Got my 1986 300zx non-turbo just over a month ago, with 188,000 miles on the engine. Great body is why I got the car, expecting the engine to go sooner or later (hoping later..) and then I'd do an engine swap. Well, looks like I didn't get to wait for later. Has been having overheating issues, and now it looks like it's drinking about a cup of coolant for 70 miles of driving, and I'm experiencing odd power loss above 2500rpms... I'm pretty sure my head gasket is going.

So, do I get an engine now, or replace the head gasket? If it wasn't a matter of money, I'd just do the engine now, thinking either VG30DET from a Z31, or a VG30DE or VG30DETT from a Z32. I've started looking around, and it seems a VG30DE from a Z32 with 220hp can be had with ECU and wiring harness shipped for about $1200 total, VG30DETT adds about $400 as far as I can tell.

So what I need to know, are these good prices for engines? Is there a good place to find one for less? And how much would it then cost to drop it in and get it connected by a mechanic? $500? $1000? more? And for comparison, how much should it cost to replace my head gasket and keep the 188k mile engine I have? Any advice on the subject would be greatly appreciated.