Current cost / availability of 3.6 engines?

[jeffbottman]

Just daydreaming about a 3.6 transplant into my '86 3.2. Does anyone have an idea of typical cost for these engines; also how to even find one? I can imagine a long search is required these days.

-Jeff

[silverc4s]

Miles and condition are a big factor in cost, but I will throw out a number of $8 to $12K as a range.
If you really want one you should get on the waiting list at Partsheaven & the LA Dismantlers, maybe a few others to get first look as cars show up.
Lot of other costs involved after you have the engine, too.

Just an opinion, I admit that I have not witnessed a transaction recently.

[dpizi]

I was poking around DC Automotive site early this morning (insomnia) and they have 2 listed with 80K for $9000. Both are 95's.
dC AutomotiveOver 140,000 square feet of new and used Porsche parts

[Josh D]

I've always found it kind of funny when somone asks how to get more power from a 3.0 or 3.2 and somone always recommends just "dropping in a 3.6" like there is a 3.6 tree growing somewhere that you can just pick one from!

[930cabman]

It has been the easiest, most reliable and all around best way to gain power, simply increase the volume.

There is probably one in my future, transplant into a 1975 911s when the time and $ allow. I just have not found the low price tree.

My bet would be any "older" 3.6 will require an expensive major tune up, including a valve grind. I would add $5k to any used running engine

[Tippy]

I've always found it kind of funny when somone asks how to get more power from a 3.0 or 3.2 and somone always recommends just "dropping in a 3.6" like there is a 3.6 tree growing somewhere that you can just pick one from!

LOL, true.

[jamesjedi]

I paid $5500 for my long block. I have seen two very low mileage engines sell for $5000, they were close to complete. Patience is a factor, just as much as luck will be.

There is a big cost in getting it adapted to your car.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by jeffbottman

also how to even find one? I can imagine a long search is required these days.

Call this guy. He is a brain vs a thirsty money maker and will swap out your old engine for a 3.2 and you keep the original engine.

Prices are palatable.

InstantG's Home Page

[Canada Kev]

Originally Posted by 930cabman

My bet would be any "older" 3.6 will require an expensive major tune up, including a valve grind. I would add $5k to any used running engine

I think by now they're pretty much ALL older and will likely will require some attention now or soon, so perhaps plan for it. Just ask Jeremy... Well here she is -

[Tom '74 911]

I paid quite a bit of $$ for a 3.6L that was supposedly rebuilt & upgraded for my '74 911 a few years ago. I am now just starting the process of rebuilding it and finding that many of the upgrades that sold me on the motor were not performed. This is, unfortunately, VERY typical. If you don't spend $$ on an engine that's been gone through, you will likely end up doing it yourself at some point in the future - read through the MANY examples on Pelican! Myself included...

I would figure $15-$20K+ to do a full conversion. This is a REAL number. Can you do it for less? Yes. If you do spend less, will you end up spending that much picking up the pieces after a few years anyway? Very likely.

The 3.6L conversion into an earlier chassis has been done a million times. It's not hard, but there are a few things that need to be done, parts to be bought etc... And then what about your suspension? Brakes? Oil cooling? Transmission? etc..... It adds up.

[Craig T]

Originally Posted by Tom '74 911

I paid quite a bit of $$ for a 3.6L that was supposedly rebuilt & upgraded for my '74 911 a few years ago. I am now just starting the process of rebuilding it and finding that many of the upgrades that sold me on the motor were not performed. This is, unfortunately, VERY typical.

Yes, typical. Unfortunately, this tale of wow is all too common.

A 3.6 transplant was my plan when I built my hotrod. I thought it was just too ironic that every motor being sold by the "usual suspects" was a "40,000" mile motor with great compression...but the car the motor came out of was never available to confirm the odometer.

When you factor the cost of a potential rebuilt of a 3.6, it's just too big a risk for me. Plus, $15K-$20K to plug-in a 3.6 is VERY conservative. I priced this out to every detail (and Jeff at Aase Motors is a 20 year good friend). Done right, to be a reliable well running package, it was over $20K no matter how you look at. If you refresh the top end first, you're looking closer to $30K.

I decided to take the existing 3.2 and do a bottom to top rebuild with 98mm heads (3.4L) and 98mm 10:3.1 pistons, with a GE60 cam and JB twin plug. This way, I knew I was starting with a BRAND NEW motor, and the cost was comparable to the drop in 3.6. MUCH less if you consider the 3.6 might be junk and require a rebuild.

I'm putting 278 hp to the wheels (310 FWHP) on pump gas and Magnaflow muffler, with 238 ftbs TQ. That's better than a 3.6 in HP, and close in torque. With an open merge I'm putting out 284 hp to the wheels. Plus, I kept the old-school look.

Many guys have had good luck with 3.6L drop-ins (e.g. Jack Olsen, John Esposito), but I would certainly run a compression check, leak-down, and have all the injectors, valves, etc, inspected before shelling out $9K for a used 3.6.

[jeffbottman]

Craig, if you don't mind, could you share the cost of your engine build with us? So far in this thread, yours sounds spot-on for the best way to go, as far as I'm concerned. Amazing power output. Would an engine in that state of tune also have a good lifetime (treating it well, no abuse)?

Originally Posted by Craig T

Yes, typical. Unfortunately, this tale of wow is all too common.

A 3.6 transplant was my plan when I built my hotrod. I thought it was just too ironic that every motor being sold by the "usual suspects" was a "40,000" mile motor with great compression...but the car the motor came out of was never available to confirm the odometer.

When you factor the cost of a potential rebuilt of a 3.6, it's just too big a risk for me. Plus, $15K-$20K to plug-in a 3.6 is VERY conservative. I priced this out to every detail (and Jeff at Aase Motors is a 20 year good friend). Done right, to be a reliable well running package, it was over $20K no matter how you look at. If you refresh the top end first, you're looking closer to $30K.

I decided to take the existing 3.2 and do a bottom to top rebuild with 98mm heads (3.4L) and 98mm 10:3.1 pistons, with a GE60 cam and JB twin plug. This way, I knew I was starting with a BRAND NEW motor, and the cost was comparable to the drop in 3.6. MUCH less if you consider the 3.6 might be junk and require a rebuild.

I'm putting 278 hp to the wheels (310 FWHP) on pump gas and Magnaflow muffler, with 238 ftbs TQ. That's better than a 3.6 in HP, and close in torque. With an open merge I'm putting out 284 hp to the wheels. Plus, I kept the old-school look.

Many guys have had good luck with 3.6L drop-ins (e.g. Jack Olsen, John Esposito), but I would certainly run a compression check, leak-down, and have all the injectors, valves, etc, inspected before shelling out $9K for a used 3.6.

[HawgRyder]

Beware the 2 tool "rebuild".
A can of degreaser...and a power washer....third tool optional (can of engine paint).
Bob

[Craig T]

Originally Posted by jeffbottman

Craig, if you don't mind, could you share the cost of your engine build with us? So far in this thread, yours sounds spot-on for the best way to go, as far as I'm concerned. Amazing power output.

Would an engine in that state of tune also have a good lifetime (treating it well, no abuse)?

Huh? "No abuse"? Why would you spend the money to build a juiced up motor if you didn't intend to abuse it? That's the fun of having a hot rod motor in a 911.

Keep in mind, with the PMO's there's no ECU or other parts to swap. This motor just plugs in and plays.

[jeffbottman]

Craig, your engine is beyond cool.

[m110]

Originally Posted by Craig T

Many guys have had good luck with 3.6L drop-ins (e.g. Jack Olsen, John Esposito), but I would certainly run a compression check, leak-down, and have all the injectors, valves, etc, inspected before shelling out $9K for a used 3.6.

I believe Jack posted that his ended up needing a rebuild.

I have thought about it and value a new, hot rod motor on my 3.2 over a used 3.6 and the conversion cost.

[JeremyD]

If you are real lucky - you can get a 3.6 and end up rebuilding it.

[rbogh901]

Originally Posted by Craig T

Why would you spend the money to build a juiced up motor if you didn't intend to abuse it?

Keep in mind, with the PMO's there's no ECU or other parts to swap. This motor just plugs in and plays.

Way to go Craig. Now I have to spend a bunch of time and go searching your build threads...
Any issues with inspection/emissions? A 3.6 with EFI can pass pretty easily. Are the PMOs worth the extra mojo?

[Craig T]

Originally Posted by rbogh901

Way to go Craig. Now I have to spend a bunch of time and go searching your build threads...

Any issues with inspection/emissions? A 3.6 with EFI can pass pretty easily. Are the PMOs worth the extra mojo?

LOL...Sorry.

My tub is a 75, so no need to worry about smog here in CA. 75 and below does not require smog checks.

The PMO's are not perfect, but MUCH MUCH better than the old Webers. They have a little flat spot of rich A/F ratio from 3500-4000 that we can't dial out, but once they hit 4000 rpm they are extremely responsive and sound awesome. On the track they rock.

6,000 mile so far and they haven't needed any re-tuning. It only took a couple dyno pulls to get the jets and emulsion tubes optimal and it runs just the same. The elevation change concerns are overstated as well. I live at sea level and run up the mountains to 7,000 ft all the time. I've also never had any issues with starting. Two pumps of the peddle and it fires right up.

Of course I'm lusting after Al and D-Zugs ITB set-up. I think they could dial out my flat spot, but I'm pleasantly surprised by the PMO's performance.

[clutch-monkey]

i dropped my car off and it came out with a 3.6 with RS cams and boxster S brakes - $14k AUD later. engine is still strong 7 years on.
not a cheap swap but not too bad either as far as things go (i was not in a position to do any work myself).