting defects in the aluminum in the early years, up until the mid 90s iirc. Rovers are also know for electrical gremlins, worse than Porsche.

FYI the GM 215 ci motor was made in 3 versions, the Buick, Olds and Pontiac.
The Buick Special had a version with combustion chambers in the pistons, the upper and lower faces of the heads are not paralell and valve cover tops are horizontal due to this.
The Olds F85 version has an extra head bolt and paralell faces thus the valve covers sit on an angle.
The Olds version has combustion chambers in the heads.
Not sure about which version was in the Pontiac Tempest but it differed by being Turbocharged.

This engine had rope seals and I believe not popular as it tended to leak around its cast in cylinder liners. British Leyland purchased the design from GM and updated the oils seals and later changed the capacity from 3.5 liter to 4. The engine appeared in various models, Rover 3500, Rover SD1 and of course the Range Rover. EFI was added later. MG also built 2600 MGB GT's with a detuned Rover V8 fitted with twin SU carbs.

The Buick engine also formed the basis of the Australian Repco twin overhead cam Formula One engine that powered Jack Brabham to the World Championship.

I converted a MGB roadster to V8 using an Olds F85 motor, you can see pictures of the engine re-assembly here:

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There is a guy on ren**** that has a v8 swapper for sale, but I think its a LSx or LTx. iirc, its ok price, but I don't like 911's, too much rear weight.

It was the Olds not the Pontiac that had a turbo option...There is also a great deal of info out there on how to put together a 5.0 liter engine, but with L33's selling for less than $1,500 why bother?

Thanks everyone. The 215 in the 911 I posted a link to is lighter then the original motor.

Unfortunately the owner/builder wont come down to 10K so I'm still looking.

For the attention of 968genie:

Change Tempest to Jetfire

I looked into this a long time ago when I built my v6 924. (early 80's) At that time I couldn't find any Buick/Olds aluminum v8's anywhere. The Rover ones were available but were way too expensive. (quoted at that time about $4000)

These were light. About 320# if I remember correctly. There are a few 924/944's in the UK with Rover engines in them.

but I don't like 911's, too much rear weight.

You know, I thought the same, until I got into a 996... The steering input/feedback is just amazing. Quick, tights, sharp! And the braking... Oh the braking feels so balanced since most of the weight is in the rear, so under braking, the weight transfer is shifted towards the center of the car, thus you utilize the rear brakes more efficiently...

The 996 is an amazing platform... I wouldn't knock it unless you've tried it. And with a v8, oh goodness. I can't imagine how much fun THAT would be.

i have two 215 olds aluminum v8s in the corner of my shed and lots of parts for them.there is a outfit in mich that sells all kinds of parts for them.he sells kits to put them in mgbs the buick heads interchange to the olds block.you can get performance cams for them.elderbrock makes an intake for them.you can even stroke them .i got my motors from a freind who has one in a tr7.it is a mean little car .super fast.ive even seen one with a blower from a pontiac gran prix grafted to it in a mg.i have a catalog for the outfit in mich. that sells the mg kits and parts for the 215s.dont know what im gonna do with them.but by the way my freinds tr7 runs with one id be half tempted to put on in a 944

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I purchased parts from the guy in MI mentioned above. This 215 had a perf cam, intake, 390 Holley, etc. Very quick and reliable. I really miss this car!

Nice 914! Iv never seen one with the 215. Perfect combo..

The stock 911 has a bit of oversteer. Just perfect. The owner of the 215ci 930 said he felt more weight in the rear would prevent wheel spin created with the lighter engine. I bet his car may have understeer or push. not good.

While Im all for alternative and unique stuff, This engine is not worth the work.

The Rover engine would be cool.

15 years ago (when I did the 215 914 swap) this was a good alternative to the (at the time) expensive Rover engine.

oh, sorry I thought we were talking about a current project.

Wow, 15 years ago would be very unique at that time and totally cool.

I remember other people using that engine also