So, we’ve been talking about budget restomods quite a bit lately. And, we have covered a pretty good amount of stuff. But, what if your car came with a wimpy little V6? Or worse yet, a 4-banger?

Yeesh, we can’t have you driving around like that.

Of course, there are cars that do well with those setups because they are using some sort of forced induction. For example, look at the turbo Buicks from that decade so many of us are trying to forget.

But, forced induction options can cost an arm and a leg to buy, and then you have to set them up properly. Hardly a budget piece…

Besides, there’s no replacement for displacement.

There are plenty of ways for you to drop a bigger motor up front without breaking the bank. You just have to be prepared for the possibility to have issues down the road, because the engines won’t be shiny and new.

Obviously, I can only speak for my individual area, because it’s what I know. We have those junkyards in my part of America that allow you to go and pull out whatever you need, and pay a set fee. So, for a fee of under $200 I can go pull any engine out of any vehicle.

Photo Credit: Gary’s U Pull-It

What does this mean?

Well, if I happen across an old Suburban with a 454, guess whose truck is getting a new big block engine upgrade?

Now, there are some steps that you need to take to ensure that you’re not going to get burned here, because, these junkyards don’t warrantee their parts. It would behoove you (as we would say in the Marines) to do a little work before you rip that torque monster out of there.

You’ll want to make sure the engine turns over. If it doesn’t, keep looking because it isn’t worth trying to figure out what’s wrong with it. If it spins freely, there probably isn’t anything too major going on inside it (notice I said “probably” so don’t hold me accountable if it is torn up inside).

All junkyards have different things that they allow. So, this next option may not be a viable one. But, if you can, pull the oil pan off the bottom of the motor. Most, if not all, junkyards drain all fluids. This way, you can actually see inside the bottom end. Does everything look straight? Are all the pieces there? Are the connecting rods still connected? Does it look like any bearings have spun? Is there any metal in the pan?

Photo Credit: Pirate 4×4

This may be time consuming, but well worth the effort.

If you’ve got the extra money to spend, and the car is new enough, you can get a vehicle report pulled up. They’ve got the Car Fax app for your smart phone, but I think each report is $40 or so.

Now, obviously, your new engine is actually used. So, you’ll want to have it checked out by someone who knows more than what the various parts of an engine are. A pro machine shop will be able to check it for cracks, hone the cylinders and do the necessary work for you for about 400 smackeroos (again, my area).

You’ll also want to go with a good set of parts for your motor. Don’t go with cheap junk. Remember, this is the heart of your hot rod. If you can’t afford new pistons, rods, etc. You’ll at least want to change out your piston rings, bearings and oil pump – which is right around $150 in parts.

Photo Credit: eBay

If you do the rest of the work yourself, you’ve got a refreshed engine for right around $750. Of course, there are always other variables, and this isn’t meant to be an end all – be all list.

You may run into problems in the heads. It is probably a good idea to do at least the minimal amount of work in them as well. On the very minimum, your valve seals should be redone, and your valve seats should at least be checked out.

You also need to keep in mind that if you upgrade your engine, you’re going to have to make it fit. So, you will have to install new motor mounts and other hardware to make sure it all works together.

The point is that you can find a new engine for cheap, and refresh it so it is newer on the inside. And, chances are good that you’d be sitting pretty well at under $1,000 for a fresh setup using a mixture of new and used parts. The price for parts usually goes down for small blocks. So, if a small block is big enough, go for it.

Is this the best way to go? Not always. But, it is the budget way to go.