engine swap vs head work

[Robotnik123]

I just got an estimate for getting an engine swap done to my car.

The estimate for getting an engine swap, is similar to getting the head taken off the existing engine and having work done to it - as I've posted before, my engine has a problem with the head. I am looking at a cost of $2500-$3000 either way, it would seem.

What is better, sticking with the devil you know so to speak and having the headwork done to the old engine - 'Starting at $2500' is the estimate I have been given for this - it could be more though, but they won't know until they crack open the engine.

Or $2900 for a swap, including the cost of a used engine?

Both estimates include a waterpump and cambelt replacement by the way.

[Gly]

IMO i would do the engine swap yourself.

thats if you have the garage space and a weekend spare and someone to give you a hand.

[You See]

Could do it up in Auckland if we had the preparation and the space? ..would save carting the engine half way across the country and save you $$$$

[Robotnik123]

IMO i would do the engine swap yourself.

thats if you have the garage space and a weekend spare and someone to give you a hand.

I have no idea how to do an engine swap myself. But my parents live on the North Shore, so garage space in Aucks is not an issue.

I am up in AKL for my Mum's birthday from Sat, Aug 26 to Sun, Sept 3. If anyone was serious about helping me, I'd certainly be grateful. I could buy plenty of beer and such. Don't know how feasible that would be though.

Equipment like torque wrenches and a block and tackle is needed though isn't it?

[Gly]

we would have to hire a engine crane,

i have a 2 tonne chain block if needed, and a few tools i can borrow from my old man,


i dont have a torque wrench thou.



im keen to help out if others are,

[Kenneth]

I can get hold of a torque wrench, may not be much help on the 26th, but after that should be cool.

got something on the 26th... cant remember tho... lol

[mpau009]

Id be keen to come along and look / help

I can clean stuff real good, and undo / do up bolts reasonably okay , but it would be cool to sit in on. I could track down a torque wrench too if its gonna be a problem.

You need someone with the right knowledge of what bits to take off in what order and then youd be set, and if it doesnt work out then i think yousee volunteered to drive you back down to wellington

[mpau009]

Even better, that week is uni mid semester break, so id have a bunch more free time

[Robotnik123]

Id be keen to come along and look / help

I can clean stuff real good, and undo / do up bolts reasonably okay , but it would be cool to sit in on. I could track down a torque wrench too if its gonna be a problem.

You need someone with the right knowledge of what bits to take off in what order and then youd be set, and if it doesnt work out then i think yousee volunteered to drive you back down to wellington

I am not too fussed if it couldn't get on the road on the 26th weekend. I am there on the weekend afterward too and I can always borrow a car from my folks - they have two spare cars (I have a brother and sister on OEs and both have left their cars behind).

I'd be willing to let someone have at it. All that is needed is an engine swap. The cambelt, waterpump etc. I could have done later. If it doesn't work I can have it towed to a mechanic I guess.

By the way, if anyone is interested in looking at the detailed estimates I got from the two mechanics for the work, I could email them to you.

[Louis]

Hi,
Was in a similar position recently with another car,

Do the engine swap, and you have a spare angine and all the parts on it, (spare cams, pistons, crank, even the old heads to play with, porting gas flowing etc, pipes to polish (if you fancy etc)).

[BraindG]

aye, stick with swap... much easier.. and by the looks of it, plenty people to help!..

GO CVR4

[MJR]

It'll make a good CVR4 work meet

[jaimz]

Hey dudes,
Yeah, I'm super keen to lend a hand. Would be a great learning curve for all! I may even be able to score an engine hoist for you - I borrowed one when I did the swap in my GTX 4 years ago.
Haven't seen the dude since, but it's never too late to rebuild bridges...

[Robotnik123]

Is there anyone who has experience doing big jobs like this on VR-4s or similar cars that would be willing to lend a hand?

[jaimz]

Carsten (Gly), Bradc and Kenneth seem to know their way around the engine very well dude, and I swapped out the engine in my GTX, with the odd smattering of help.
Obviously that was a 4 cyl 1.8 turbo, rather than the big V6... but the idea's the same... surely!

[bradc]

Yeah I'll be keen of course as well, and I'd quite like to get hold of the old engine too to pull it apart and get it built up out of the car with forged parts

[Robotnik123]

OK, let's set stuff up. I am going to create an event.
Does anyone know what equipment we will be likely to need? And parts? I have a detailed estimate from Kenneth's mechanic that may help. Can some knowledgeable person give me a hand wioth this, please?

It will be in Mairangi Bay on the Nth Shore, by the way.

[Gly]

there isnt any special equipment we need that i know of,

basic tools, engine left, compressor + rachet would be nice ( i can get a compressor, but dont know about any air tools)

hows you clutch? maybe a good time to change it if its failing?
or do you have a triptronic?

you'll new new fuilds (oil + filter, gearbox oil or atf), new set of plugs might as well since its gonna be apart.


oh a brute stength


how do they know the heads cracked, and its just not the head gasket thats failed??

[Robotnik123]

Yes it is a tiptronic.

They have no idea what is wrong with the engine. A teekay test has just been done on it. This tells u if there is engine gases in the radiator coolant and there definitely is in this case.

I have been quoted $2500+ to take the heads off and diagnose it, that is the problem. Let me know if u want to see the detailed estimates on it.

there isnt any special equipment we need that i know of,

basic tools, engine left, compressor + rachet would be nice ( i can get a compressor, but dont know about any air tools)

hows you clutch? maybe a good time to change it if its failing?
or do you have a triptronic?

you'll new new fuilds (oil + filter, gearbox oil or atf), new set of plugs might as well since its gonna be apart.


oh a brute stength


how do they know the heads cracked, and its just not the head gasket thats failed??

[Gly]

make sure you get the mitsi diamond queen atf, 10L should do...
availible from and mitsi parts/servicing place