Swap or Rebuild??

The Donkey · 11-28-2006, 03:17 PM

I know that I am not the only person debating this question. Do you do a swap with a motor if you can find a good 3.0 or 3.2 with good compression and leakdown figures and history of a rebuild with documentation or do you go for the full 10k+ top and bottom end rebuild? This is on a 78 SC and everything else on the car is perfect. It just needs a good motor. I am not that concerned with maxing out the power or anything like that. I just want a good solid motor that will give me the aircooled sound for weekend drives and the occasional DE's. Price is a factor here. So, is residual value if I decide to sell it and move up to something else. What is the best option here? My current 3.0 needs some work on the #6 cylinder and the timing chain. It is currently being diagnosed by my Porsche guy as I type. It may be nothing. This work would most likely be done by an independent mechanic and not me.

What do you do? Do I sell the core and buy a used or rebuilt motor or go the complete rebuild? In my opinion, the rebuild doesn't seem to get you too much in the way of residual value in the sales price and the motor swap doesn't seem to hurt too much.

Obviously, the downside is that you get a bad used motor even after the leakdown and compression are OK. Flipside, you could get a rebuild that doesn't hold up as we have all seen on this board and you are out 10k+.

Any thoughts on this? I used the search function but didn't find much or any debate on this.

That said, there may be a 3.0 running (but possibly unhealthy core) for sale and a need for a rebuilt or low mileage 3.0 or 3.2.

Scott R · Scott R's Garage

This was me about a month ago, I had to make the same decision, and in the end I went rebuild. The main reason being that I really intend to keep the car for a long time. As you said, a rebuild does not do enough to the sale price to offset the cost.

You may also want to consider that you may not need to rebuild everything. In my case I do, my mains were gone, and my pistons and cylinders were shot, couple that with bad cams. I'm still only in the 6K range however. If you use the advice in Wayne's book, and the resources from these forums like, Camgrinder and the folks in the for sale section it can be done for less.

The Donkey · 11-28-2006, 03:57 PM

I have Wayne's book. I just bought it and have read most of it, given my current state of affairs. The only problem is that I won't be doing it myself. My wife would kill me and I just can't take that kind of time away from my kids (they are still young and girls, so they are quite sensitive). I really don't trust myself to do this anyway.

When I was talking to my guy today he was throwing out 15k to 25k figures. I know that Wayne has it in the 8k+ range for a complete rebuild before labor. So, maybe we are in the 10k to 12k range.

The rebuild is much easier for me but much more expensive. I find a good rebuilder and say "here you go". the swap I have to sell off the core and then find a good used engine and deal with the transfer, shipping, install, etc.

How are you at 6k to rebuild everything? That isn't so bad, in relative terms.

Scott R · Scott R's Garage

Well, I was able to source new Mahle P&C's from Ebay for around $1500, my CAMS were repairable by Camgrinder, and I have scrounged everything else, and traded for some machine work.

s5uewf · s5uewf's Garage

Call Supertec - less than the money you are discussing, with a warranty, end to end rebuild, fully balanced, etc.

The Donkey · 11-28-2006, 04:42 PM

Less than which dollars? The 8k or the 6k. Is there a Supertec website? I have heard that name. Is that Henry?

Scott R · Scott R's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by The Donkey
Less than which dollars? The 8k or the 6k. Is there a Supertec website? I have heard that name. Is that Henry?

Definitely call him, he was a great help in my cylinder selection, very nice guy on the phone, very helpful.

The Donkey · 11-28-2006, 04:54 PM

I am looking at the site right now. I will see what he has and maybe give him a call. I do have the concern though that I will send an engine across the country and we won't know what is wrong with it until it gets there and then I am held captive to shipping charges, upcharges, etc.

Disclaimer: This has nothing to do with Supertec because I don't even know really who they are but this applies in my mind to anyone out of state that I have to send an engine to.

Maybe I could have my mechanic talk to him after I do...