NEED GOOD HONEST ADVICE ON 1981 YENKO,,,, PLEASE

[DSYenko]

I need some good straight advice from some of you guys that I think can help me.(I have faith in you guys)I just bought a 1981 Yenko Turbo Z out in California. Complete original "real deal" car. The bad news (no drivetrain)motor/turbo/trans.Other than that the car is complete with the water injection set up still there ect. The question is Do I put in a correct year/date engine and look for a turbo or should I put in one of the old Yenko/COPO 427's since it will never be original again anyway?? I really would like your guys input on this.What will make this car hold it's value??I don't want to sell it, I want to save it, but at this point I feel im darned if I do and darned if I don't.
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Thanks in advance and do give me your input please. Duane /ubbthreads/images/icons/confused.gif

[chads454Ls6]

My advice would be to sell it,unless you want to put it back to stock,perfect,original,superb,sell it! this web site only wants to see perfection,except if you talk to those who do not agree,which would be the people that make up there own rules. just remember,the overrestored cars far outweigh the factory flawed cars.So when you bitch about vettefest,there would not be enough factory flawed cars to pay for the show.BTW just my opinion

[DSYenko]

Chad Back off buddy I have never even been to Vettefest,let along bitched about it.DID YOU MISS THE POINT OF MY QUESTION??? It will never be original.The original motor is gone,,,,, forever!!!!Is there not anyroom for second best around here??I think we all want to see perfection but we have to start somehwere,,this is where im starting .What do I do now with the "original" engine gone.Maybe I should just cut it up for scrap steel since it can never be "perfect again.Thanks for the advice!!!

[Charley Lillard]

DS...Congrats on your find. My vote would be to try to restore it back Stock. Chad seems to be a little Cranky tonight.

[DSYenko]

Thank You

[MotownMadman]

Duane, I agree with Charlie, Congrats and do your best to put it back to stock with a date coded block etc. If any of us found a 69 Yenko Nova missing the 427 we would put it as close to original as possible. Ten more years and your car will be a similar situation, take your time and find the correct parts and bring her back.
Motown. /ubbthreads/images/icons/cool.gif

[DSYenko]

Thanks If thats the case then I need a 350 block 14010207 dated June,July,August of 1980 6--/0,,7--/0,,8--0 as my car was built 9/80 Sept/1980.I would sure like 7th or the 8th month.Also head numbers 462624 with the approximate same casting dates.They were in 80-81 full size vehicles/some light trucks.Please email if anyone has the parts I need.I will spend fair money and can travel or have shipped to my business by freight.Help me if im wrong on the block/head codes but I think im correct.1981 Z28 Camaro Thanks again

[Fhakya]

In the Meantime though...If you've got a big block laying around by all means put it in there and have fun w/ it. That was an interesting idea too! Build it to 67 Yenko specs et al. Just don't blow up the orig rear..heh

[JoeC]

I vote for restoring it to original condition. What color is it? Is it Stage I or Stage II?
Sounds like a fun project.

[92646]

DS, Go look for a complete 81 Z/28 with the right date code. In 1981 these cars were everywhere out here in California and I have seen them for sale now for less than $1,500 many times. But do your best to put it back to original now while the parts cars are cheap and still available. But if not how about a stage IV with a twin turbo 427 small block.

[John]

Congradulations on your find...I also agree with Charley...and you may want to post the list of parts you are looking for in the "wanted" section ...you may find someone that has those parts! Good Luck, /ubbthreads/images/icons/smile.gif

[Belair62]

Also,I'm sure there are a few on this site who could send you a lot of info and pics to help as you go along..

[Seattle Sam]

Sept 80 build date! I wonder if there are any 1981 Turbo-Yenkos with earlier build dates - or is yours the first one built?
-Sam

[bkhpah]

I think most 81 z'sold in CA were 305 versions. I know all 4 speed cars state side were. If only cars with original engines were restored we would have few examples. Think many t-bolts or Hemi SS Dodges would survive. Put a motor in it and do the job right. Turbo Z's are few and far between...BKH

[Stefano]

Duane,
Congrats on your find. Can you provide some more info, such as options and Color. Did you find /look for the Build sheet behind the back seat?

You have a true Super Car and the cost to restore it to stock or modified(427) would be close to the same either way. You have a unique peice of Yenko history which was the result of many years of Turbo/suspension develpoement by Don Yenko & Yenko Chevrolet and Yenko Sports Cars.

What you do with it depends on what you want out of the car. If you are a Yenko & Super Car fan then I would say that stock is the way to go.

If you do rebuild an engine I would install Forged Pistons for durability and saftey as the engines Detonate very easily under maxim boost and WOT. This way you can run it against some of the other Super Cars at the reunion without worry of destroying the stock pistons. /ubbthreads/images/icons/grin.gif

[DSYenko]

Since it would cost roughly the same to put it back with a non original 350/turbo or 427 what way do you think the car would more desireable or valuable?? I am open to any and all opinions and am in no hurry to do anything with the car either way.On one hand I would love to put a 427 in it but on the other hand hate to ruin what it once was.

[MotownMadman]

Duane, you could build any 81 Z into a 427 car, the Yenko will go up in value considerably every year if it is put back to correct. I like the idea someone else had here about finding a date correct 81Z for the drivetrain, you should be able to find one less than $2000. Bring her back!
Motown /ubbthreads/images/icons/cool.gif

[Stefano]

Duane,
You say the car is not for sale and that you prefer the 427. If those statements are true then do it the way you want and don't worry about the next guy. An original style Drive train can always be reinstalled later.

It would however be more desirable as well as valuable to a collector in stock as Delivered by Yenko Trim, what ever that $$ amount might be , IMO.

[mc25t190]

fun or investment, or both, fun 427, investment original, both original, altered cars imo lose ther originality. it all depends on whatyu want to do with the car keep it or sell it.

[moparts]

Go with a small block 427 with the turbo then at least the car will perform like it should.

[55chevy]

I agree. You can make it look stock, but since originally is gone anyway, who says it has to run stock? /ubbthreads/images/icons/smile.gif Use the correct parts and build them to the max.