DIY 3.2 engine rebuild cost (parts and machining)

[aigel]

Parts prices have gone up quite a bit. I am curious, how much was your 3.2 rebuild (parts and machining)? I am looking for a number that reflects an overhaul (reusing in spec old parts) and reusing P/C.

Cheers, George

[efhughes3]

I'm going off the top of my head, but I think mine is close to $8K if I use my P's and C's, but that is ARP bolts and studs, ground cams, Aasco springs/Ti retainers, Extrude hone, R&R rods and rockers, center drilled crank, normal machining and a fair amount of machine shop time checking and cleaning everything.

At this point, I may bite the bullet and go with new P's and C's, and be done with it. I may also have the heads machined for twin plug, and put in the Andial splitter setup next year when I move to California.

[YTNUKLR]

George, on a 3.0/3.2 I am typically at about $4.5k in parts/machining, generally speaking. Not including my time.

clean/measure case
clean, mag/polish crank
inspect /service (if necessary) oil pump
ultrasonically clean oil cooler
resurface flywheel
rebuild rods
inspect, measure, deglaze, possibly surface tops of P/C (when re-using P/C)
rebuild heads, full valve job
R&R Cam towers, pull spray bars etc.
reground cams
refurbished rocker arms
inspect tensioners, replace if necessary
rebuild distributor
service seals/gaskets and inspect CIS/Motronic units
clean all valve covers, chain boxes, etc., thoroughly

new bearings
new sprockets as necessary
complete new gasket kits, all viton
plating, powdercoating, cleaning all hardware, etc.
Powdercoat fan/housing
new piston rings (Goetze OEM)
new oil return tubes
ARP rod bolts mandatory on 3.2's, typically OEM for 3.0L unless ARP is specified
new OEM steel head studs throughout, or ARP/Supertec/etc. racing head studs if specified
new chains and chain ramps

Possibly missed something on these lists, but I find $4-5k is a fairly common range for just parts/machining on a 3.0/3.2 engine rebuild using mainly standard/in-specification re-used components that do not need extensive machine work (case, crank, oil pump, heads etc.).

Hope this helps you,
Scott

[88-diamondblue]

Scott has it right on. My 3.2 (now 3.4)rebuild with P&C's, clutch and custom chip was $7500 and the items above were about $3500 of that cost. Really depends on how much you do yourself. I also put in new performance valve springs from camgrinder when I had him do the cams and rockers. I replaced the lower head studs with steel as the uppers are steel. Broken head studs were the reason for my rebuild. Just a few "while I was in there" upgrades.

[Jeff Alton]

I went overboard on my 3.4, way overboard. I am into it for over 13.5K in parts and machine work. Luckily I do all the assmebly myself..... (That includes ECU and all sensors, wiring, injectors and blah blah blah)

Mind you, I sold off what I replaced with aftermarket parts and got some (some) money back......


Cheers

[YTNUKLR]

Jeff, yours doesn't count! You ended up doing a lot of stuff above and beyond a stock rebuild. It's amazing how quick it adds up. BTW, yours sounds like a sweet engine.

I want to do a 3.6 or 3.8 with Jenveys one day (not necessarily for my car), with a new GT3 crank and all the go-fast parts. (Anybody out there want to do such a project?)

[Henry Schmidt]

Originally Posted by YTNUKLR

Edit.............
I want to do a 3.6 or 3.8 with Jenveys one day (not necessarily for my car), with a new GT3 crank and all the go-fast parts. (Anybody out there want to do such a project?)

I would do that project only instead of a GT3 crank mine would have a 66mm crank. 66 x 100 (3.1)or 102 (3.2). 9000+RPM that sounds like a 2.0.
962 crank (66mm)
GT3 Pankl Titanium rods
Del West Titanium valves
Slide valve
Motec
Supertec twin plug
Power pulley
Supertec valve springs
Ty retainers
Price tag: 35K+ All parts in stock, any takers?

[Jeff Alton]

Originally Posted by YTNUKLR

Jeff, yours doesn't count! You ended up doing a lot of stuff above and beyond a stock rebuild. It's amazing how quick it adds up. BTW, yours sounds like a sweet engine.

I want to do a 3.6 or 3.8 with Jenveys one day (not necessarily for my car), with a new GT3 crank and all the go-fast parts. (Anybody out there want to do such a project?)

I do!

Once this motor is tuned I am buying a long block 3.2 or 3.6 and building something a little bigger. ITB's agian and the same ECU. 3.8 would be fun or maybe a shorter living 3.7 with a 3.2 crank and nickies.......

Back on topic........ I think the estimates you are seeing here are bang on for $$$ to do the job yourself.

cheers

[Rot 911]

I did mine in 2004 and it cost around $6K. I did add SSI's which was part of the rebuild cost.

[jpnovak]

I think we all know Henry's wish list. I am sure that would suffice for me (just not my checkbood) as well.

[Jay Auskin]

I rebuilt my top-end on my 3.2L, and 2nd gear on my 915, plus the 1-2 slider/hub parts. Everything, including machining was $3K. Pelican user cgarr did all my head work, and did a fantastic job. I re-ground cams, rebushed rockers, new exhaust valves....basically everything you "should" do.

I'm at home today cleaning up after the storms here in Chicago, but PM me your e-mail, and I'll send you my spreadsheet on Monday which has every cost itemized in it.

[aigel]

Thanks for all your input, guys. It turns out that there is nothing to do on my 993. That was actually the plan, but now I itch for some mechanical work. Recently some accordion bumper cars have shown up (SC/Carrera) that needed engine work. I was wondering if I could fix them, drive them for a while and sell them at a small profit. Most of the cars were not dirt cheap (8k and up) and from what I read here, it would have been foolish to buy them. Only if they'd have a very limited problem like valve guides, it seems, can one get away under 3k in machine work and parts. For such a project I would not go full out but certainly replace everything that is out of spec.

Thanks again. I'll keep you posted, should I end up with a project after all.

George