Need help discerning repair costs for an 5.0L V8 '86 Hatchback.

Clarify please. Do you mean you need converters or you want them replaced? You said you have an h-pipe....is it an off road h with no cats? Do you live in an emissions state? What is wrong with the AC? What is wrong with the brakes?

I know this is just a rough ball park bull***** figure, but what you've given is pretty non-specific.

If you have a mechanic do all the work instead of any of it yourself, expect to need around $2000.00, give or take.

That ultra rough figure is assuming new rotors and pads up front, and new shoes for the rear plus labor, parts and labor for replacing the catalytics converters, more if you do an entire H-pipe (with cats) assembly, and transmission work can vary in price so much shop to shop its ridiculous.

Sounds about right for a ballpark number.

Being in a non-emissions state, you don't have to fix the smog stuff or replace cats. You can replace the h-pipe/cats with an "off road" X-pipe, which can be had for under $200. UPR sells one for $160. Fitment isn't perfect, but it works just fine....I have one. Then just remove the smog pump and remove the cross over pipe on the back of the heads and plug the holes with two bolts.

So that cures the exhaust problem.

Tranny, that is a sticky one depending on what you want to do. If it drives and shifts fine, I would just leave it until it dies...personally. Having one repaired can cost you a nice chunk, where as you can get decent remans for under $700. Promotion sells a WC T5 for $645. Again, I have one and it is holding up fine for my daily driver....I mean I literally drive mine to work every day. I also drive it to the track and dog the ever living piss out of it.

AC really needs to be diagnosed. It can be something as simple as a small leak or something as expensive as a leaking evap core that caused moisture to get into the system causing damage to the compressor, accumulator....requiring it all to be replaced. You should have someone fill it up with freon and dye to see if it blows cold. If it does, then start searching for leaks.

Brakes are easy. Go get some new pads and rotors from your local parts store and slap them on. You can obviously do many different upgrades at this point, but if you just want to fix it, then the parts can be had for around $100.

So it all depends on if you do the work or if you have someone else do it. It also depends on the condition of the transmission and the AC system. If you intend on just having a shop repair it, make sure you get a hell of a deal on the car. You figure if you end up spending $3000 in repairs on top of a $8000 price tag, then you would overspend on the car. if it is a $3000 car and $2000 worth of repairs and you end up with a nice, clean, solid 5.0...then it might be worth it.

You really need to get some more info regarding the problems so you can come to a solid decision.

post pics of the car you are buying and the actual email you received from the seller. that would help too.

For $3K stay away from that car, there are many more issues with that car aside from the ones you mentioned. You will need another body kit, hood and that interior doesn't look that great either. Then paint on top of that. If you have $4500 to spend look at Craiglist and eBay, you can usually find nice deals there, as well as the classifieds here and over at the corral. Defintely stay far away man, that car looks like it has been all Mickey Moused as far as paint and that bofy kit go.

I will have to agree with SuperStang. The verbage you are using and the questions that you are asking, indicate to me that you are not knowledgable enough to tackle this project on your own. It will end up costing you a LOT more than what you've indicated that you are able to spend.

You need to find a car that is basically stock and in good working order.

That aside, the asking price for that car is between $500 and $1000 too high (regardless of what the seller thinks he's got into it). The hardware is there but it's all a Hack Job and looks like it was tossed together by some high school auto-shop kid that thinks he knows cars.

Doing all the work by yourself... CORRECTLY... and putting the car in good, running order will cost you $1000 easy. Probably more... and that's just for the normal items that include, safety, drivability, and tune-up.

I wouldn't touch that car with the longest stick I could find.

jtfairlane said:

I wouldn't touch that car with the longest stick I could find.

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Now now... For $2K, that car would be a steal for any gear head. I'd take something like that and fix it up for one of my kids.

No problem man, if you need any other help, just send us some pics and specs. I was looking at eBay earlier and saw quite a few decent deals! Hopefully you can find the same.

Where are you located man? Maybe someone on here could help you search for one.