Looking at a '93 Chevy Beretta. Advice?

[96buickregal]

Hey all,
I've been considering looking into a new 'project car' for awhile now, as I'd like to have something to tinker with and learn on. My buddy's dad mentioned to me that he has a 93 Chevy Beretta sitting in his yard that he bought at an auction. He's a fairly good mechanic so I trust his evaluation.

He's offering it to me for $500.00, it has 160,000 miles and the engine bay looks as good as new. It needs a new battery and brakes. It is the GT version with the 3.1 MPFI engine in it (good for tinkering?). No body damage, no rust, 4spd automatic, one broken tail-light. Runs good otherwise, shifts firmly with no transmission issues. (I have fantasies of it going out and me replacing it with a getrag setup.) I'd be looking at repainting the car black, and the rims white if I got it.

As it stands, here she is:





Advice anyone? What would you do??

Thanks,
96b.

[bszopi]

I had my Beretta for 15 yrs, and it was a great car to learn a lot of things on. It wasn't my first, nor the car that I first tinkered with (that was my 73 Chevelle), but it was my first EFI car. $500 is a good price. I will mention though that it doesn't have a 4-spd tranny, only a 3-spd. 4-spds weren't available in Berettas until 1994.

[96buickregal]

As far as insurance goes, how would this compare to my buick?
It would most likely be insured under my dads name, who has a spotless driving record. Since they persecute the youngins (I'm 19.)

What can I expect to be doing with this car as far as maintenance goes?
MPG?

Is it quick?

[Rhedalert]

do it!

[asylummotorsports]

As far as insurance goes, how would this compare to my buick?
It would most likely be insured under my dads name, who has a spotless driving record. Since they persecute the youngins (I'm 19.)

What can I expect to be doing with this car as far as maintenance goes?
MPG

Is it quick?

The 3.1 is pretty tough. Head gaskets can be a problem, but if they are ok at this point, you're probably good, and the distributor O-ring can be a headache.

The 3t40 auto is bullet-proof, just keep an eye on the fluid condition.

Rust is an issue in the door jams/rocker area, and the rear spring area. And the gas door hinges rust off.

Quick is a relative term in this instance.

3.1 auto is a mid 16 second, 82 mph car.

If YOU think that is quick, then it's quick.

[pocket-rocket]

If I had $500 to spend, I would do it and line up a 3400 or 3500 and a 5 speed. But that is me. The car looks good, but since I see snow, that means you must be in the northern half of the country, so I would look under it to see if it has any cancer and take care of that as well.

[96buickregal]

Yep I'm in MN.

I wouldn't mind getting a 3500 with a five speed, but they're hard to find up here.

I have big plans for the car and many friends who are wanting to help..
If it rides good when I test drive it, its a sure thing. I'm buying it.

I will repaint it, I will have the subframe looked at verrryyyy closely, and if my mounts are rusty, I'll make new ones. If anything looks dirty I'll simply replace it.

Call me crazy, but a friend in okinawa on a military base is getting me a Greddy 80mm turbo (with all necessary accessories) for $200.00.
Yes, $2000.00+ turbo kits sell for that in Japan. Keep in mind, every car has a turbo over there.

I have already done some shopping and am looking into these first
1. rotors and brakes from a subaru wrx. (I was told these fit, this is correct?)
2. Ported heads for a larger tb.
3. Larger tb. ordered with performance chip.
4. New MAFS
5. New Intake.
6. New headers & ignition mods
7. New exhaust
8. tires & rims
9. Turbo
10. Paint

Call me optimistic, but I hope to see at least 240hp out of that car without the turbo. Am I asking too much??

Anyways, I could just be excited. But I need to learn somehow, and I feel that this car is perfect.

P.S. I could have just picked up a 3100 from a 1998 Malibu for $100.00 but it was auto only.... I can always try back and get it, what do you think??

-buick

*add performance cams, titanium connector rods, and forged pistons to my list.

[IsaacHayes]

240 without turbo if you go cam and 3400 or 3500 or some combo of the two with good exhaust.

3x00 will bolt up to manuals. No 3x00 was offered with a manual. It doesn't matter, same bolt pattern, use the flywheel from a 3.1/2.8 fwd.

[96buickregal]

Just picked up a rear tail light (the one im buying has a broken passenger side tail light) and the filler panel for $26.00
at you pull it..

the beretta I pulled it off of was in mint condition visibly, till I pulled that stuff off....

[pocket-rocket]

Just picked up a rear tail light (the one im buying has a broken passenger side tail light) and the filler panel for $26.00
at you pull it..

the beretta I pulled it off of was in mint condition visibly, till I pulled that stuff off....

I never have figured out why people send perfectly good cars to the JY... Stupidity reigns supreme in this day and age, I guess.

[96buickregal]

Yeah, I'm actually kind of mad at myself. I was reckless and broke a bunch of shit getting my tail light. In my defense, it was fuckin COLD!!!

[pocket-rocket]

Well yeah, that I can understand. Standing out in the cold with numb fingers trying to pull something off of a junkyard car sucks, this I know first hand, lol. But why? Why put a good looking car that has nothing wrong with it in the junkyard? If the engine or trans blew, I still can't see why. I mean, Craigslist the thing so someone else can fix it and enjoy a perfectly good car or something. In my 91's defense, it's been rear ended and it really isn't in that good of shape which is when I get time (which doesn't seem often anymore) I plan on parting it out.

[3400-95-Modified]

Yep I'm in MN.
1. rotors and brakes from a subaru wrx. (I was told these fit, this is correct?)
2. Ported heads for a larger tb.
3. Larger tb. ordered with performance chip.
4. New MAFS
5. New Intake.
6. New headers & ignition mods
7. New exhaust
8. tires & rims
9. Turbo
10. Paint
*add performance cams, titanium connector rods, and forged pistons to my list.

1. No... Not without heavy modification... Your actually better of trying to use N-Body knuckles and other stock parts to bolt on Vette Calipers.
2. Um, kind of vague there... Best bet is a full port polish job, but you don't NEED to do that to get a larger TB.
3. Careful with performance chips... OTC stuff really blows, your better off getting a Moates tuner.
4. That year doesn't have a MAF and even if it did, a newer one is wasted money.
5. That helps.
6. S&S headers only fit 3x00 models, and need quite a bit of modification to fit as well... No need to touch the ignition except for maybe doing iridium plugs, Taylor wires and moving the coils out from under the hot exhaust manifold for longevity reasons. (GM's DIS setup was pretty good)
7. Good
8. Good
9. lots o work due to nothing being specific to these cars.
10. Paint is ALWAYS good

* Why waste the money on the other engine internals like that? Cam is an ok investment... but just buy a 3400 and build off of that, the rods are already very strong and mate them up with some forged pistons and your good to go for quite a bit of power with a turbo... Also you'll see much higher gains on much less PSI if you use 3400 or 3500 top end parts over the 3.1 stuff.

[asylummotorsports]

I have to agree with Jon.

Blowing money on the 3.1 is just a waste.

It will never be a powerhouse and 240 N/A might be a dream.

http://car-parts.com

It can very helpful in finding low mileage engines locally.

A $500 3400 and a set of headers along with a good tune will likely net you more than you would ever get out of a 3.1 dinosaur.

But have fun with it.

[96buickregal]

Things change, like my plans for this car did last night during a nice long chat about whats possible
My current plans are now:
1. attain '04 Chevy Malibu 3.5L V6 Engine
2. attain Getrag manual tranny
3. get larger fuel injectors, 3.4l v6 fuel rails, and 3400 headers.
4. install parts
...
...
5. intake, exhaust
6. chip from wot store
7. turbo?