Optimism - New Project Car, ID this engine - and anyone else buy parts before the car?

Nothing says "optimism" quite like buying parts for a project car you don't yet own.

So I'm in the process of buying said sweet project car, and have worked out a price but haven't seen the car. I found one hell of a deal on the parts I needed. More details on the car next weekend after I look at it, but here's the part I bought:

I thought I'd make it a little fun .. can anyone ID what engine this is and / or what make and model(s) it goes to?

Has anybody else ever bought parts for a car they hadn't bought yet?

2UZFE. What's it going in? Damifino. It would look sweet in the Jensenator, though.

Damn close. It's a 3uzfe.

It came out of an SC430 but it's going into a GS430. I wouldn't usually pick that for a project car but once I sourced this engine the price was right!!

dculberson wrote: Has anybody else ever bought parts for a car they hadn't bought yet?

Yup!

wheels777 wrote:

dculberson wrote: Has anybody else ever bought parts for a car they hadn't bought yet?

Yup!

You mean there are folks here who haven't? Hell I had 2 donor cars in the driveway before I ever saw the wartburg in person :)

I have a complete 280Z engine, 240Z carbs, along with 20% of a 240z (minus body) scattered throughout my crawl space, basement, garage, and garage attic.

I have an extra set of Porsche wheels and tires, just in case I find someone trying to sell a Porsche that doesn't have wheels and tires on it.

I have a zetec on the stand that was meant for a Locost I never even started building; I only collected parts.

I have a 1962 Jaguar instrument panel. It (or its switches) are going in something someday.

ive bought parts for cars i dnt own plenty of times. the problem is, i often end up not buying the car they go to.

I have plenty... Or more specifically, I have parts for unfinished projects that aren't here. Like I have a SNEEC, PMS, built Powerglide, nearly complete 1k hp fuel system, and other crap for a V8 Ranger project I am LIGHT years away from finishing.

I do it with all sorts of stuff, I bought a 880rd case of 7.62x54r before I got my Mosin.

Is this the same GS430 you were mentioning at Summit Point? If you've already got a new motor for it, you know you won't be going home without that car next weekend, right?

Klayfish wrote: Is this the same GS430 you were mentioning at Summit Point? If you've already got a new motor for it, you know you won't be going home without that car next weekend, right?

Yep, the seller came down in price since it's been sitting. Tough sell on a broken car where the engine costs $3600 (!!) from a junk yard. Fortunately I did not pay $3600 for the engine.

Yes, if the car is as represented I will be coming home with the car. But I'm fully prepared to walk if it's rough. This engine is worth enough in parts to make good money on it selling it a bit at a time.

But my hope is to have a 14.3 second 1/4 mile daily drive for the first time in my life. I think I'm old enough now to not get dozens of speeding tickets. We'll see!!

If the GS 400 is junk, I know of a particular 78 Celica that would benifit from a 3UZFE swap.

windsordeluxe wrote: If the GS 400 is junk, I know of a particular 78 Celica that would benifit from a 3UZFE swap.

No doubt, though coming up with all the supporting stuff (miles of wiring and hundreds of connectors) without a donor car would be challenging!